Warren Buffett is right again...

I strongly believe, that the content of the interview with Warren Buffett (quoted below) should be known by every American.
PLEASE, PASS IT ON TO AS MANY AMERICANS YOU CAN.  When we all talk about it, we may make a change.

The presidential elections are just round the corner.  In less, than 2 weeks we will have the second term of HOPE-GENERATING PRESIDENT (Pres. Obama), or turn back to the DARK AGES, where all minorities including women have no rights, the sick simply die without the health coverage on pre-existing conditions, and where the Super-Rich are carried on the shoulders of the middle class.
Although, the Warren Buffet interview doesn't have a direct bearing on the result of the elections - it may have a long lasting impact on who is elected in the nearest congressional elections, and who is creating the laws of this country.

******************** QUOTED AFTER LIVELEAK (http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=712_1319407857) ****************

Warren Buffett in Recent interview with CNBC, offered one of the best quotes about the debt ceiling "I could end the deficit in 5 minutes," he told CNBC. "You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election.

http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000031948
http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000033852

The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18-year-old's) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971 - before computers, e-mail, cell phones, etc. Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took one (1) year or less to become the law of the land - all because of public pressure.

Congressional Reform Act of 2011

1. No Tenure / No Pension.

A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they're out of office.

2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.

All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void effective 01/01/12. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen/women.

Congressmen/women made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.

Warren Edward Buffett: (born August 30, 1930) is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful investors in the world. Often introduced as "legendary investor, Warren Buffett", he is the primary shareholder, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. He is consistently ranked among the world's wealthiest people. He was ranked as the world's wealthiest person in 2008 and is the third wealthiest person in the world as of 2011.

Buffett is called the "Wizard of Omaha", "Oracle of Omaha" or the "Sage of Omaha" and is noted for his adherence to the value investing philosophy and for his personal frugality despite his immense wealth. Buffett is also a notable philanthropist, having pledged to give away 99 percent of his fortune to philanthropic causes, primarily via the Gates Foundation. He also serves as a member of the board of trustees at Grinnell College.


******************** QUOTED AFTER LIVELEAK (http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=712_1319407857) ****************

I am back! - a personal note in the troublesome political climate.

I took a 'sabbatical' for a year.   Even though my blogging endeavor was only one year old, I had to put it aside, to commit myself to other, quite absorbing issues.  Blogging went on a 'back burner'…

The presidential campaign already started to be the most idiotic political background one could imagine.  Republicans started proving to the America and the World that the truth was important only to the 'weaklings' and they - 'alpha males' didn't care about it at all, and bent it the way they felt fit.

Many things got into play at that time, but one of the most unsettling was - cancer.  In May, last year I was diagnosed with an early stage of prostate cancer.  I lived with this 'Sword of Damocles' for years, since my father fell victim to this condition, not-diagnosed on time.

To my surprise, and more to the surprise of others, I didn't react to this news with the typical panic followed by psychological triad: denial, anger, depression.  

I was constantly waiting for it - this natural, human reaction to the news of a terminal disease…  But, no.  It didn't come (although any American might have gone into panic just thinking about the direction the Country might be going if the Republicans were at the helm).
Instead, it proved to be a 'Reset Button'.  It brought the clarity, absolute clarity about my life, with it's achievements and it's failures.

Clarity, which reorganizes the life in a very positive way, beginning with the new look at some relationships, friendships, business ties, which were taken for granted till that point.  Some didn't stand a chance under this review…, some grew stronger.  

Many, facing a possible demise, dive into the awaiting arms of religion, becoming born again, devotees, religious freaks… 

In my case, instead, my growing clarity reinforced my pragmatic, atheist outlook.  No BS in life, no BS in business, no BS in politics, no BS, period.

It took a few months of 'second opinions', and additional tests to make sure that the condition is as it was diagnosed, treatable in it's early stage.  It took months of rapid educational course on a subject, including reading the CT and MRI scans, various methods of treatment and various approaches to living with it.

And then - preparation, surgery, a very brief hospital stay, a few months of recovery…  normal life again - slimming down, and more energetic than ever...

The news about Republican, medieval approach to women rights, medieval approach to minorities, both ethnic and sexual, were overwhelmingly flooding the media.  Inquisition like approach to the role of the religion in the private lives and in the functioning of the State was spewing from the lips of the Bible Belt born and raised Presidential Candidates (all in spite of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the USA).  There was nothing else on any news channel, beginning from MSNBC, NBC, CNN to Al Jazeera (sorry, I do not even acknowledge the existence of FOX News - since FOX NEWS is an oxymoron).  

And yet, all that time, my clarity grew stronger.  I realized, that life itself doesn't have a value.  What really matters is what one does with it, what one experiences in one's life and how trustworthy one becomes.  Life can end any time for one of the countless reasons - completely independently from how one leads the life and what it matters in one's mind.  

Religious teachings (in many religions) put emphasis on living one's life, like there is no tomorrow (although this term is generally misinterpreted).  The judgment day may come tomorrow and one will face the maker and weigh their souls against a feather… and so on...  

A near brush with death (or it's emissary - cancer) made me realize, that, although there are countless things I would like to achieve in the remaining part of my life, I have already had a life which provided me with what is important.  My life has already given me - knowing places and working on 4 continents, participating in preserving the World's Cultural Heritage, learning languages and things which changed me, having interesting and stimulating job, trying things others would be afraid to, knowing deep feelings like real love, having good and interesting people around me, and being with right life-companion (my wife of 21 years).

I never cared about the material gains (sometimes it would be nice to have more of it).  It was always more important to do interesting things, to be involved in interesting development, to do something better for bettering oneself.

