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.

Mil ethics 021413

A fairy tale, once upon a time military officers honored a code of ethics. In the 21st century a few still try to live by this code, the many however, are now “rational maximizers,” short for I’m above that and what‘s in it for me.

Officers now receive advance schooling on manipulation of public opinion, lying and cover-ups.  In the closed military culture senior leadership matured as a politically dynamic force in power politics.  Generals hang up their uniforms and slide into civil government and military industrial complexes, carrying their outside any law attitude, infecting the national ethical infrastructures. 

Junior officers see the rewards of ethical failures and either leave or embrace the culture. Colonels rationalize unethical behavior as in the interest of their greater good, a fast track to stars.  Criminal behavior is justified and stamped top secret as national security issues. Victims of military abuses have long memories and there is no statue of limitations.  Secret files will eventually be opened and recently the military crimes during the colonial era have begun to appear in distant courts.

The inhabitants’ of the Pentagon, America’s military citadel, are increasingly viewing themselves as a Praetorian Guard defending American mythology of exceptionalism. 
Remember the Praetorians became synonymous with intrigue, conspiracy, disloyalty, assassination and the fall of Rome.   History also shows that dissatisfied colonels stage coups, where better to begin than assignments to the citadel.

As the military infiltrates more and more into civil government and society Praetorians become kingmakers while defending their own prerogatives.  In a step away from ethics, uniformed officers campaigned for supporters of militarization in the last election.  The Pentagon lobbied for legislation authorizing military arrest and indefinite secret detention of any U.S. citizen in America. (The Commander in Chief has so far refused to authorize implementation, but the law is on the books.)   While some ethical failures have recently been exposed, the military has blitzed justifications and ignored calls for reforms.

Pentagon bureaucrats have embraced a couple of political reforms.  Women may now hold combat commands that are increasingly for remote controlled wars.  A new high award, the DWM (Distinguished Warfare Medal) has been authorized for bravery thousands of miles from the line of fire.  It is only a matter of time before the Purple Heart is awarded for paper cuts.   The Medal of Honor still requires the sound of real bullets but that may soon include virtual bullets.  These reforms insult the heroes and casualties of past conflicts but they will make the recipients more politically viable.  Unethical behavior is rationalized while real soldiers and civilians continue to bleed.

Draft armies are not the most efficient but do reflect their social culture, rather than that of an unethical and uncontrollable military safely behind the citadel’s stone walls.

Theocratic conflict 020413

For over five hundred years Protestants and Catholics have battled.  With no one else to fight for its first 700 years, Catholics fought among themselves.  During the 2000 years of Christian power both Protestants and Catholics have beat up on Jews.  About 1300 years ago they began to demonize and slaughter Muslims.  The stated issue in all this death and destruction is who has the inside track to paradise.   These religions profess to worship the same God but can’t even agree on how. 

Interestingly enough until the establishment of a Jewish state in the 20th century, Muslims respected Judaism in their lands and protected Jews from Christian pogroms.  Here is a hint of understanding of religious warfare.  It is not about worshiping on Friday Saturday, or Sunday.  It is not about who is a prophet and who is a savior, nor is it about icons, singing, doctrines or visions of an afterlife. 

Theocratic conflict is a struggle for power.  Who is in control of the most land, wealth and perceived correct thinking masses that are merely chips to be played by governing oligarchs.  Henry the VIII switched sides for a divorce and England suffered a Catholic pogrom.  Priest and preachers can still stir up violence in Ireland.  Fundamentalist Christians, Jews and Muslims incite their followers against the more moderate of their own faiths.  Jews and Muslims struggle over a strip of land no one wanted until the other side claimed it.  East and central Asia was desert to be crossed as quickly as possible until oil was discovered and it became the battleground for the major faiths.

To understand the differing perspectives one must walk in the other fellows’ shoes for a while and see through their eyes.  From the Muslim perspective the crusades weren’t about religion, the crusaders killed more Christians and Jews than Muslims.   The crusades were all about politics, a Roman Pope wanted to gain control of all of Christendom and Crusade leaders wanted kingdoms, not for God, but for themselves.  The 20th century crusade is still about politics but is being sold to the masses as a struggle over faith.  The Muslims see Christian invasions of their lands for natural resources and destruction of their culture. Christians’ proclamations call for destruction of an Islamic “cult.” Christians view any resistance to their divine right as terrorist activity and untold thousands of Muslims have died in the growing conflict, resulting in spreading insurgencies as proving of both perspectives.

Organized religion is not a prerequisite for theocratic warfare; oligarchs can establish themselves as an object of worship.  They rewrite history proving their superiority and build a new faith that eventually becomes a totalitarian regime designating “enemies,” proper conduct and disciples to control the masses.  Disciples and the masses must be fed on a steady diet of sacrifice and warfare in defense of this new faith. 

Caution must be exercises when religions and regimes demand that the masses “get on board,” with buzzwords and xenophobia. Religion is philosophy some times good, some times bad in the hands of politicians.  Political warfare is counterproductive, theocratic war is an ultimate waste of humanity.

