Back in San Antonio for a week now -- from a trip to Wyoming. Grand Teton, Yellowstone, great weather, all sorts of wild critters, geysers, mountains and waterfalls. It was good let my mind go positive and just enjoy a few days with Francoise and nature.
Now the news is back on and much of it is distressing. So I shall get back to my usual grumpy comments soon!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
OH, YEAH . . . IRAQ
Got to post a positive comment soon! Maybe the trip to Wyoming will cool me off and improve my attitude. But this ain't it!
Todays's rash of bombings in Iraq reminded me of a radio interview with Tom Ricks, a journalist and author with much Mid-East experience -- months ago. He quoted our Ambassador (until mid-February), Ryan Crocker as stating that the most significant historical events in Iraq "haven't happened yet," adding that the surge was a tactical, but not a strategic, victory.
Ricks believes that a "Mini-Sadam" strong man government is the best outcome we can expect in the long run. Obviously, he was not a fan of the decision to invade.
The legacy of Britain and France creating multi-factional "nations" by drawing lines in the sand lives on.
Todays's rash of bombings in Iraq reminded me of a radio interview with Tom Ricks, a journalist and author with much Mid-East experience -- months ago. He quoted our Ambassador (until mid-February), Ryan Crocker as stating that the most significant historical events in Iraq "haven't happened yet," adding that the surge was a tactical, but not a strategic, victory.
Ricks believes that a "Mini-Sadam" strong man government is the best outcome we can expect in the long run. Obviously, he was not a fan of the decision to invade.
The legacy of Britain and France creating multi-factional "nations" by drawing lines in the sand lives on.
Monday, August 17, 2009
MONDAY QUICKIE
On the subject of change -- that folks of my generation can't do much about -- and concerning my belief that Americans in general have been too insular. Some of us think the finding below is a good thing:
"Pollster John Zogby describes his sample of 18-29 year olds in the U.S. as “First Globals.” Fifty-six percent have passports and have traveled abroad. One quarter expect to live abroad. He writes that 'they bring a consistently global perspective to everything from foreign policy to environmental issues to the coffee they buy.' Zogby’s findings suggest that these younger Americans are likely to embrace their roles as responsible "citizen diplomats" more readily and be better equipped to address global issues in cooperation with counterparts in other countries."
"Pollster John Zogby describes his sample of 18-29 year olds in the U.S. as “First Globals.” Fifty-six percent have passports and have traveled abroad. One quarter expect to live abroad. He writes that 'they bring a consistently global perspective to everything from foreign policy to environmental issues to the coffee they buy.' Zogby’s findings suggest that these younger Americans are likely to embrace their roles as responsible "citizen diplomats" more readily and be better equipped to address global issues in cooperation with counterparts in other countries."
Sunday, August 16, 2009
"YOU SCARE ME"
Got one of those forwarded emails the other day encouraging me to "be afraid, be very afraid" of the world as it is now -- and is changing minute by minute. This one, by Lou Pritchett, had a long list of things that "scare" him about Barack Obama. Some items were plainly off the wall, but some were very interesting -- with some insights into what is so troubling to certain segments of the population (Lou represents the successful corporate white guy who has lost a lot of pull via retirement).
The following entry seemed most revealing to me:
"You scare me because you did not spend the formative years of youth growing up in America and culturally you are not an American."
This, to me, is a more "upscale" version of the position of the "birthers," those who still insist that Obama was born abroad and not eligible to be President. Lou seems to say that anyone born in "vacation islands" out in the Pacific, who's lived in a Muslim country, who has near relatives in Africa, can't be a real 'Merican.
Taking it one step further, I think what's "scaring" this segment of the population is that the power structure is changing -- to include a much broader group of people. More and more individuals who don't "look like me" ("me" could be Lou or, well, just me!) are taking over.
Troubling!
The quote also leads me to suggest a weakness of the US in today's world -- our insularity -- where we see little purpose in learning about or learning from other cultures. But that's for another day. YOUR THOUGHTS WELCOME!
The following entry seemed most revealing to me:
"You scare me because you did not spend the formative years of youth growing up in America and culturally you are not an American."
This, to me, is a more "upscale" version of the position of the "birthers," those who still insist that Obama was born abroad and not eligible to be President. Lou seems to say that anyone born in "vacation islands" out in the Pacific, who's lived in a Muslim country, who has near relatives in Africa, can't be a real 'Merican.
Taking it one step further, I think what's "scaring" this segment of the population is that the power structure is changing -- to include a much broader group of people. More and more individuals who don't "look like me" ("me" could be Lou or, well, just me!) are taking over.
Troubling!
The quote also leads me to suggest a weakness of the US in today's world -- our insularity -- where we see little purpose in learning about or learning from other cultures. But that's for another day. YOUR THOUGHTS WELCOME!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
WHAT ARE WE LOSING?
Well, for starters, it seems to me, a sense of humor. In addition, I wonder if we're losing our rationality and any ability to consider views other than our own -- substituting raw partisanship and avoiding hearing anything or anyone we disagree with -- kind of like a kid sticking his fingers in his ears and yelling "ya ya ya ya ya." This is not good, whatever one's politics, religion, moral stance, whatever.
Point 1 - Poor Francoise got trapped today -- forwarding a long email to a friend, which merely laid out the White House's positions on health care -- some items questionable, but at least a rational statement. Problem -- friend shares the e-mail address with husband, retired military and right wing extremist. He replied directly to her in an attempt at an intellectual answer, but actually a major put-down. Seems we are doomed (because we don't have a proper Republican administration) to live in a future "Brave New World" environment.