This is the main reason why I evolved to be a liberal, who I am at this point.  This is the reason why I can't agree with the Republicans when they say (OK, Mitt Romney said that on one of fundraisers in Florida) that 47% of US population doesn't pay income taxes - and he doesn't care about them (since they would vote for Obama anyway).  Republicans believe (on record) that only the way it was delivered is wrong, but the message was right (!!!!!!!!!). 

This is outrageous.

I do not believe in redistribution of wealth (as they accuse President Obama of having this as a desired goal).  But I strongly believe (as our President believes) that those who do not worry about their economical status - because they have an accumulated wealth - have to make their contribution high enough, to allow the poor and the meek to live their lives without the constant appearance of their 'Sword of Damocles' - hunger, or homelessness.  

I do believe that the Republicans' efforts to shift the burden of maintaining the Country (with it's military might) even more to the shoulders of the Middle Class is UNPATRIOTIC.  Yes, I dare calling the most socially detached Presidential Candidate - Mitt Romney and his cronies UNPATRIOTIC.

There is nothing patriotic also in treating the 'unsuccessful' economically people who fell under the poverty level, like trash - because Mitt Romney and his likes closed their factories and sent the jobs oversees.  We still talk about the American Dream, but it's only a talk… Soon we will read about it in Wikipedia:  "Once upon the time…" - no one alive will actually experience it (thanks to Republicans' economical plans).

I have spent 50% (exactly this year) of my life outside of my 'country of origin'.  What means, that most of my adult life has been spent in the United States, and traveling through, or briefly living in other countries.  

2012 - being the "YEAR OF CLARITY" for me, is also a year of my 20th Anniversary of my US Citizenship.  I care about the USA and it's population.  It goes without saying.  This is my HOME.

At no point in my life I experienced so much anxiety about the future of the USA.  I still believe, that the USA is (still IS!) the best real system, so far created - with the freedoms never experienced anywhere else - including the most advanced societies of the Western Europe.  It's a fragile system, which requires as much giving to it and caring for it, as taking out, and benefiting from it.  

But Mitt Romney and others (all his competitors before his nomination) have proven that what they are interesting in, is just SUCKING IT DRY - like leaches.

I dream about the situation when one would look at the 2 (or more) candidates for President, compare their agenda, and had difficulties choosing because in all agendas would be something good for the country and good for it's people.

I believe, that even when President Reagan (so readily called as an idol or demigod of the Republican agenda) was reelected there was still something in both parties agendas which was worth considering.

But it was the last such moment in history so far.  

We all know the METROPOLIS - a famous psychological sci-fi picture directed in 1927 by Fritz Lang - showing the soulless industrial Moloch 'devouring' it's living underground, working class…

It seems like today's Republicans (at least those who are loudly heard) lead the country to a metaphorically similar predicament.

I only wish, that American people recover their eyesight in time, and in about 50 days will be wise enough to cast their votes for the only candidate who has the Nation's benefit in mind - incumbent President - Barack Obama.

Obama’s weakness - Elections? - why not a single 6-years-long term?

I am tired of watching never-ending, always starting earlier (every half a term), National Elections Frenzy (perfectly fed - instigated by the media).  I am tired of watching the President juggling all the “special interest groups”, and instead of choosing GOOD solutions, choosing only “plausible” solutions.

It’s time for a change.

__________________

During the Presidential Electoral Campaign, the Candidate Barack Obama talked passionately about the common people problems, about the social rights of the minorities, about immigration.  He talked passionately about restoring America as a shining beacon of Democracy, extending her hand to all the nations who would like to follow our, Democratic example…

He talked about restoring America for Americans, bringing us up from the depths of ‘Hell’ created by the two terms of the misguided, and trigger happy, Commander in Chief – Bush “the 2nd”…

When Obama took the Office of the President of the United States, no one could imagine a better circumstances: the first Black President, a Democrat, intelligent and outspoken, having on his side both houses of the Congress (both with decisive Democratic Majority), and having been backed up by almost ALL Americans, tired of the “post 911 decade”, and the financial collapse…

2 years later, the congressional elections proved that America felt a bit disillusioned, a bit cheated… and the Democrats lost the Majority in Congress (still having it in the Senate).  The Tea Party (not heard about beforehand) with it’s extremists started dictate the new order in Washington.

________

We all know it by heart.  There is no need to elaborate on it. 

What I want to talk about is the situation often mentioned by the pundits and media commentators, the situation related to the upcoming Presidential Elections of 2012. 

What dawned on me recently is, that the relationship between the performance of the President in his First Term, is in direct correlation with the Presidential Campaign.  Although it became drastically obvious this year, in case of Obama’s complacency and continuous trials to please certain voters groups, it was visible also during the presidencies of the previous Presidents of the USA.

The influence of the second term Presidential Elections on the policies of the current President has been increasing throughout the years.  Also, amount of money spent on the elections has been increasing exponentially, getting into the neighborhood of a Billion USD, or even more.  These funds come from the donations of the general population (in case of Obama’s first term the number of $5.00 donations from the supporters from all walks of life, was unprecedented), but also from the Big Industry (majority of the donations). 

Although the system allows for donations from the Industry, it’s illegal to put pressure on the President in Office to pass the legislature favoring the donor and it’s Industry.  It is illegal, but lobbyists are part of the Washington political climate, and it’s obvious that this pressure exists. 

