The Politics of Revenge and Hatred

Two news stories caught my attention this week , and in part explains why I did not turn on my TV for an entire month , and by choice avoid all other mediums of the corrupted and bias global conglomerate media empires. It can be depressing indeed, and often borders on state or corporate manipulation , that if Karl Marx was alive today and faced with the choice of categorizing organize religion, or the mass media as ‘the opiate of the people,’ religion would have obtained a distant second I am certain.
News of Britain’s possible complicity in the early release of Al-Megrahi a former Libyan terror convict due to a wink , wink deal between both countries threatens to shake the sensibilities of a few outraged families of Pan Am Flight 103 plane bombing of 259 victims for a while . http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/22/britain-under-pressure-to_n_265918.html
Nothing new here some skeptics would say, as this just confirmed what many including myself suspected when Libya initially decided to come clean by acknowledging their complicit role in the affair, as well as it’s seemingly erratic leader deciding to halt his quest to being the second Islamic nation beside Pakistan to defy the UN and most of the wishes of international community and try to acquire nuclear technology towards building an atomic bomb.
The other story was the first time interview and apology by former convict William Calley for his role in the My Lai Vietnam massacre that resulted in the murder of 22 innocent people in 1968.
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/story/813820.html
Back then Calley claimed like Hitler’s Nazi disciples to be following orders. I am certain that if pressed , this Libyan terrorist with a few months to live due to ill health would also admit that he was doing the same as he basked in the inexplicable glory of a heroes welcome to Tripoli. The irony here also is that Calley was sentenced to life , but paroled by the army to live a life of peace in the South .Just think Tom Ridge finally admitting after the fact that his Homeland Security terror alert were a hoax to aid his Commander in Chief and Christian MBA President George W. Bush. Tell us something we did not know in real time Ridge – like when you are not trying to promote a book.
http://www.kfsm.com/news/sns-ap-us-ridge-terror-alert,0,3317204.story
There are those that still want to believe that the former President was a failure , as a result of the economic woes of the country , and it’s links to the Iraq and Afghan global war on terror, but that’s because many still do not appreciate how like their British counterparts and cousins , Americans are able to benefit from war and evil . Need we say Black water?
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090817/scahill2
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0811-20.htm

Do you think that lessons can be learnt by the Obama Administration as they too continue to stage the two prong wars on citizens of both unfortunate , overwhelmed countries ? The politics of deception , revenge, and hatred can be very deep and costly indeed. We know by now why those we label as evil commit them , do we however have the courage to figure out why seemingly good folks do the same?

Knowledge, dreams ,& the quest for power?

“The Mouse dream dreams that would terrify the Cat.”
                                                                          Anonymous
As a kid growing up , I had the unfortunate , or perhaps good fortune   like the present  President of the United States, of  not having a father in my life to mold my character and teach me the basic everyday things that  are  important  for my wholesome development.  Like him once more, I had to depend on  the actions and support of  a few members of the extended family. In my case it was my wonderful  Grandmother ,and to a great  extent  a special uncle . To them both I’ll be forever   grateful.  Just for the record , I did not have a PhD  mom that  would read to me four hours  per day before I go to a  lofty private school ., neither did I posses a 400 inch , 5000 channel flat screen TV , and access to the world via sophisticated broad band internet services.   However, I made the most as I could in terms of education , via the judicious uses of  wholesome  books I could glean from the local library, and so was  able to come through those early years  in one non- dysfunctional piece full of hopes and dreams like any special upper middle class crust kid  would.
    Books therefore  have always played an integral part   in most of my education over the decades  , and I  always enjoyed passing as gifts to others  a book or quote from one that I find appealing or might have influenced my thinking in some fashion. Often times the books you give , though done with good  intentions, might not always produce the desired effects that you anticipated. Here are a few of what some might now be considered as  hilarious examples.
        When my eldest son was  I believe  14 , I gave him a book by one of America’s first and most successful  entrepreneurs , Mr. Reginal Lewis. The book was entitled ,“Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?”: How Reginald Lewis Created a Billion-Dollar Business Empire.” Well , what can I say, but my intentions were noble , I dreamt of planting the seeds of an idea   for a substantial piece of the  American Pie from within my family , with this motivational mechanism. You guessed it, my son never even tried to read a single  page, and this book was left to garner  dust in a storage bin. Two years later I gave him a book by Sanyika Shakur entitled Monster: The Autobiography of an L. A. Gang Member. Interestingly enough , that 379 page book was devoured in perhaps 48 hours. Since I am not a social scientist, I prefer not to speculate as to why such was the case . Ok ,I cannot help myself ,and would suggest that  perhaps it’s due to the strong influences of urban city culture, and glorification of  gang violence by the media via the successful movies  Scarface and the Godfathers trilogies .

