Put-ing 032614

Ancient cold warriors are finally coming in from the cold shouting, “The Russians are coming, the Russians are coming, we told you so.”

The issue is the Ukrainian ouster of a Russian puppet and its courtship of the European Union.  Russian president Vladimir Putin seized an instability moment by “liberating”, “protecting” or “supporting” a carefully orchestrated Crimean independence movement. 

When the western powers indignantly objected to Russia’s virtual re-annexation of the Crimea, Putin cried “hypocrisy.” Putin has a point; not that it makes his actions anymore palatable.  When the Soviet Union began to implode in the late 20th Century a gleeful West was quick to embrace the splintering Soviet republics as independent democratic States.  They were neither independent nor democratic and most are still neither.

In an era of instantaneous mass communication the Russians were subjected to decades of denigration by western politicians as the West pushed its influence eastward, ever closer to the Russian heartland.  Freed from the moderating Soviet influence the West engaged in a series of interventions, from Eastern Europe, across Africa, the Middle East, Central and South Asia that mostly ended in failures.  These failures have led to continuing regional instability.   Driven by both left and right politicians’ rhetoric aimed at domestic audiences along with the surrounding interventions and denigration angered the Russians.  While condemned by the west, Putin’s actions are playing very well with his own domestic audience.

Unfortunately Ukraine and the Crimea are parts of the Russian historical spirit.  The question is when does political history become irrelevant.  Robert Kaplan calls events a return to geopolitics (the politics of geography). Russia seized Ukraine in the late 18th century and Ottoman Crimea in the late 19th century.  Russians emigrated to both but the Ukrainians remained more or less politically on their own until brought under Soviet control in the early 20th century.  Stalin’s purges suppressed independence interest and along with his ethnic cleansing of Crimean Tartars during the war, brought the region firmly under Soviet Control.  When the NAZIs arrived in the Ukraine they were first seen as liberators but their heavy hand soon created an effective Ukraine resistance movement later crushed by Stalin in the post war era. After Stalin’s death surviving Tartars returned to find their homes occupied by Russians. Khrushchev handed the Crimea to the Ukrainian Soviet Republic, which declared independence upon the Soviet collapse.

For both East and West there are lessons to be learned in the Ukraine.  Historical political justifications have limited validity in the 21st century.  Local political rhetoric has far reaching impacts on international affairs.  Free elections aren’t free in the presents of an occupying army.  Military force is often counterproductive in the long term.  In power politics win-win means you can’t lose, in Asian commerce it means both sides win (a fair deal.)  International affairs can find the Asian model less costly with a little more time spent in open negotiations. Ideologues make poor negotiators.  States have a place at the negotiation table deciding their fate.

Irony 101013

Global Warming is a Democratic fiction according to Tea Party Terrorists (TPT) who states that there is no current scientific research to support the its existence. Their statement is correct, the TPT government shutdown has forced researchers to cease and desist in all things enlightening.  The shutdown has also forced the government to beg for public charity to support military casualties’ survivors.   In an irony adult Republican legislators are now begging Democrats for rescue from terrorism.  The situation would be funny if it wasn’t so serious.  Thousands of government workers can’t meet their obligations.  TPT gleefully denounce them as hogs getting fat rooting in the government trough but thousand, maybe millions more citizens are now also out of work because the Fed can’t pay its bills.  The old and disabled are terrified that they too will soon be starving and on the streets as government subsidies fail to arrive.    Retirees who scrimped and saved for the American Dream have seen their savings disappear as the stock market again plunges at the hands of TPT. The stability and solvency of America is now internationally viewed below that of Greece, Italy and North African States. Republicans are asking will an election endorsement by TPT be the kiss of death at the 2014 polls.

Partytime 100213

I don’t like the Democratic Party but the Republican Party has become absolutely terrifying.  Yes, terrifying because the Grand Old Party of Lincoln is now hostage to a radical group of Tea Party Terrorist (TPT) intent on destruction of over 200 years of American progress. TPT groups are anti-American, opposing integration, immigration, labor, veterans, disaster relief, health care, non-evangelical Christians, non-U.S. Americans and any exercise of freedom of choice.  Although TPT’s platform is inconsistent it does offer America a choice, chose TPT or face national shutdown, default on obligations, financial collapse and the nation driven into an American dark-age.  TPT are very good at flag waving propaganda, although lacking substance it managed to frighten the GOP into cowering in the corner while TPT run amok, exploding political car bombs from Florida, Texas, Michigan etc. to DC.  In the name of party unity the TPT has extorted Republican Party support for their political extremism.  Republicans must recover their backbone and stand up to domestic terrorism and again serve the public’s interest rather than party interest.  After a couple of centuries it is possible that we have finally discovered that the two party experiment is a failure and now must explore a multi-party system. A system where the majority is free to consider the extremes but still has the freedom to govern for the whole.   