One may speculate that the demands for the return on the “investment” are proportional to the donations…

Let’s have a quick look at the two-term Presidents in the post WWII American History (*1):

1.             Harry S. Truman – D(1945-1953)

Although a Democrat – the end of the War President ordered A-bombs to be dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  Contrary to the first term, he did run the second electoral campaign in 1948 on a liberal “The Fair Deal” token.  Although the conservative Congress rejected most of his proposals, he managed to win the raising of the minimal wage, and expanding of the Social Security.  His popularity plummeted in with the growing anti-communist atmosphere and a birth of McCarthyism, as well as involving the US in an unpopular war to defend South Korea against the Communist invasion.

2.             Dwight D. Eisenhower – R(1953-1961)

A popular War Hero and a moderate Republican, spent most of his energy and American resources on creating and ‘feeding’ the Cold War.  He wasn’t a “people’s president”, and even the school desegregation, ordered by the Supreme Court, wasn’t high on his agenda.  He used his influence to quietly diminish influence of the Junior Senator McCarthy.  At the end of his second term, not caring for reelection, Eisenhower also "waged peace," hoping to improve U.S.-Soviet relations and negotiate a treaty banning nuclear testing in the air and seas.

3.             Lyndon B. Johnson – D(1963-1969) – took office after the assassination of JFK – elected in 1965.

L.B. Johnson has been the most misunderstood (or wrongly judged) President in the US modern history.

I wrote about him in the article: “Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday observed - Presidents of that era”.  He inherited the Vietnam War from JFK, when, after JFK’s assassination he took Office of the President.  Yes, he is responsible for escalation of that war – I would say – sign of the time.  However, he pushed the social agenda to the limits, not caring for re-election (in fact he deliberately refused to be nominated by his party).

Let’s see what he was able to realize, not being pressured any more:

   * 1963: Clean Air Act of 1963
    * 1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964
    * 1964: Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964
    * 1964: Wilderness Act
    * 1964: Food Stamp Act of 1964
    * 1965: Higher Education Act of 1965
    * 1965: Older Americans Act
    * 1965: Social Security Act of 1965
    * 1965: Voting Rights Act
    * 1965: Immigration and Nationality Services Act of 1965
    * 1966: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
    * 1967: Age Discrimination in Employment Act
    * 1967: Public Broadcasting Act of 1967
    * 1968: Bilingual Education Act
    * 1968: Fair housing
    * 1968: Gun Control Act of 1968

4.             Richard M. Nixon – R(1969-1975) – reelected in 1974.

Smart, but controversial figure, who, during his second term (cut short by WaterGate, and his resignation to avoid the impeachment), completely subscribed to the “above-the-law-statue” and believed in the total “impunity” of his actions – what led to braking in to the Democratic Party Headquarters and the subsequent cover-up.

5.             Ronald Reagan – R(1981-1989)

Conservative President, who during the first term increased the tensions of the Cold War negotiating with the Soviets from the position of Strength.  “The Evil Empire” term came to the American vocabulary.  Very conservative fiscally, reducing taxes and putting the American Economy at risk. 

In his second term, however, he managed to sign the treaties with the Soviets leading to the reduction of the Global Nuclear Arsenals by 50%.  His final touch was braking down of the Berlin Wall (between the East and West Berlin) – the very symbol of the Cold War.

6.             Bill Clinton – D(1993-2001)

In the case of President Clinton it’s hard to find any un-constricted actions starting in his second term.  Paula Jones and Monica Lewinsky cases clouded successfully both the President’s judgment as well as his actions afterwards.  The second term started with the impeachment proceedings impeding the normal presidency.  However, during the first term, he failed to deliver on his promises to give the Full, and Unrestricted Health Coverage to the nation.  His Health Reform proposal was killed effortlessly and never resurfaced.

7.             George W. Bush – R(2001-2009)

This president – I dare say – The Worst President of the Modern American History, was definitely completely “mis-under-estimated” (as he would say himself – a known linguist).  By the effects of 911 (the worst terrorist attack on the American soil), he was given a mandate, which opened the Pandora’s Box.  He, and his evil shadow (Vice President Chaney), managed to ruin the hopes for the normal future to the most of currently living Americans.  His born-again-Christian routine, sparring two wars, and stealing from the Nation the chance of living a normal, debt-free life was escalating throughout his presidency with no obstacle.  To start with, he didn’t have to control his appetite during his first presidency (because of 911 and the American thirst for retribution).  He went ‘full throttle’ during the second term.           

8.             Barack Obama – D(2009 ???) – not known yet if reelected in 2012.

What we can compare is what he had promised as a presidential candidate, and what he DIDN’T deliver as a President.  Well, the list is not that short (not counting for a few “window dressings” like the end of “don’t ask – don’t tell” policy, or what was left from the “health care reform” – no preexisting condition).

Afraid of losing support for the second term election, Obama was quite timid pushing his social and economical proposals – even though both houses of the Congress had a Democratic Majority.  As a result the Tea Partiers almost succeeded killing the Health Reform.  They succeeded keeping the Temporary Bush Tax Cuts for the wealthiest 1% of society. 

Somehow closing of the “Gitmo” is not on the table any more (although it was also promised in Cairo).  On the International Theater, what he promised in his Cairo speech in 2009 has been greatly compromised, leading to the reversal of his stand on the Palestinian-Jewish conflict resolution.  In the Cairo speech he said (2*):

“(…)At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel's right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine's.  The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements.  This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace.  It is time for these settlements to stop.
Israel must also live up to its obligations to ensure that Palestinians can live, and work, and develop their society.  And just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel's security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank. Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress.(…)”

Even though Obama in the past (not that distant) presented more comprehensive and decisive statements against the Israeli settlements in the East Jerusalem and other sites in the West Bank, when the reelection campaign has started, to guarantee him the ‘devotion’ of the pro-Israeli voters, his positions softened to the point of being called “The First Jewish President” by the New York Magazine (3*).