     About two years ago ,I gave a  lonely ,and often angry female  a book for her birthday entitled  “Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time”  by Keith Ferrazzi . In this book the master networking pro laid out a sound blueprint that winners and successful people  used as they reach out and connect with others and  strive to achieve goals and dreams. Unfortunately, the young lady in question , misconstrued my motives particularly based on the title and opted   to shy away from me for almost a year , perhaps as she felt that I had some personal  romantic interest in her, and therefore the gift was a subtle ploy.
  In my first job as a young  police officer  a few moons  ago, I gave one of my bosses a book that I enjoyed reading very much. It was entitled  The Peter Principle : Why Things Always Go Wrong , and was written by Lawrence J Peter. It was a book that focus on issues such as incompetence, in efficiency and how  the negative effects of  bureaucracy can stifle organization’s performances. In the security trade we often speak about rookie mistakes , and let’s just say that this was my first.

      Just yesterday, I got me two lovely books from  Barnes & Nobles  that I think might be  useful in these recessionary times . These were, Rules of Thumbs  by Alan M. Webber co Founder of Fast Company  Magazine, and    Paul Zane Pilzer , Economist and bestselling  author    of   “The Next Trillion & The wellness revolution.”  The names speaks for themselves, and  I look forward to reading and absorbing  most.
 Don’t  worry friends or kids , these are  for my personal uses.  I have a dream myself.

A Mexican mask for Dime :- Montezuma’s revenge or Non regulated capitalist dream.

“I just purchase this mask for a dime in Mexico City,” claimed the proud ,and grateful man as he grinned for the CNN camera and journalist questioner . We then listened to the glamorous journalist joke dismissively about the futility in trying to protect oneself from swine flue by using such devices. Better yet, “more people die yearly from the common cold across America ,than can ever do with this animal disease claimed CNN head health guru Dr. Sanjay Gupta ,as he too did his part to lend his expertise so as to reassure a worried nation , along with the rest of the world.
http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/

Not surprisingly ,the loud mouth ideologues on both side of the 4th Estate divide , immediately began to capitalize on the pending global tragedy by doing their part on behalf of both political party by throwing blame. http://michellemalkin.com/2009/04/27/of-course-swine-flu-is-all-the-evil-gops-fault/
http://www.frugal-cafe.com/public_html/frugal-blog/frugal-cafe-blogzone/2009/04/27/swine-flu-outbreak-should-we-blame-george-w-bush/ Can gridlock now get a rest in Washington , to enable a coherent Obama policy via the nomination of a HHS Secretary ? Perhaps not , as changes are difficult in politics, especially for the world’s greatest democracy. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/147586.php

The CDC apparently is fighting a loosing battle attempting to reassure the people that all is fine. Should we take their words as gospel after Mad Cow Disease (BSE), SARSs,and other pandemics that threatened the USA . http://medicalcrises.blogspot.com/
One should just not treat lightly the few suspected cases of swine flue in NYC . I would leave it to the skeptics that think it’s the worked for kids that wish for a day off or border state immigrant phobic governors and officials at work . They are quick to add that food is not the issue as stocks pummel from Tyson and other food industries. The pharmaceutical vaccine industry is doing well according to the news, as desperate folks run for drugs to save their health from any pending problems. The travel industry is in a tailspin. No more Cancun escapades ? Two weeks ago American were worried about visiting Mexico due to the influx of guns and the uncontrollable state of criminal enterprises. Americans are cautioning travels to and from Mexico , but worried over Europeans temptations to do the same for the USA. Containment however seems impossible according to WHO officials. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30398682/
http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/features/health/20090427_ap_swineflupromptseuwarningontraveltous.html

Mexican officials begged for sensitivity and help for the social plight of their citizens due to the actions of successful gun dealers ,but to no avail. I am certain that some might want to look at Washington for help on this global problem. http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn7261 I won’t hold my breath if I were any of the 20 million of its major city that are grabbing a mask ten dimes. America got a bigger problem to deal with and it is not in Huston like the Tom Hanks space movie, but all around America as the construction of the walls continues unabated – or perhaps one of it’s many border states still wishes to secede. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/politics/
This is certainly not the kind of news that the global economy was hoping for I am certain. Perhaps the new President was on to something when he became one of only five President in 100 years to visit Mexico . The skeptics are feeling vindicated due to sudden demise of one of Mexico’s top officials Felipe Solis, who gave President Obama a personal tour of one of it‘s historical sites. http://cryptogon.com/?p=8223
Let see if multilateral efforts are going to become the norm as we try to halt the devastating fall out effects. http://www.newscientist.com/topic/epidemic
Most importantly however is the following pertinent question. Can America continue to neglect it’s global responsibilities to be a moral leader in the pursuit of a ‘war on unchecked capitalist greed’ particularly in developed, emerging, and developing states throughout the world ? I believe that t is now time for the President to redefine the concept of “National Interest.” A first step is strengthening the efforts of global multilateral organizations ? Anyone disagree with this view?

Oh Canada, America, Great Britannia, & World!

The lure to any of these great Northern metropolitan giants for a member of the Global South- or as some prefer the Third World region -can be very attractive one must admit. Success can at times depend on luck, but in most cases social class and economic circumstances going in to the country can make a significant difference I have observed. It is my view that sometimes the biggest impact can occur on the lives of the young children.  Let me put forward a few examples to indicate some of the challenges some have encounter.