Right turn 090713

It appears that the 21st century is making a hard right turn.  In politics the “Right” equates to conservatism while the “Left” refers to liberalism.  Here lies an enigma, just what defines right from left, which leads to the question of right or left of what?

The latter question is relatively easy to understand the measure is from the perspective of a commentator who induces personal bias in a lean either left or right.  This circular reasoning leads back to what is right and left?  A conservative believes the status quo is the correct path while a liberal believes change can improve the human condition. Over time politics swings to and fro between the two views, allowing modernization and eventual compromise equilibrium.  Ultra conservatives however want to reverse course and return the polity to a mythical past where choice was restricted.  Ultra liberals embrace a future of continual change as their utopia.  Between the ultras, there is no middle ground, no compromise, no choice only gridlock. Political warfare rules as the ultras battle for total power.  Humanity becomes hostage to extremist minorities. 

Over time the left and rights have plagiarizing each other’s ideas in pursuit of political power. Determining the direction of political change is difficult when ultras seize the debate and control agendas.  The personal bias of politicians, journalist and other opinion gatekeepers’ obscure issues.  Determining ideological shifts requires ignoring exciting proclamations and rants to search of unbiased truths.  Public studies are narrow in scope presenting an inaccurate political compass, but scientific methodology can serve as a global positioning satellite (GPS) for critical thinking.  Indicators lie on the back pages of obscure newspapers and research journals independent of political dynamics.  Objective analysis of all resulting data provides a more accurate indication of the political direction.

Consider: Open warfare among religious fundamentalists even on less fundamental within the same faith.    Surviving the 20th century labor protections are again facing political attacks and repeal.  Swarms of black garbed, shoot first swat teams who cover up public abuse have replaced friendly neighborhood policing.  Universal suffrage is being obstructed by governments’ actions.  Corruption has become universal. Secret prison are being uncovered in democratic countries.  Under the cloak of anti-terrorism, laws have been passed that curtail individual freedoms.  Secret courts have authorized public surveillance of innocent citizens and arrests without charges or limits.  Neighbor reports of incorrect political thoughts find their way in secret dossiers for future charges. Political prisoners are becoming the norm.  Robotic weapons of mass destruction are being employed with bureaucratic zeal. Some low-tech third world countries now appear more open than long established democracies.

The ultra right seeks to march a millennium backward to time when small elites could control great masses of disenfranchised serfs by draconian laws.  As last vestiges of liberalism disappear the ultra right perceives their utopia.  What they fail to see is that the oppressed will eventually arise swinging the political pendulum in the opposite direction and the struggle will continue.  It is time for moderate right and leftist to recapture their parties, govern for the people to prevent the world from slipping into another Dark Age.

Mr. President 050313

Do not allow militarist at DOD and in Congress drag the nation into Syria.  Active intervention in these wars will only generate greater regional anti-Americanism.  A little critical thinking should ask, if sophisticated chemical weapons were used where are the resulting mass casualties? 

Neither side would waste such weapons without expectation of decisive results.  (NOTE: U.S. and UK claim Syrian Government used Sarin gas, UN on the ground investigators however suspect rebels are responsible for the possible use of gas.  For the rebels decisive result would be to trigger U.S. support of their cause.) Opposition claims are not proofs; the military has a long record of embracing, even inventing, false claims to drag the nation after its war bandwagon.

What is the expected outcome of intervention?  Many different interests are involved in the multi-faceted struggles for power.  Allowing the militarist to support one faction over the others is a sure road to disaster from flawed military choices.  In recent years one only has to look at the mess DOD has already made in Asia and Africa.  It has failed in Iraq, Afghanistan, North Africa and destabilized the region while causing human casualties in pursuit of military political objectives.  In search of a victory it now threatens Syria, Iran Mali, Nigeria and every other place that won’t bow to its overwhelming power.  Insurgencies don’t just happen they are the result of flawed policies and foreign interventions.

The military is good at destruction not construction. It may advise on foreign policy but should never control national policies.  Contrary to militarist claims, Islam is not the enemy, conflicting political interests use militarist rampant anti-Muslim rhetoric to incite mobs and builds resistance movements.  More brave soldiers will die as the militarists pursue political self-interests.

American interest should be to make friends not more enemies.  It should take the high ground of humanitarianism, mediation, refugee protections and offer real assistance for lasting resolutions of regional crisis.  The military’s continued threats and active remote warfare are counter productive as it has already proven across Africa and Asia where the situation is snowballing into hell.  The military is no longer the defender of democracy and law, but rather the lawless in pursuit of territory under its control.  The policies of DOD have become, in effect, military coups at home and abroad.

In 1945 the United States was the strongest and most respected nation in the world. In the half-century since World War Two measures of power have shifted.  While the militarist advocate victory through remote control warfare they fail to realize that technology is universal and a leveler on future battlefields, but real people will still die.

To militarist, peace is an unnatural state that must be prevented whatever the cost, more good soldiers must become casualties for bad causes.  You must regain control of the military before it leads the nation into a final decline and fall of the American Era.