One can pile up proofs of the Obama’s “change of heart”, with already fully blown re-election campaign.  However, let’s leave it where it is…  since the goal of this article is to show the solution, not to dwell on the problem itself.

__________________

__________________

Since in the American Political System, the re-election campaigns start more than 2 years before the actual Presidential Elections, the whole political life of the Nation is completely controlled by the campaign.  Most of the President’s decisions during this second half of the first term are determined by the political gains or other behind-the-scenes games. 

In my opinion, and I read it also between the lines of the articles written by many pundits and reporters, this status quo is harmful to the USA as a country. 

I see the relatively easy way out of this predicament.  Instead of the possibility of two consecutive terms as a President of the USA – I would limit it to only ONE – SIX YEAR TERM.

Many countries sport the six-year-terms of their elected executives.  Why don’t we appropriate it into our system? 

A single, six-year-long term, would provide the uninterrupted climate for Presidential, un-pressured by the lobbies, performance. 

The system in it’s current form clouds the president’s judgment, forcing his decisions along the lines requested (or expected) by the major donors of the campaign money, and also to please the major voter groups, to guarantee their unshaken support in the elections.  It also requires the actual, physical President’s participation in the campaign; effectively removing him from what he was hired for – the job of a President.

Most of the two-term Presidents lose the 2 years before the reelection on the campaign, leaving us with the 6 years of the effective (if so) job performance.  So, why not arbitrary reduce the time in the office to 6 years?

Taking the President OFF the road during the campaign would also benefit the country.

I know, that the US Constitution is a ‘sacred’ document.  But the World evolves around us, and the document, which was written more than 200 years ago, needs to evolve (by adding the amendments), to reflect these changes of the external World. 

Is it so hard to imagine, that the Presidents of the United States come to the Oval Office for uninterrupted six years at a time? – Is it so hard to ask, that they devote themselves just to the running of the Country during this time?

I am tired of watching never-ending, always starting earlier (every half a term), National Elections Frenzy (perfectly fed and instigated by the media).  I am tired of watching the President juggling all the “special interest groups”, and instead of choosing GOOD solutions, choosing only “plausible” solutions.

It’s time for a change.

__________________

1* - http://millercenter.org/president

2* - http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/us/politics/04obama.text.html?pagewanted=5

3* - http://mondoweiss.net/2011/09/new-york-magazine-on-obamas-quest-for-money-from-a-list-tribesmen.html

Michele Bachmann – low balling idiot…

I apologize to use a personal insult terms in this blog… I truly thought that I could avoid that…

Sadly, Michele Bachmann forced me to use this personal judgment term – let me explain why:

I have been civil enough not to call her “names” when she proved time and time again, that she didn’t pay much attention in high school to the history class, and has the audacity to use completely fabricated and UNTRUE statements about our “forefathers, like Quincy Adams ‘to fight tirelessly to end slavery’” – when he was 9 years old and wasn’t a USA forefather.  I held my breath when she ‘tirelessly’ contradicted the written history records on other, numerous occasions…

But now, in the end of September of 2011, her incompatible with reality brain cooked up a theory that the Arab Spring was a direct result of the President Obama weakness… (1*).

On September 29th 2011, in Concord, NC. Bachmann also drew a comparison between the fall of the Shah of Iran -- who Bachmann says Jimmy Carter "turned his back" on -- and President Obama's present-day relationship with Israel.

Bachmann also linked the rise of "Radical Jihad" to the fall of the Shah and the 1979 Iranian revolution.

_______

I do not want to list her inconsistencies (OK, plain stupidities), but recall the Quincy Adams remark, her attack on the government subsidies (when her husband psychiatric clinic received the subsidies from the Medicare), etc…

In my opinion such people should be isolated in the psychiatric wards as harmful to the society – in short CRIMINALLY INSANE. 

The First Amendment is a Sacred Law.  Anybody has the right to say what anybody wants…, unless it’s harmful to the society at large.  Saying the Goebels Truths (lies repeated thousand times) should be punishable by law – if the politician who has a legal statue does it.  Michele Bachmann crossed the line…

__________________

1* -  http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/09/29/8038856-bachmann-condemns-arab-spring-blames-it-on-obama

Palestine – is it going to be the 194th nation?

This year’s Summer was not a very typical one, neither in America, nor in the whole World.  Usually bringing fewer excitements, than other seasons, this one let us witness a political shakedown in the USA, fall of Gaddafi’s regime, slaughter of innocents in Syria…

Autumn (I don’t want to call it FALL in this article…), usually brings to New York City a refreshing breeze, cooling a bit overheated streets.  It brings also the UN Session.

Most of them come and go unnoticed to the typical New Yorkers, but this one is awaited with anticipation, even anxiety of sort.  In couple of days Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, is going to present his case for the statehood of Palestine, to the UN Security Council.

He’s been networking for this cause tirelessly, since the beginning of the Arab Spring.  He appealed to the people and the politicians in the Middle East, Europe, and other parts of the World.  Finally Abbas came to New York to close it...
__________
About 63 years ago the new country appeared on the maps of the Middle East - Newly Created Country – Israel.  The World’s public opinion was unified.  After the WWII, and the Holocaust it was obvious that it was a high time to give the long oppressed people, the place which they could call: home.  So, the Jews, who lived all over the World were given a place where they would be welcomed, and which would be THEIRS, from that time on.  Finally, after the years of disregarding the problem, and witnessing the attempt to execute “a madman’s diabolical plan” to exterminate the whole race, this race earned the right to have the place of their own.
As the result of the Arab-Israeli war of 1948, which broke afterwards, the place provided by the UN resolution for the new state, was substantially augmented.