   A female I know decided to leave her two very young sons with her abusive husband, as she escaped a tiny French speaking Caribbean island to become an immigrant in another island. These two kids eventually grew up to be adults in France where they migrated, but never were able to bond with their mom as they continually blamed her for abandoning them for a better life. The female in question upon settling in her new country, met another immigrant and their relationship produced five kids in quick succession- Two sets of twins and a boy one year apart. The father of her five young kids then migrated to England and spends over twenty eight years before returning for a very brief visit in possession of a British accent. During the period of his stay in England he never provided any support, neither did he respond to a single letter of theirs, even if he remained at the same address for the entire period. One can well imagine the dysfunction   that emanated in both families, as a result of this sense of betrayal.

      A twenty- eight year old mother left her eleven year old daughter with friends as she went in search and fortune in Canada. Six years later she returned permanently with immigration closely on her heels but not before her daughter had her first child by the age of fifteen. The baby died soon after childbirth, and her mom then went on to have four more children over the years with three different males along with three marriages. One marriage produced no kids, but the husband ended up on Death Row for murder. The other produced two children, but the husband eventually migrated to Canada. He provided no support, and had absolutely no intention of filing for his daughter and son, who again was crushed by this sense of betrayal. The last marriage produced one son , but  the father eventually acquired the most dreaded disease of the 20^th century after it was first contacted from her ex Canadian husband as a result of him having unprotected  sex  with her during his occasional visits home  from abroad .

 There are of course countless middle and upper class folks that have made the trek to developed countries in search of education and remained so a to ensure a better life both for themselves and their families long into the future. These examples listed are on the lower echelon of the social class, often without the status and tools to fully aid off springs in the short run. Many stay at home long into future as they fantasize about a rich and abundant life. A few were able to work against overwhelming odds to develop in spite of absentee parents, but others were fortunate to join foreign based parents but not before social and psychological scars that follow them to the big metropolis where indulgence  can have dire consequences. Let’s just say that life is too complex and important to many times leave to racially tinged and haphazard immigration policies by developed countries. The biggest irony is that five hundred years ago Europeans and others were coming out of the dark ages and trying to escape to the new world in search of fame and fortune without the need for a passport, but only a dream. Today, economic and political refugees, as well as productive skilled human beings that are often invited or volunteer of their own free will to enter a new developed world with similar dreams as their many previous Historic counterparts.

 

Global Security, a paradox

                         

      

 

                         Can nuclear deterrence work in making the world safer?

 

 

       Throughout   the history of mankind, fellow humans have found a way to unleashed some of the most barbaric, and callous acts on one another. A few have stood out and their after effects are sometimes felt even on to present time. One such was the dehumanizing European African Slave trade, and the eventual enslavement of millions of Africans and their descendants in the Caribbean and America. The other was the Jewish Holocaust conducted by the Germans. Within recent times we saw two blatant acts of genocide committed in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda in full view of a reticent Europe, and the United Nations. Although these several acts from irked the conscience of many, it was the unloading of two atomic bombs by America on the Japanese people that shook the world and the sensibilities of all. This superior technology resulted in massive instantaneous devastation of the two cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.[1] It also saw the demise of close to 200, 000 lives, many of which were innocent civilians. [2]Most importantly, it did achieve its main objective as planned by then Commander in Chief President Harry S. Truman. It was able to finally coerce the Japanese military and government hierarchy to surrender and end a war that was destine to cost many more American military lives had it prolonged indefinitely.

             The fall out from the introduction of this powerful technology in the equation was tremendous. It saw a tremendous spike in interest for nuclear weapons technology by most nations. The United States military power improved and it status already embolden by Europe’s destruction, spiraled upwards to Superpower levels even more. The United States and the USSR began a nuclear arms race and a 40 year ideological Cold War. An interesting fact emerged; no country has since used the nuclear technology on another to the same degree. The two Cold war protagonist huffed and puffed but never used the weapons against each other in fear of the consequences. It did not however stop some 291 interstate conflicts from being fought with conventional arms- many proxy wars of the super powers themselves – that eventually resulted in 22 millions lost lives. [3]

     Even after this most convincing data about the amount of conflicts across the globe, there are social scientist that subscribe to the view that the acquisition of nuclear weapons is the best partway to peace. By this they obviously mean, nuclear peace. It should be noted again that none of the eight known countries that knowingly have nuclear weapons ever used it against each other, and this has therefore created a new dilemma.  Some new emerging countries with the means at their disposal are tempted to acquire the technology primarily because of this fact. In addition, they have become fearful for their own safety especially since the protective umbrella that existed under the Cold war protection has since evaporated at “the end of history.”