On sense of humor -- last Sunday on TV I heard Cokie Roberts, grinning, say that the current fashion of shouting down any real discussion at August "town hall meetings" must be due to a shortage of nuns. "Anyone raised by nuns would never act that way!" I knew just what she meant -- my mom would have called that behavior "really tacky." But I chanced on a left-wing YouTube taking the statement seriously and giving her hell for such stupid logic. Get real!
Point 1 - Poor Francoise got trapped today -- forwarding a long email to a friend, which merely laid out the White House's positions on health care -- some items questionable, but at least a rational statement. Problem -- friend shares the e-mail address with husband, retired military and right wing extremist. He replied directly to her in an attempt at an intellectual answer, but actually a major put-down. Seems we are doomed (because we don't have a proper Republican administration) to live in a future "Brave New World" environment.
On sense of humor -- last Sunday on TV I heard Cokie Roberts, grinning, say that the current fashion of shouting down any real discussion at August "town hall meetings" must be due to a shortage of nuns. "Anyone raised by nuns would never act that way!" I knew just what she meant -- my mom would have called that behavior "really tacky." But I chanced on a left-wing YouTube taking the statement seriously and giving her hell for such stupid logic. Get real!
Friday, August 14, 2009
TRUE CONFESSION
Yep, today I took up an invitation and visited an office of my Congressman, Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX). Main subject, of course, was health care reform. The office staff was all young, all Hispanic. I met with Stephanie Romero, a "field representative." She was very sharp - don't know if she's a "wise Latina," but she knew her business.
My main message, since I could find little fault with the "8 basic points" that came with the invitation, was to say that the President had better work very hard to recapture the initiative that had been lost after the cost estimates given by the Congressional Budget Office, followed by the scare campaign on "death panels" and the like. I questioned whether we would really be able to keep our existing health insurance, but also mentioned the experiences of relatives who, unlike us, really need change to make HMO's more flexible and to insure despite "pre-existing conditions."
On another subject, I left a copy of an op-ed piece about one of my major concerns -- it questioned whether Obama was really different or was becoming another "corporatist" - subject to undue influence by those who could care less whether the Federal Government is controlled by Democrats or Republicans (Goldman Sachs is my favorite villain in this scenario, but there is an almost infinite variety of others in other areas).
By the way, I heard today that the registered lobbyists in the health care area now outnumber the members of Congress by 6 to 1. "Sausage" is being made in Washington!
My main message, since I could find little fault with the "8 basic points" that came with the invitation, was to say that the President had better work very hard to recapture the initiative that had been lost after the cost estimates given by the Congressional Budget Office, followed by the scare campaign on "death panels" and the like. I questioned whether we would really be able to keep our existing health insurance, but also mentioned the experiences of relatives who, unlike us, really need change to make HMO's more flexible and to insure despite "pre-existing conditions."
On another subject, I left a copy of an op-ed piece about one of my major concerns -- it questioned whether Obama was really different or was becoming another "corporatist" - subject to undue influence by those who could care less whether the Federal Government is controlled by Democrats or Republicans (Goldman Sachs is my favorite villain in this scenario, but there is an almost infinite variety of others in other areas).
By the way, I heard today that the registered lobbyists in the health care area now outnumber the members of Congress by 6 to 1. "Sausage" is being made in Washington!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Word from the Kindle-eer
Via early birthday from the spouse (Francoise), I now have an Amazon Kindle. I'm enjoying it and enjoying reading again. Downloading a book seemed a bit magical until I found that the K is really a specialized cell phone. I started with an interesting mystery (set in Sweden!) with an intriguing title - The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo.
Now, I've started "In Praise of Doubt," by Berger and Zijderveld (another find by F). It's a great book, I think, helping me to unravel some troubling questions about why I seem to be "out of step" with a lot of people lately. Come back and you will hear more about this, no doubt!
In case you're wondering, I found how to start italics, but can't find a way out! <;-(
Now, I've started "In Praise of Doubt," by Berger and Zijderveld (another find by F). It's a great book, I think, helping me to unravel some troubling questions about why I seem to be "out of step" with a lot of people lately. Come back and you will hear more about this, no doubt!
In case you're wondering, I found how to start italics, but can't find a way out! <;-(
FIRE ONE
This is my first post to a new blog. So, why a blog? I need a way to express opinions, ideas, daily events that works better than email or Facebook. Not that I'll quit using either of them. But Facebook is just a sideline, and opinions by email tend to create problems -- people take things personally (or, in a few cases, I have taken the replies personally!).
With a blog, you can come here or not, your call. Whoever you are, the comments are not directed at YOU. You can reply as and if you wish. I just hope that any replies stay rational -- I'm happy to consider other opinions, maybe even change my mind -- but I don't have much patience with the "sloganeering" and name-calling that seems to be in style these days.
Fair warning -- I can see two sides to just about any question!
Adios for now, RI
With a blog, you can come here or not, your call. Whoever you are, the comments are not directed at YOU. You can reply as and if you wish. I just hope that any replies stay rational -- I'm happy to consider other opinions, maybe even change my mind -- but I don't have much patience with the "sloganeering" and name-calling that seems to be in style these days.
Fair warning -- I can see two sides to just about any question!
Adios for now, RI
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