The same time, for another race, instead of the national celebration, came the NAKBA (“nakba” in a loose translation is a "day of the catastrophe").  According to the UNRWA estimates, more than 711 thousand Palestinians (mostly Arabic-speakers), had to flee or were forcefully displaced from their land (*1).  Refugees are not only those who were displaced, but also their descendents.  It brings the total number of Palestinian Refugees, a sizable part of the Palestinian Diaspora, to about 5 Million people (almost the same amount of Palestinians live within the Israeli borders) (*2).

In the wake of 1967 Arab-Israeli Six-Day War, UN Security Council unanimously passed the Resolution 242, calling for the cessation of the hostilities and stipulating:  (*3)
1. Withdrawal of all Israeli forces from the disputed territories.
2. Respect for the sovereignty of the territories.
3. Guaranteeing freedom of navigation through the international waterways in the area.
4. Achieving the just settlement of the refugee problem.
5. Guaranteeing the territorial inviolability and political independence of every State in the area.

This resolution became a foundation, and a reference point of the whole process of peace-talks, which have been conducted to a very unsatisfactory effect throughout these four decades (*4).

Since the Camp David talks in 1978, the hopes of the involved people rose periodically… but never lasted long, ruined by the inflexibility, or (let’s call it) stubbornness of the Israeli politicians, who insisted time and time again, on creating new Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, and refusal of allowing any refugees to return.

Let’s be reminded at this moment that all the demands of the Resolution 242 were based on the condition, which read:
“(…) Emphasizing the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war (…)”.

Since the Peace-Process had been initiated, whole generations of the new refugees were born, and suffered their refugee fate.  The whole generations of the world’s spectators were born and matured waiting in vain (so far) for the right solution to the “Palestinian problem”.

We witnessed the terrorist acts of the PLO, plane hijacking, and bombings.  We witnessed the heavy-handed responses of the Israeli Security Forces, and counted dead civilians in Gaza and West Bank.  We witnessed The Noble Peace Price ceremony when former terrorist, Yasser Arafat became outspoken politician – a champion of his people.  We witnessed his untimely demise (poisoned by someone who had a stake in ending his charismatic leadership).  We witnessed the new initiatives brought to the table, and eventually rotting away, like sour grapes.
We witnessed sometimes resolute and moderate Israeli governments, and other times the likes of Tzipi Livni (an executioner of 1460 Palestinians during Cast Lead Campaign in 2008), or Benjamin Netanyahu, who got angry with President Obama, when the latter remarked that the Peace-Talks had to be based on the 1967 borders.

But sometimes it just looks like a bad case of “good cop – bad cop” routine, when the representatives of the US Governments on one hand push for the cessation of the settlements in the occupied territories, and on the other hand - veto the resolutions (or notions) condemning these settlements.

_________________
All people have the right to have their own place on Earth.  To me, it’s an undisputable tenant of the civilization.  Jews have their state, and rightfully so.
But the same rule applies to the people who, like Jews, have been in Palestinian territories from the same, ancient times (or even earlier if we count Philistines as the Palestinian forefathers).  There is no logical, accepted by the World community, argument against the State of Palestine.

Against, it‘s only Israel – unfortunately supported in this issue by my own country – America.  The Obama Government (Susan Rice – the US Ambassador to the UN) warned that the US would veto the Palestinian Statehood in the UN.
According to Israeli spokesperson the only acceptable way of ending the 40 years old impasse is through the direct talks between Palestinians and Israelis…  Has it worked so far?  When the settlement are out of the question, and the borders of 1967 are out of the question (as un-defensible) – and the UN sanctioned statehood is out of the question… What’s left?

In his famous “olive branch” speech in Cairo, President Obama extended his hand to the Arab Nations and to the Palestinians:
“On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people – Muslims and Christians – have suffered in pursuit of a homeland.  For more than sixty years they have endured the pain of dislocation.  Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead.  They endure the daily humiliations – large and small – that come with occupation.  So let there be no doubt: the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable.  America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own. (…)That is in Israel’s interest, Palestine’s interest, America’s interest, and the world’s interest.  That is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience that the task requires.  The obligations that the parties have agreed to under the Road Map are clear.  For peace to come, it is time for them – and all of us – to live up to our responsibilities.”
The United Nations Security Council vote will determine soon who stands for the Peace in the Middle East, and who wants to sacrifice it for the sake of the comfort of the current, aggressive Israeli government.

We all heard the catastrophic scenarios of what would have happened if Abbas fulfilled his promise and asked for the Statehood.  It just transpired as strong threats from the state of Israel.  But unfortunately the USA joined this bullying act, threatening with cutting the ‘foreign aid’ to Palestine, which alone would cripple the Palestine’s economy.  Israel on its account threatens with confiscating the revenues earned by West Bank and Gaza even farther increasing the Palestinian hardship.
___________
When are we going to stop this madness?

As I repeated time and time again: nothing is now the way it was before.  The World changes.
The World changes due to the Information Superhighway, better self-awareness of the people in previously remote, and oppressed by the Colonial Superpowers countries.
Thus the Arab Spring, and its execution – bringing shock and awe to all, who were afraid of extreme islamization, radicalization leading to terrorism…
Nothing like that happened (it still may…), and the people – protagonists of these epic turns of history – proved that they wanted the same as every American, German, or English… respect, sovereignty, independence…
____________

A few days ago, President Carter – the President who started the (in-) famous Peace-Process between Israel and Palestinians – stated clearly that: “As an alternative to a deadlock and a stalemate now, we reluctantly support the Palestinian move for recognition” (*6).