    Libya and Iraq are no longer interested, one voluntarily, the other by force. Iran and North Korea are presently under the radar as tensions and post Cold War power realities are seen to prevail in their respective regions. These countries are tempted to resist what they perceive as ethno –centric, Western, neo- imperialist thinking that tend to imply that they as third world countries lack the rational calculations of their more developed counterparts to acquire nuclear technology and use it for peaceful purposes. [4]

         The ugly specter of global terrorism has raised its head, and the world is in panic mode. One of the rumors that is often repeated and has fast been accepted as absolute truth is that these are rouge states that sponsored terrorist in the past, and are still terrorist sympathizers. Should they be allowed to follow the Non Proliferation Treaty international law, and get access to peaceful nuclear energy technology like half the world did, they might allow it to get into the hands of dangerous non- state -actors that can possibly use it against the entire world. Apparently it was done before, by US ally and  a country that today leads the war on terror  - Pakistan, led by ‘nuclear globalization scientist’ Dr A Q. Khan.  [5]  No one promised an easy gateway to power and peace in “a Hobbesian world that has become according to nasty, brutish and short,”[6] especially with the 1945 introduction of dangerous nuclear weapons technology.

---

[1] Frank, Richard B. (1999). Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire, pp. 285-287, New York: Penguin Books.

[2] Milton Terris, Nuclear Warhead Triggers, (Journal of Public Health Policy, Vol. 23, No. 4. (2002), p. 506.

[3] John Simpson, Nuclear Non-Proliferation in the Post-Cold War Era, International Affairs (Royal Institute of International Affairs 1944-), Vol. 70, No. 1. (Jan., 1994), pp. 17-39.

 

[4] Kenneth N. Waltz, The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: More May Be Better, Adelphi Paper No. 171 (London: International Institute for Strategic Studies, 1981

[5] Sharon Squassoni, Iran’s Nuclear Program: Recent Developments, Congressional Research Service Report for Congress, Department of Navy, Historical Library, DC, 05 October 2005

[6]Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, Touchstone edition,  1997,New York http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl302/texts/hobbes/leviathan-c.html

Passing the Buck, Loyalty & Merit of Ouija Boards

                

          Every once in a while a few media pundits and historians  enjoy putting out their love fest meter and try to decide who was a great President and who was a dismal failure. It doesn’t really prove anything or change the minds of ideologues within the fan base of both prominent political parties , but makes the so called experts look important so that they can get invited to future conventions, Presidential libraries christenings, and   funerals where appropriate. Almost like what occurs often with movie and food critics, if you get my drift.  Can I say free passes to watch more boring movies, and extra portions of tasteless foods in the future for doing hatchet jobs on the opponent’s movies or restaurants? I  am also talking about Presidents that blatantly break the law  and try to weasel their ways out  either with a brazen lie , feign ignorance, or to simply  pass the buck  to some low level , non elected official that quietly resign  and await a Presidential pardon down the road.

           Now that the war drums are being pounded in Washington and parts of the Middle East for another preemptive strike on another troublesome nation, it is not a bad time to reexamine the twisted legacy of Ronald Reagan. To many American that experienced the humiliation of Vietnam, Richard ‘I am not a crook’ Nixon, and the Bible toting Peanut farmer peace nut   from Georgia, the entrance upon the stage of Reagan was welcome. Yes he was a two bit second rate actor from Hollywood that many knew was not too bright, but he looked good , said his lines well  and in essence   worked the script that was trotted out ever so often  by his handlers correct? Hey he was believed to be a though guy, and that’s all you need to put the fear in hearts of the loonies in places such as Iran.

      I remembered well that immediately upon recognizing that Uncle Ron would assume power handed over those poor suffering embassy officials, did he not? Not only that, it was the Gipper’s toughness that solely won the Cold War correct?  I say to hell with Gobachev and his Glasnost and Perestroika mantra. What do Nobel revisionist freaks know? It was Ronald’s command to ‘break those walls down,’ or else, that did the trick. But I digress; Reagan was great except for one small blimp. He broke the law and it involved Iran, Israel, Nicaragua, Contras, anti- Sandinistas, Oliver North, National Security Council, illegal weapons sales,  anti-communism, allegations of arms  trade  for hostage, destruction and withholding evidence from Congress, acceptation of some culpability for misdeeds by the President , fourteen administration officials charged , eleven convicted  and eventually pardoned, including the Secretary of Defense. Not a bad record by one of Americas great President I think.

 

     Now let’s fast forward to today and see what we have. The ugly specter of Iran looms again. We also have two pointless wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that threatens to make Vietnam, and WW 1& 11 together look link spitball child’s play in your backyard as you await another portion of smoked ribs. You have a restless and agitated Israel, jittery and humiliated Sunni Muslims, and scared Shiites especially in Iran looking up in the skies to see when they are going to get attacked. Most importantly you have and American people that are paying dearly in the high prices of oil and gas, as well as a stagnant economy and lack of national guards as well and depleted resources to strengthen domestic infrastructures, that will ensure concrete protections at home against natural and man made disasters. You also have a Best Selling Author and generally incompetent former press secretary about to testify in Congress as to whether he know for a fact if the President or one of his Machiavellian hatchet men  and or handlers ,ousted a CIA operative in  some sort of vengeful and vindictive retaliation for her political  cantankerous husband.