Quotes:
The futurist George Orwell said, “A totalitarian state is in effect a theocracy, and its ruling caste, in order to keep its position, has to be thought of as infallible. But since, in practice, no one is infallible, it is frequently necessary to rearrange past events in order to show that this or that mistake was not made, or that this or that imaginary triumph actually happened.”  “Orwell, Collected Essays, Journalism and Letters of George Orwell Volume 2 My Country Right or Left 1940 - 1943”

"This Republican Party of Lincoln has become a party of theocracy."
U.S. Representative Christopher Shays, R-CT, (New York Times 3/23/05)

Animals 020113

There is an old saying that a leopard can’t change its spots.  Given enough evolutionary time however, the leopard may very well lose its spots and even become a tabby cat.  Political animals on the other hand change their spots from day to day.

The evolutionary periods for political animals are from embarrassing statements to lost elections, then their spots disappear under quick, slick marketing analyst’s whitewash.  Of course as the media rains on menageries’ parades the whitewash fades and the same old spots show through.  Political consultants however are prepared with fresh buckets of whitewash to slap on as public concerns swing.  The spots don’t change under the whitewash, the animals just hope the public will forget spots they can’t see.

Political creatures hope to hide the stumbling, bungling, muddling and vicious, roaring demagoguery.  The beast is supposed to have evolved into a picture perfect cuddly little tabby, but the picture still has same teeth and claws intent on ripping the hearts and guts out of the polity.

People do change; teenage ideals do evolve into seniors’ experienced realities.  The beasts that roar believe they can deceive voters with a few quick purrs and an overnight declaration that they have changed their ways.

Unfortunately, to often, they get away with wearing their coats of whitewash.  Never forget that many despots have been democratically elected.  Stand by with fire hoses to wash off the whitewash and look for the same old spots.

The last U.S. campaign was of particular interest to international observers considering democratic regime changes.  They saw candidates evolving from one public speech to the next.  Integrity swung with the slightest breeze.  Xenophobia, discrimination even hatred was embraced and later spun or completely denied.  Billionaires bought and sold candidates and platforms.  Months after the election questions still remain, what did these candidates really really stand for?

The day after the election winners and losers were busy reinventing themselves for the next election.  The billionaires were already assessing the prospective field and pledging to place their bets on horses expected to pull their agenda plows to victory.

Foreign analysts evaluated the real corruption recently exposed.  Emerging states noted the hypocrisy of, “do as we say, not as we do” rejecting the U.S. democratic model.

The feeling is, if we are going to be corrupt, we will embrace our own corruption rather than import that of meddling foreigners.  Our corrupt politicians at least know who we are and their whitewash is from our own buckets.  They will embrace a leopard, spots and all, if it a real leopard that serves their interests.

Falling 010713

A current television advertisement features the cries of old people that have fallen and can’t get up.  The problem is real, but the pitch is for a button to push for assistance. 

For the past month the world has been held hostage to the U.S. House of Representatives, who lemming like have been rushing to jump off a fiscal cliff.   At the last moment the Senate crafted stopgap legislation, which merely pushed the cliff a couple of months further away.  American and entwined world economies are still in danger of falling and they have no button to push. 

House Republicans quickly pointed to the President as the cause of their budget failure and growing deficits.  Their accusations are smoke to hide how government is supposed to work.   Article one, Sections seven and eight of the Constitution clearly gives the House responsibility of all government taxation and spending.  The Senate and President may recommend but they can only reject or concur with House budgets.  It is Congress that spends the money while the President tries to stretch the budget to cover expenses.

In the 19th century this worked, sometime not well but it did work.  Sometime in the 20th century the process fell, unable to get up.  The House’s inability to craft a budget on time forced a change in the fiscal year from July to October allowing three more months for budget deliberations.  This merely pushed budget failure back three months.  In the wake of the great depression Presidents began to recommend budgets based on legislation and national needs but the budget remained a House prerogative.  Here lies the problem, Congress has become a career.

The house is elected every two years and reelections depend on bringing pork home.  The one thing bi-partisan in government is pork barrel politics.  Both parties need to spread tons of bacon grease to keep the wheels of government turning and the votes coming in.  This has led to legislation for roads to nowhere, planes that can’t fly and $400 toilet seats built in home districts.  Administrations of both parties have asked for line item veto power to strip some of the fatback from the budget but Congress is addicted to pork.

Over time, through both Democratic and Republican control, budget amendments have created a norm of planning to spend more than revenues.  No politician is going to endanger his or her seat or forgo seeing their names decorating a bridge or government building back home.  For a few billion more they can have a park with a statue.

House radicals immediately declared another budget war on the President, the other party and even their own party’s attempts to craft a budget before the cliff is again within range.  Their declaration puts a thick layer of bacon fat on the edged of the cliff so the nation is sure to slide over.

Since we aren’t going to pay our bills anyway, the administration should spend a few more deficit dollars for a national button to push as we fall off the edge and can’t climb up.  The question is who, from our alienated world, will answer our call for assistance?