Reluctantly, or not – the support for the Palestinian Statehood is due now!

Nothing is now as it used to be.  Palestinians are not a bunch of terrorists, as the World viewed them 40 years ago.  They are just ‘dead tired’ people who want to be free and live in peace.  But if one pushes them too hard, they do not have much to loose.  Desperate people behave desperately.
On the same token, Israel is not a poor, battered “holocaust survival” any more, but a new champion for “Apartheid”.
Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Wednesday that a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state would have “dire consequences” (*6).

They have proven already, that they are not interested in the Peace-Process, or any sort of negotiations, but to preserve a convenient “status quo” by all cost.  Does the USA have to second it?

It’s time to stand by the principles of Democracy, and support the People who have been suffering long enough, too long in any understandable context – and support the move for the Palestinian Statehood.
The TIME is now.


________________________________
*1.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestinian_refugee
*2.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestinian_diaspora
*3.  http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/RESOLUTION/GEN/NR0/240/94/IMG/NR024094.pdf?OpenElement
*4.  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6666393.stm
*5.  http://sweetness-light.com/archive/obamas-cairo-speech-the-transcript
*6.  http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/63481.html

911 Anniversary – Western and Other Worlds…

Anniversaries come and go.  All of them force us to reflect on the events, to speculate on the different courses the history (or only your history) might have taken, only if…

The 10th Anniversary of the Attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon calls for such a reflection in all of us, not only in the States, but more or less, around the whole World. 

We all know what happened (maybe with an exception of some ‘conspiracy theorists’ who are simply oblivious to the facts).  It affected us all, directly, or indirectly.  The World, as we knew it before September 11, 2001 doesn’t exist any more. 

It fell victim of the attack and destruction of the World Trade center, at that day, along with about 3000 of human beings.  Although, from a 10-year perspective, this number (no matter how horrific it is for us), seems small, when compared to the number of all people who lost their lives, as a consequence of this atrocious act.

_____

It was a beautiful morning in New York.  Typical, late Summer day in New York City.  Clear air, wonderful visibility, completely cloudless sky…

Even before IT happened, my life took a un-happy turn…  I was “licking my psychological wounds” after having spent the preceding year Day Trading NASDAQ stocks in a downtown office.  It was only a year, but it coincided with the “Internet Bubble” burst, when all NASDAQ stocks behave like a bunch of broncos, jumping all over the place with no pattern. 

I looked through the office window on the steel and glass facade of the South Tower of the WTC, trying to find solace, in the rough marked conditions.  In the middle of August, after a year of a ‘crush’ course in trading (no pun intended), I finally had enough, returning to what was my primary vocation. 

On September 11, still immersed in a ‘self pity’ (caused by my market experiences), I woke up alerted by my wife’s slightly panicked phone call, after she saw the first plane hitting the World Trade Center tower.  I turned on the TV set and…  everything changed…

A couple of hours later, from the windows of my Upper East Side apartment (roughly 5 miles from the Ground Zero) I saw people looking like zombies…  The wind also brought the Smell.  Diluted along its 5-mile travel it wasn’t a stench anymore, it had almost subtle qualities.  I smelled it for the first time in my life.  It was so unique, so particular, that when few years later, while driving through some industrial quarters of Alexandria, Egypt, I had a whiff of something vaguely resembling it, my eyes watered instantly…  I had to stop for a moment, almost crushed by the gravity of this recollection.

And yet, a few hours after the collapse of the WTC towers, when zombie-like people, frightened, and confused, walked Uptown to their homes, in some Upper East Side restaurants, some Upper-East-Siders still enjoyed their drinks and oyster lunches… 

To me, the World had just stopped – for some others, is was almost ‘business as usual’…

Bin Laden, the mastermind of this attack, threatened to destroy our way of life…  As much as I hate to admit that, he succeeded in his devious plan.  Life in America, and in the most of the countries in the World has changed forever, in the aftermath of that attack.

__________

I do not want to dwell on the historical background of the Modern World’s Power distribution, nor to reinvent the history.  Yet, I would like to point out a few circumstances, which are responsible for creation of the ‘tinder box’ on which we all live.  It is as simple as that:

The superpowers of the Past, Colonial Era, like the UK, France, Spain, Italy worked ‘tirelessly’ for centuries on creating the hatred of the people in their colonies.  At that time the World was divided on 3 categories:

1. the colonial superpowers,

2. their subjects,

3. other countries, who were even too far, not significant strategically, inconveniently located, or simply too strong to become colonies.

Even after the French Revolution, the New France hadn’t abandoned its imperialistic appetites.  In the Napoleonic times the Caribbean Islands were swiped with, brutally dealt with, slaves uprisings - one after another.  The same fate was shared later by the Italian domain – Libya, English colonies in Far East, or French Indochina.

The times have changed, the super-powers and their appetites, stayed the same.  In the XX-th Century the short list of Super-powers was ‘enriched’ by the new Super-Power – the United States of America.

The times, with their growth of technology and communication, changed the colonial system.  It had to evolve, adjusting to the requirements of newly developed countries (former colonies).  Total control of these countries has proven to be too costly, completely ineffective, not to say impossible to maintain.  All of the former colonies have developed strong independence movement, and giving them their sovereignty became the only option left on a table.  And so it happened. 

The same happened more or less simultaneously in the Far East, the Arabic Countries of the Middle East, Latin America… Africa in general.