      Now there are those that find politics to be boring and lacking intrigue, but yet would sit for hours and watch a car race four hundred times around a track, or grown men beat horse race to a finish line – go figure. For guys like me and the perhaps the late Tim Russert, politics is everything, and can get your adrenaline flowing to almost similar degrees as shall I say sex?  Anyway think of the ironic role of winning the Presidency and its importance for a Presidential pardon. Without President Ford, Nixon might have become the first President to go to jail. Without G H Bush half the Reagan’s administration would have also followed that route, and now without John Mc Cain the President would have to see his future grand daughter from prison after impeachment for an illegal war.  No, I do not mean that, as American Presidents do not go to jail, but their underlings do. Watch Karl Rove, you have been warned. There is more than adequate time to still find a country that does not have extradition treaty with the USA. You got to move quickly however, these countries are running out.  Libya   is no longer a rogue state; they are now our good guys since Quadaffi saw what happed to Saddam and changed his ways. Remember if Obama wins so would Iran and Cuba, as he enjoys talking and open negotiations. Say no to covert operations. It rhymes well with “say no to drugs,”doesn’t it? Hey, who moved my Ouija board? They can be so useful when trying to figure out important domestic and international affairs. At least that’s what a famous First spouse of a great President thought, and it just might still work.

Pulling the Rug

                                                    

 

“We create an environment where it is alright to hate, to steal, to cheat, and to lie if we dress it up with symbols of respectability, dignity and love.”

-Whitney Moore, Jr.

 

      Are the rules different for black politicians and their families in America? One is tempted to think so. In my conversations on the subject of race in the past, I’ve always tried to make one significant point. It is that any abhorrent subtle racist behaviors you notice in any institution within the society, is merely a reflection of the underlying problem that exists throughout the country as a whole. It is the bogeyman that we refused to address since the end of the official  end of  slavery and the  Civil War, but which refuse to go away anytime soon.  It can be seen everyday within the job market, judiciary, law enforcement activities, politics, sports, or most importantly the media. ‘Obama opted out of public campaign financing,’ is a recent headline that is getting a big play by our present Republican Presidential nominee Senator John Mc Cain and his cohorts in the media.

      The implications of these reactions are to indicate that the Democratic nominee is a liar for reneging on a promise to forgo public financing on future Presidential campaign that he made in 2007. In his defense Senator Obama claimed that 1.5 million grassroots members of the general public helped finance his primary campaign via small donations on the Internet, thus setting a new trend and record amounts of money for his campaign.  He was not prepared to removeany possible advantage he possessed and give up the vast money chest. In the Mc Cain case he had talked a lot about campaign reform, but did very little to change it through the years. He is the beneficiary of the old Republican money machine and has enjoyed it for decades. Do not forget that like former Democrat nominee John Kerry, he has married well, and his wife Cindy like Teresa is a multimillionaire.  This was however been completely ignored by the media at large. It is the public that might be the losers on the score unfortunately.

      Another issue that has me somewhat perplexed is the almost silent role of the feminist movement that was so vicarious in trying to make a case  of sexism by the media against Hilary Clinton each time she  had a negative comment or portrayal  made against her. Today Michelle Obama is fair game for all, even the gentile Philanthropist and beer heiress Cindy Mc Cain. One can remember the exuberant and unscripted Michelle indicating that she was very happy after a recent State’s victory for her husband, and “for the first time really proud of her country.” This was interpreted by a few sleazy politicians, and the media talking heads, that she was unpatriotic. It is unfortunate that political ambition has   overtaken the wife of Senator Mc Cain for she too has jumped on the bandwagon to declare that unlike the Ivy League graduate Michelle, she loves her country.  I guess that the cat fight will commence, as the millionaire and Ivy League try and decide who loves their country more. Remember there was also a veil attack by a certain Admiral’s son, as to who more deserved to be President because he wore a uniform, and served in Vietnam? O what a difference eight years can bring, now the victims of smear campaigns and attacks by Republican political enemies are the aggressors. O what a great Republic indeed!

The Religious Grey Zone: A paradox

 

Do not refuse a wing to the person who gave you the whole chicken.

R. G. H. SIU

 

       Can anyone please show a little love and understanding for the African peoples in the global village when it comes to the delicate matter of God and religion? By this I mean that historically, every other conceivable race on earth was blessed with some distinctive religion that they can consider their own. We all as you know clamor for some type of belief in a higher being during times of struggles. What is the religion for African peoples scattered across the globe? In Africa the problem is simple to analyze as over 85% of them combined are Christians and Muslims. [1] Both are religions of conquest either by the invading Arabs that introduce slavery, or European colonizers that suppressed, divided, and exported them for profits to the colonies in the West Indies and North America. Not surprisingly, Africahas witnessed some of the worst atrocities by the hands of Africans on Africans, be it white or black. Political ideology could not bring the many tribes together as it often did in similarly fragmented continents. It is why today fellow Americans should find it in their hearts to give a bit of breathing room to Obama our future Commander in Chief. He has successfully meandered his way around several silos that were headed his way on many issues, but one more persist in representing his Achilles heels for the next five months before his swearing ceremony.  His acceptance or not of Black Liberation Theology principles as practice by arch guru  Rev Jeremiah Alvesta Wright, Jr. of  the Chicago Trinity United Church.