Cutting edge 032513

With great fan fair, the American Transportation Security Agency (TSA) announced that it is relaxing its draconian regulations on what may be carried aboard airplanes.  After ten years of passenger degradation and abuse TSA will in the future allow small knives to be carried aboard, not mentioned were the sewing and manicure sets they also confiscate.  Don’t expect to get back any of the thousands of knives already confiscated.

As limited as the announcement was it touched off a firestorm of protest proving that TSA had at least one success.  It won a propaganda victory by frightening the public that all flights carried a mad terrorist intent on slashing the throat of every high flying little old lady.

The prospect of bearded anarchist wielding a mighty two-inch knife requires a bit of perspective.  The anarchist label became popular around the end of the 19th century denoting any that objected to the rule of oligarchs.  Preferring bombs, true anarchist resorted to violence to overthrow the status quo.

The knife however is an honored universal cultural icon as old as mankind.  The caveman survived because of sharp stones serving as early knives.  As civilization evolved so did the status of knives becoming the symbol of a freeman.  Slaves were denied the honor of carrying a blade.  A possible explanation of TSA's disarming and enslavement of free passengers.

Knifes carved out empires and settled frontiers.  The knife was often a weapon of last resort.  Chronicles are filled with tales of "fit a bear with my Bowie," repelling shark attacks even chopping down forest for shelter.  As knifes pushed back the frontiers the pen became mightier than the sword.  Pens in those day were Quills and penknives replace Bowie knifes as the symbol of free and independent thinkers.

Democracy depends on recorded ideas.  Thomas Paine, Voltaire and Thomas Jefferson all sharpened their quills with penknives.  Even G. Washington carried a penknife in his pocket.  His soldiers carried more substantial pocket knifes for ordinary chores around camp.  Their knives carved breakfast salt pork, kindling for campfires and even dug bullets from their wounds.  Pocket knifes served soldiers in every war. 

Discovering the value of their army pocket knifes; returning soldiers brought them home.  The utility of the knife culture soon included wives and children.  Little boys became men when they inherited dad's pocket knifes.  Primitive pocketknives became big business providing necessary tools in many trades.

When TSA banned pocket knifes they were attempting to destroy cultural freedoms.  Culture has now won a battle against bureaucratic enslavement.  The two-inch blades of penknives must still defend freedom’s culture. The last line of defense against anarchy by “big brother” government is a bright red, Chinese made, Swiss Army knife in every pocket.  

The liberty to carry a knife remains the symbol of a free person.

Pushback 031913

The United States military came out of World War Two with an inflated sense of self worth.  The people who actually won the war either died on beaches like Normandy or quickly left service when their war was over.  They left the new Pentagon to be taken and sacked by determined military and civilian bureaucrat assaults.  Over the years these milcrats have built an empire of self-interest.

The War’s senior general once warned of the dangers of national militarization (Military Industrial Complex), but was ignored.  In the almost 70 years since the war the milcrats have steered the country down many dark alleys of needless death and destruction that has tarnished its mid century greatness. 

These milcrats have looted the national treasury of trillions of dollars for expensive sci-fi toys and plain waste.  With the recent threat of budget cuts the milcrats responded with a plan to cut combat troops to pay for more toys controlled from their overstuffed chairs.

These milcrats crave recognition so they created hero metals like the combat action badge (CAB). This was justified as an award for service troops who fought their way out of ambushes.  The valor of these few was soon lost as milcrats justified their own award of the CAB by traveling down the same road hours after the battle; it’s not their fault they weren’t attacked.   A shiny badge is nice but a colored ribbon is better so the milcrats created a new number two hero metal DWM (Distinguished Warfare Medal).  The justification was that Drone pilots do more damage in one flight than all of history’s Medal of Honor recipients in their short lives.  Must ask, why do we need Colonels flying drones when 12year-olds can do the job much better, probably with less collateral damage?  The kids would follow the rules or lose points for attacking villages and innocent civilians.  If drone pilots can qualify for the number two hero metal from ten thousand miles away it won’t be long before other milcrats justify their own awards for bravery from say a hundred miles or any distant bar stool.

The DWM is the tripping point for pushback.  Veterans groups, next of kin, even Congressmen have taken exception to ranking the DWM above earned combat awards.  The milcrats were quick to defend their right to be recognized.  In both Iraq and Afghanistan the milcrats were required to leave their soft chairs and spent 30 days safely, if uncomfortably, in Forts to justify their Bronze Stars, Legion of Merits and Distinguished Service Medals before running for home.   With the new even higher award there is no need to even leave air-conditioned saloons to tell their war stories.

In reviewing the DWM process Congress should look at the thousands of milcrats who flocked to a 30-day vacation solely for a combat award to cap their colorless 30year careers.  Congress should also pass legislation requiring that all awards for milcrats must be presented in the American cemetery at Normandy.   Milcrats would still take a medal but at least they would be under the tearful eyes of those forgotten “Did and Died” boys.