The UN welcomed the new countries, one by one.  In 1900 the World consisted of 57 countries and it’s domains.  In 2011 this number raised to 193, and we can count on enlarging it soon.

In most of the former colonies, the former colonial powers tried, and often succeeded, placing their puppets on the thrones of the new Kingdoms, or new military Dictators on chairs of the new “parliamentary democracies”.  Many of these countries, exploded in the long lasting wars with unspeakable atrocities committed by all sides of the newly developed conflicts.  Many, avoided the wars, diving in the decades of the internal oppressions – like in Libya, Egypt, Syria, Bahrain, etc.

When the conventional Colonial system ceased to exist, the new, economical, or “economically-ideological colonial system” replaced it.  Russia and China assured themselves access to resources in many countries on a ‘false pretense’ of helping them oppose the Western Imperialism.  Western countries used the same argument against Russian intrusion, sponsoring the opposition, or organizing the “coupe d’ètat”.

The World’s population rose from 1.6 Billion people in 1900 to 3.0 Billion people in 1960 and 6.75 Billion people in 2011.  Such a World needs tremendous amount of resources just to maintain its industrial (economical) growth. 

With the rise of the Multinational Corporations producing more and cheaper (and still on a quest to produce even more and even cheaper) the World’s balance has been slightly altered. 

_____

Most of the under-developed countries may benefit from the involvement of the Western Industry and its technology. 

May, does not mean, that they do. 

In most of the cases the deals with the Western Industries are not done by the Nations, but by the Dictatorial governments, who DO NOT REPRESENT the people, and have only their own interests in their minds.  In many cases these deals, these contracts, lead to exploitation of the people who are employed in he process, as well as exploitation of the environment.

And this is the culprit of the hostile attitude of the populations of so many underdeveloped countries toward the USA, Great Britain, France, etc., in general THE WEST. 

This is the main reason why the frustrated masses, who live on the verge of poverty in many of these countries, respond to the demagogy of the Al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations. 

Desperate people tend to behave desperately…

Even though American Presidents (even Bush Jr.) always stressed that “America has never been and never would be in a war with Islam”, the masses in the countries of Islam, indoctrinated as much as there are, do not believe it.

Yesterday, I saw a TV program, in which the journalist showed photographs of the exploding, and collapsing Twin Towers to Afghan people on the street.  The pictures were shown to completely random people (who would stop and agree to talk).  Most of them have never seen the images like that, and had no knowledge of the fact.  They had no knowledge of the fact, which was the cause of the 10 years of war.  They had no knowledge of the reason why the American and NATO forces have been in war with their country.

Everything what has been said about the WTC attack, and the Afghan War, and everything what has been done in relation to that, has been said and done on a premise, that everybody had known the facts pertaining to that.  However, it seems that the population of Afghanistan is missing the most crucial piece of information: WHY they have been in war…

_______

I can never forgive the organizers of the attack on WTC towers.  There is no argument anybody could produce to justify it.

What came afterwards, was just a reaction…

It cost us dearly:  we lost our personal freedoms with the implementation of the Patriot Act.

It cost us dearly:  we, Americans, have lost our ‘innocence’ being pushed into the Iraq war on “false pretenses” by the President Bush and V-Pres Chaney (we, as a nation have lost it once already – Vietnam War has been never totally digested, and justified, especially when 58 thousands of American lost their lives in it).

It cost us dearly:  6240 American soldiers lost their lives already (Afghanistan - 1766, Iraq - 4474).

It cost us dearly:  we can attribute some of the economical instability of the USA to the focus on the two UNWANTED wars, instead of the welfare of the NATION.

It cost the World dearly:  about a million of Iraqis perished in the unleashed sectarian violence, after the removal of Saddam Husein.  Countries in ruins.

_______

Ten years have past since the fall of the Twin Towers. 

So many events started on this September morning have the consequences, which are our lives now, and probably always will.

Every cataclysm, man made or otherwise, is an occasion to reflect on:

- was it preventable?

- can we prevent it in the future, and if so, how – by force or by creating better understanding between adversary societies, religions, economical systems…

Have we learned anything from it?

Libya – US politics: D. Welch and D. Kusinich involvment…

The Libyan conflict seems to proceed toward the only reasonable outcome – building of the new, democratic state in the post Gaddafi reality.
The war with the Gaddafi loyalists is not over.  Colonel himself hasn’t been found yet.  Although, from time to time we could hear his “barking”, and spewing hatred, communiques, promising a bloodbath to all who dared opposing him, he and his forces are less, and less likely to create any real thread to the will of the nation.
The city of Sirte, Colonel’s birthplace and the last stand of his supporters (also his possible place of hiding), received an ultimatum from the Rebel Forces: surrender before the Saturday (09.03) or face a bloody end of existence.

Learning on the example of Tunisia and Egypt, that the 2011 Arab Rebellions might be as fast as lightning, both America, and NATO reacted relatively fast to the call from the UN (resolution 1973) calling for “protection of the civilians by any means necessary”, and launched the campaign against Gaddafi forces, allowing the Rebels to advance, and eventually reach and take the city of Tripoli, with its vast archives full of proofs of inhumane atrocities committed against anybody who’s thinking didn’t go along the government indicated lines.

Gaddafi’s bureaucratic machine was very efficient, and documented in details the ways the regime acted during the 42 years of the Gaddafi’s “leadership”.  Although some members of the apparatus did their best to destroy the evidence, burning the whole buildings containing the archives, a lot of the paperwork fell in the hands of the Rebels, and later to the hands of journalists.  Every day of the ‘post Gaddafi’ era will be bringing some ground braking revelations.