        I do understand the paradox of religion as it relates to the lives of African Americans. You can bet your life that most  Americans  that graduated beyond high school also understand the powerful influences of the church for a people that sees themselves as oppressed  and are striving for a piece of the American pie. Even if some respond in disbelief, America as a nation of immigrants has always treasured its diverse religions and the freedom to so practice.   I’ll reiterate again, religion brings people together, gives them a sense of connection and history, keeps them focus on goals and helps them handle the daily earthly struggles they encounter each day. It was European religious persecution and pride that help create America over 200 years ago. It was that connection and consciousness that helped saved countless Jews and millions of Europeans during and in the aftermath of WW11. Need I say The Marshall Plan, forty years of political protection from communism, and the formation and support of Israel, and creation of the United Nations? Can any one remember the protestant ethics and its links to American and European capitalist rise by Marx Webber?  These are all noble things that one can point to and give credit to religion as an influential catalyst .I need not say more.

     To African Americans however, the Euro centric religions contributed to their plight and ensured their perennial state of second class citizenry.[2]Many today look with mixed feelings at the roles of Malcrom X, Elijah Mohammed, Farrakhan, and the likes of Martin Luther King, and yearn for a religion that can do for them in similar fashion that Judaism did for its main advocates, and what Christianity did for Europeans and Europe. They therefore ask what about me?  Why were 800,000 Christian Africans allowed to die in Rwanda, millions of Christians and Muslims Africans in Sudan, Thousands of Nigerian Christians and Muslims devour each other and Kosovo and the Middle East receive the entire spotlight?   

 

     Can you begin to understand the dilemma for a young Obama and millions of ex African slaves dispersed across the globe from America to Europe and the Caribbean? Those two religions in their purest forms just won’t cut it for Black people. Like sheep lost in the wilderness they tend to experiment and dabble with every conceivable form of religion, but nevertheless emptiness and disconnect exist and perhaps more than anything can explain the multitudes of social, economic and political problems that is encounter everywhere.

     To illustrate my point as to some of our problems, let me give an example. Approximately thirteen years ago I was fortunate to be part of a security detail for a UN Peace negotiating team in Afghanistan. The objective then was to spearhead the peaceful handover of power from the dreaded Mujahadeen that chased the Soviets out, to a new mutually acceptable government. At the same time the UN contingent had to keep a close eye on the then mysterious Taliban tugs or scholars – depending on who is doing the defining- that were successfully fighting to overrun the country. An amusing story was one day told to me about an unfortunate Sudanese Christian man that served in Afghanistanat one time. He had tried for some time to pass himself off as a Muslim to one of the former Prime Minister and a major Commander Gulbadin Hekmatyar . One day he was requested to lead a meeting in holy pray but was detected as an imposter. His folly and fraudulent ploy was discovered as he tried to mimic the traditional Islamic rituals which he knew nothing about. This action nearly cost him his life as he was beaten mercilessly to almost an inch of life, and then eventually kicked out of the country. So much for solidarity, but some people, particularly Afghans Warlords, take their religion very seriously.

      I as a result of this story made sure to set the record straight for any of the hundreds of Kalashnikov carrying young men that approached be to ask if I was Sudanese. My answer was always an emphatic no, but a Buddhist and man of peace. I simply had no intention to experience a similar fate. So these are some of the predicaments face by people of African descent due to the absence of a concrete religion of their own.  Surely we can now almost have some sympathy -thanks to what I have now alluded to- for the Democratic Presidential nominee Barrack Obama on his religious associations’ foibles.  Both him and his wife take great pains to remind every that he was that skinny mulatto kid from Hawaii with the large ears, Kansan adventurous mom, absent father that did well by hard work and education. He found his way on the South side of Chicago and ran smack in to charismatic Black Liberation Theology advocate Rev Wright. The man was able to offer spiritual and social guidance to a young man suffering an identity crisis. He could have made millions in the corporate world, but decided to follow a different cause of service in much the same way as others before him.

     To address matters of alienations, poverty, despair, and hopelessness and not be affected in some fashion is akin to making an omelet without breaking an egg. Priest, Reverends and participants in the social and political struggles, have no choice but to roll up their sleeves, get into the trenches, and dirty their hands. A funny kid with an exotic name, raise by Caucasian grand parents has political ambitions as well. They do not however have the luxury to marry elite girlfriends from the North Side of Chicago and chart an easy part to the White House. They cannot use the power of ex Presidents to charm themselves into receiving millions, and help propel billion dollars philanthropic enterprises into the American consciousness. Instead they have to use what is available to them the power of spirituality as it is unique to a people. Yes, Black Liberation Theology gave Nobel winner Desmond Tutu the power to help focus on and eventually end barbaric Apartheid in South Africa. Haiti’s Father Aristied withstood Pope John Paul and the Vatican establishment until he was overthrown from power. For a moment the struggling people of Haiti that started this movement some 207 years ago as the first liberated slave colony thought they could find their own promise land on earth.

