War Helps Terrorists

Terrorists must be glad we occupied Iraq. We preemptively invaded a Muslim country, straining relations with many of our own allies as well.

With our cold-war might, vastly greater than the present defense needs of even the most powerful country on earth, we intimidate rather than mediate, instill apprehension rather than goodwill.

As a result we shouldn’t be surprised if worldwide there are thousands more volunteers for suicide bombers than bombs to give them.

Afghanistan was infiltrated by the terrorists who attacked us— that invasion was justified. Beyond that the war against terrorism should have been done on a country-by-country basis, working carefully with the government of each country, each one a unique situation.

The people of Iraq will surely be better off in the long run without Saddam, though his days were numbered anyway. The war was not worth it in terms of cost to us both monetary and diplomatic, not to mention the lives lost, both ours and theirs. But it is done, we are there, and must finish what we began. We owe it to the Iraqi people to leave the country in better shape than we found it.

What we do still have a choice about is approving the actions of the present Administration. By defeating Bush in the upcoming election, reducing our military, and increasing foreign aid, we could go far in winning respect rather than fear the world over, thereby killing at least some of the bitter seeds of terrorism.  4/28/04

The Joy Of Slacking

If I’ve learned one thing in life, it is that if a job is fun, it usually isn’t very profitable.

Of course when you’re a kid, unfun jobs aren’t very profitable either, unless you call a buck for washing the car investment capital.

There were tasks assigned for no other recompense than the satisfaction of making a contribution to the household. They had the benefit of teaching me the worthlessness of a job poorly-done. When my heart wasn’t in an undertaking, I didn’t do it well even if I really tried. Therefore there was no use wasting the energy trying.

The philosophy I finally decided to adapt was work smart not hard. Trouble was that for some reason if it wasn’t hard enough it usually wasn’t smart enough either. Therefore I modified this concept to a new, surprisingly simple one— relax, read a book, maybe watch a little television.

Even with these realizations it took me the better part of my life to figure out the career I was best suited for— retirement.  6/22/04

Bush Wrong on Terrorism

To the extent we preemptively invade Muslim countries, whatever the rationale, the easier it will be for Islamic extremists to recruit new terrorists, by convincing the downtrodden and estranged— wrong as it is— that we are using 9/11 and fear of terrorism as an excuse to oppress Islam.

Terrorism is a crime, and as such should be handled on a country-by-country basis, working closely with the government of that country, using police or local militia wherever possible. John Kerry is right— only when all else fails should full-scale military action be considered, and then with a consensus of world nations.

Israel has tried military and bulldozer techniques for decades to no avail, only assuring that there are more suicide bombers in waiting than blow themselves up.

The tragedy in Russia shows the inherent vulnerability of soft targets in any country. It would be virtually impossible to protect everywhere and anywhere crowds gather. Airplanes are not necessary— assault rifles and explosives are all a determined cell needs.

While fertilizer and gasoline are obtainable in this country, at least we have— or did have— a marginally-effective ban on assault rifles. However instead of petitioning congress for a tighter one, or even renewal of the old one, George W. seems happy to let it expire in return for an NRA endorsement.

No one has called Bush a genius, but he isn’t brain dead. Something is up. I think it’s a trap for the terrorists. He’ll roll out a red carpet and have the Marine Band strike up a processional. Next thing you know they’re doggied.  9/10/04

Kerry is the Moral Choice

He abhors abortion, respecting potential human life. Yet he would not try to make it illegal, out of respect for the judgment of the parents.

He opposes the death penalty— barbaric, irreversible, and unnecessary when permanent incarceration is available.

He supports the equal rights of those who find love in nontraditional relationships.

He would respect the rights of states that— for whatever reason or purpose— vote to legalize marijuana.

He supports lifting ideologically-driven restrictions on stem cell research, increasing chances of finding new treatments for diseases like diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, cancer, and spinal cord injuries.

He supports reducing the high cost of drugs by allowing importation of prescription drugs from Canada and ending artificial barriers to generic drug competition, easing burdens on the poor, elderly, and those on fixed incomes.

He would help the middle class with tax breaks, the poor with health insurance, and everyone with less pressure on the price of medical care (at least in part due to the increased pay-capability of a larger insured base).

He would protect the environment in the face of economic and corporate interests for the benefit of all people, as well as those yet to be born.

He would begin the process of returning our nation to the idea of spending within means, reducing corporate welfare rather than burdening our descendants with debt way beyond pump-priming the economy.

He would wage war only to the extent necessary to protect the interests of our country and humankind— not to impose American values on any country he feels would be improved by such a use of force.

He would end torture of prisoners of war and set an example to the world by making all prisoners— whatever their nationalities or place of incarceration— accessible by the International Red Cross.

He would transform the military, reducing spending on Cold-War-inspired military behemoths and using the savings to make us more militarily-ready for the challenges we face today.  10/28/04

The Madness Continues

Tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians have been killed as a result of Bush’s war. Not just insurgents, but innocent men, women, and children.

Saddam was destroying what rockets he had, yet the president chose preemptive bombing and invasion followed by an often brutal occupation, including torture of prisoners and other violations of the Geneva Conventions.

George Bush should be impeached and tried for war crimes. Yet in fear we reelect him.

Our nation was attacked by nineteen men with box-cutters, so we build more submarines.

What would Jesus do? He would give John Kerry a hug, and then weep.  11/3/04