     Yes the Black Liberation Theology   principles and concerns are alive and well in America today as they were in Martin Luther’s time. For the record, millions of passionate and patriotic young black men have joined the Black Muslim faith in America. More than half including Malcorm X was as a result of incarceration. Contrary to fervently held media portrayals, they do love their country and would do nothing to harm it. However like others in the Christian realm they too want to see positive things done both for themselves and communities. We have therefore seen manifestations of black pride, consciousness, giving, and caring for their fellow human within their milieu, and globally people’s struggles are in existence. It is what all good decent Americans would like, and have done through the decades. The now respected pro- Vietnamantiwar proponent, Mohammed Ali would agree. The torch has now been extended to this Immigrant descendant Barrack Obama. It is left to be seen, if Americahas matured as a nation. They did not allow phobia of Catholicism to prevent them from electing another descendent of Immigrant in JFK.  Let’s enter the Religious Grey Zone that has repeatedly manifested itself in the fabric of American politics. We will observe where it leads as matters of character, vision, change, strength and security are resolved. The world I believe is desperately waiting for leadership and the results of collectively progressive forces.

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[1]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Traditional_Religion

[2]http://home.earthlink.net/~ronrhodes/BlackTheology.html

Friends like these

 

 

In politics shared hatreds are almost always the basis of friendships.
Alexis de Tocqueville

 

 

 Sometimes I believe that the biggest challenge for any leader is to know how to lose with dignity or be magnanimous in victory. Some of the most startling thing have been known to occur by individuals and groups that recognize that defeat or victory  is eminent. In war we heard of tales of pillage , destruction of property and supplies for fear it might fall into enemy hands, as well as  blatant incidents of genocide and other atrocities  under such circumstances. Rumor has it that the Lincoln bedroom and other major offices were not left in a stellar condition as protocol dictated when the  Clintons  vacated the Whitehouse in 2000.Perhaps we should  however reserve judgement on such information at least until we can a chance to read Scott Mc Callain’s new book ‘What Happened,’ as there might just be some politically motivated distortions . One never knows in politics today.

In the aftermath of WW11 defeat at the hands of the allies Japan and Germany found themselves in  a somewhat similar predicament.    Unlike the US  two  major wars in Asia and the Middle , both countries  knew fully well that they  were beaten to a frazzle by allies led by the USA. It would have been very easy to rub the Germans and Japanese faces in the mud after their defeat, but such would have been counterproductive it was felt.

There were those including advises such as Samuel Rosenman that pushed FDR and later Truman for severe punishment towards Germany. These wise leaders however resisted such actions recognizing the fallout that can again accrue from draconian overtures on Germany by victorious allies .Instead they utilized Germany’s  technological strength and ingenuity  to help  spur the rapid redevelopment of Germany. President Truman, a strong willed and independent Missouri ex Senator used similar strategies for the ailing Japan. He allowed the country’s  then Emperor to survive so that  he  could eventually emerge as a symbol of hope for the humiliated Japanese people in the aftermath of a most devastating loss in a war. In the post frimary celebrations , it is not too surprising  to  see many political pundits  that are keeping a keen eye on the Obama camp to see how or if they reach out to the Clinton folks with , and likewise how she functions in defeat with him  with her  millions  of supporters .

   As I have alluded to before the choice of a VP is a big decision, and the result of a choice can have far reaching implications on the fortunes of future governments. One would hope that the end game is always the defeat of the opposition. If so, then logical choices must always be influenced by that decision. Gerald Ford,Dick Cheny, Al Gore, George H Bush, Harry Truman, all had a certain distinctive quality that served there  respective Presidents well .  One needs team players like these to suceede in in political battles . It is definitely needed today in such  tumultuous times. To have a over zealous ,and ambitious person nipping at your heels and critically and publically over analizing every decision can  sink your Presidency faster than you can say  chop liver. As one observed the post primary speeches one sees several subtle hints as to future  manouvers . Efforts of reconciliation and healing of the party by Obama are evident as he extend an olive branch .  The same applies to Hillary I am sure, but other calculations are at work including the  subtle hint  of a possible VP spot by a crafty lawyer and Washington insider.    Let’s see if the future commander in chief can work under pressure and make his first major and perhaps life preserving decision wisely.  It was Harry Truman who made the tough decisions that would have crushed weaker men.  He was  the one with the  famous line  that can initially gave us a peek at his grit and character. This he did by saying that  “the bucks stop here.” Had he thought differently  before dropping that historic atomic bomb, Americans might well be all fluent in Japanese today as the result could have been different against the discipline, formidable , and tenacious Japanese military.  Leadership   and decision making are crucial   acts for any Potential President. Would some one with the such audacity to hope please step forward and save the obviously headless and clueless  party from further mayhem? It is not surprising that they have not seen the inside of the Whitehouse more than twelve years in the past  three decades.Such indecisiveness and penchant for bickering and divisions might well force them to remain in that bridesmade posture for a while, unless  unless….hey you never know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Open Letter to Mr Obama

                                                                   

 

 

 

Dear Mr Obama, I guess congratulations are in order. By the time you get a chance to read this letter you might have clinched the Democratic nomination and a chance to run against the good Colonel from Arizona in the general Election come fall. This is  and exciting moment for all Americans. It is certainly wonderful to have an intelligent caring person with sound American morals, a true patriot with a keen eye for ensuring that we live in a safe and sound world with Americaat the helm. You have rallied well from the many salvos that were thrown your way. Now the real journey begins .You should not delude yourself in any way into believing that you are going to get some cakewalk forward. If you were to think that way then you are naive and have a limited under standing of what ambition is. You thought Hilary was though, well done be fooled by the Colonel’s age, nor by Hannity, and the Bills – O ‘Riley and Clinton that is. While you are at it pay attention to dsgruntled curcasian  females like that rambunctious New Yorker Harriet Christian. Do not for a moment believe that passionate, prejudicial, and racist condescending folks only come from the south. Come to think of it, the south might just be justified – they lost the war and their economic lively hood when all the ungrateful slaves ran away after emancipation. Southern folks are legendary with their anger, and hate loosing especially against what they  consider as  intellectual, uppity yuppies with exotic names. Keep an eye on Need I say Bill? Did I hear you mumble that you only ran against Hilary? With attitude like that my friend, the only changes you will be initiating come fall will be to your Senatorial quarters in Chicago your home town. Be forewarned, and therefore forearmed.

        Now let us move on to the more serious and pertinent matters at hand. Keep the wife in check for heavens sake. Rumor has it that she might be your weakest link. I’ll give you one of my basic philosophical mantras; it is that “nothing succeeds like success.” Why not emulate the many who have come before and done well with respect to the wives? I know, you have already introduced yourself as an agent of change and cannot look to flip flop on such a fundamental issue. Well, guess what, still keep that ‘Princetonian’ yuppie Michelle in her place. Smart women like her can make their husband look dumb if they don’t learn proper strategic timing by taking care of the cookies.

     Let me throw a few names out to you and may be you’ll get the picture.  First off, I like to separate pending first spouses into two camps.    They are as follows: Those who are smart, are known that is the case, yet need not thy and prove it and in the process upstage their husband especially before the acquisition of the grand prize. Then there are the others who you need to keep on a tight leash, always with a handler nearby. Let’s grade a few modern ones – Laura Bush- smart woman, Nancy Reagan – smart woman, The President’s Mom Mrs. Bush- smart woman.  Then there is Marilyn Quale, Teresa Kerry, and Tipper Gore. There was something about those latter day  folks that just rubbed good old blue blooded Americans the wrong way. You should recognize that in the interest of fairness I deliberately left out two very famous ladies Hillary and her beyond the grave mentor Eleanor Roosevelt. Both husbands are quite skillful politicians that knew the way to control their spouses was to keep them busy, while they as men  were free to do whatever their wives did not wish they do. Am I being logical thus far?

       As you move forward in this final phase you must learn a few things such as holding your thoughts and mouth in check at times. You cannot always lay it out. Keep denouncing traditional enemies and pander and cuddle friends as is the norm. Yes, I know, change! America is a democracy, and not England. We do not deal with anachronistic traditions such as manifestos. Our President must not be made to feel   constricted in any way. The outgoing President may say he left a surplus, and when you audit the books, it may really be a deficit.  Always be prepared for surprises, no one planned for yuppie disgruntled Muslims terrorist and natural disasters of such proportion as Katrina.

  I am going to now present your most important pre -presidential challenge. Please choose a VP wisely. Remember my philosophical mantra on success? It may mean the difference between political suicide, and an opportunity to crash the Mt Rushmore party with the likes of Jefferson, Lincoln, TD Roosevelt, and Washington someday together with your own holiday. By the way, I like your modesty about your ears.   You might not know but your large ears is not such an impediment but might have worked in your favor on if one can judge by the polls – Mr Mc Cain is trailing. It is only you that can decide why you choose some one. Is it to bolster your image, balance the ticket geographically, but whatever    you decide, YOU WANT TO WIN!  None of that Hillary nonsense that woman knows her US history too well.

     While we are on the subject, do not forget to wish the liberal lion that we all adore Mr.  Ted Kennedy, a speedy recovery. Talk about a courageous man with love for his country. That’s what leadership is all about, and not polls.  Leave the Caucasian woman or Hispanic folks alone, it just won’t work this time around, and the nation can only take so much at one time. Lack of experience they claim might be your nemesis correct? Well it was also for two other successful Harvard Grads like you. Can you remember who the greatest Senator was in American history? Yes, it was L B Johnson. Without him the handsome and charismatic JFK might still be waddling in Massachusetts without Marilyn or Camelot. Of course, we have the most powerful VP in the history of the country, Mr. Dick Cheney your cousin. Talk about a funny straight shooter. He is already campaigning for you it seems in West Virginia, Utah and Texas. Seems he has some negative feelings about incest. He seems to be leading the fight against Mc Cain for now. That’s experience for you however. Go save America, and good luck my friend- you’ll need it.  I promise to touch base with you as time progress. Stay Strong.

Yours Truly

Regards

Nsquarprof