One of these days is TODAY.
 

Al Jazeera News Team reported today on the documents found in the offices of the Intelligence Headquarters in Tripoli.  The building was evacuated in a hurry.  The personnel, fearing for their lives didn’t have enough time to set the place ablaze.

Usually, the news provided by Al Jazeera was credible, and easily confirmed by some other news sources.  This time, since they concern the newest development, confirming them is not possible.  I understand this limitation, and report it after Al Jazeera with such a waiver.  However, if the allegations suggested in the report are true, they are an evidence of nothing less, but treason, by two (at this point) representatives of the American Establishment: David Welch (former Assistant Secretary of the State), and Dennis Kucinich
(Democratic Congressman from the State of Ohio).

Before I attempt to comment on the findings, I will loosely repeat, what was reported by Al Jazeera:
____________
Retrieved from the abandoned Intelligence Headquarters in Tripoli documents suggest the high rank American politicians tried to help Gaddafi – prevent toppling of the regime.

Despite of Gaddafi’s anti-American rhetoric his regime was in direct contact with highly influential American figures, until just weeks ago.  In the offices of Abdullah Senussi (Gaddafi’s Head of intelligence Service)
Al Jazeera found detailed documents about communication between senior Libyan officials and David Welch (American diplomat who served as Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, as well as was instrumental in braking a deal between Libyan regime and the USA in 2008, ending years of histilities.
Currently D. Welch works for BECHTEL corporation, with $Billions in construction projects across the Middle East).
David Welch met with Gaddafi’s representatives in the Four Seasons Hotel in Cairo on August 02 this year.
At this meeting Welch advised Gaddafi’s team on ‘how to win a propaganda war’, suggesting some ‘confidence building measures’.  He also advised on ‘how to undermine the rebel movement with the possible assistance of foreign intelligence services, including Israel.

“Any information related to Al-Qaeda or other terrorist extremists organizations should be found and given to the American Administration, but only via intelligence agencies of either Israel, Egypt, Morocco or Jordan. America will listen to them… It is better to receive this information as if it originated from those countries”.

The documents also suggest how to take advantage of the current unrest in Syria:

“… the importance of taking advantage of the Syrian situation particularly regarding the double-standard policy adopted by Washington… the Syrians were never your friends and you would lose nothing from exploiting the situation there in order to embarrass the West.”

He also criticized the role of Qatar in the Arab Spring calling it ‘cynical’ – with a goal to divert the world’s attention from the unrest in Bahrain.

David Welch promised to present the matter to the American Administration, Congress, and other influential figures, and lobby for it.
According to Welch the solution of the conflict should be based on: Gaddafi stepping aside - but not relinquishing his powers.  Proposed by him solution is not along the official White House statement, which says that Gaddafi MUST STEP DOWN.
_____________________________________________

When the NATO was locked in the battle with the Gaddafi’s Regime, also other political figures in the US, gave their help to the Regime.

Representative Dennis Kucinich (Democratic Congressman from the State of Ohio) opposed the American and NATO involvement in the Libyan conflict from the beginning.  On March 18, when the US started implementing the No-Fly Zone in Libya (in accordance with UN Resolution 1973), Kucinich in his lengthy statement condemned the American “unlawful attack on a sovereign country” and suggested the impeachment procedure against the president Obama.

The same Dennis Kucinich is a subject of the discovered in the Intelligence Headquarters document.
The document in question is a letter addressed to Saif al-Islam al-Gaddafi – one of the Colonel’s sons, who is a subject of the International Criminal Court investigation – with the warrant issued for his capture.
The letter contains a summery of the conversation between the Representative Kucinich and the intermediary for the Gaddafi’s son.
The details relate to the Kucinich’s request to be provided with information, which could help to lobby the American Lawmakers to stop support for the Libyan Transitional Council, and put an end to the NATO airstrikes.  His inquiry suggested the existence of Al-Qaeda elements.

“Any corrupt (verifiable) acts by the Opposition leaders.  Include any personal motives for instance to make money or gain certain types of power.  Any known Al-Qaeda operating in the Opposition”?

He asked also for a specific info to be used to defend Saif al Gaddafi in ICC in Hague.

Finally, and more significantly, Kucinich asked for any evidence, which could be used to file lawsuits against the NATO and against the USA.
____________________________________

Let me be clear – the report provided by Al Jazeera is very disturbing.
If it’s unsubstantiated smear campaign, with a gain to discredit American politicians… It’s despicable and simply very low.

But, if the allegations contained in the Al Jazeera report, reported today in their News programming is true…
It would mean that some of our, American politicians (and I would like to believe, that only two) simply committed treason.  Let’s not be afraid of this word.  TREASON.
What they did, not only counteracts the agreed upon support for the Libyan Opposition, but undermines the official political position of the United States, and its President.

Quite recently the World learned with bewilderment, that American Political Trenches are so deeply dug, that the compromise across the party lines is virtually impossible.  We have learned that some Conservative politicians would rather see the Country fall in the long lasting recession (if we defaulted on our debts), just to prove their ‘unshaken’ convictions.
Now, we all learn, that there are also politicians who would risk ‘defacing’ American International Policy (if there is anything left of its face), just to feed their ego, or some convoluted private agendas.

David Welch is now a ‘private citizen’.  We know it, but when he meets with the foreign parties and acts like having the authority to negotiate, he creates different impression.  So, has he acted alone – with no authorization from the white House, or was it done to discuss “a Plan B”, and to create the situation of “full deniability” if it fails...

David Kucinich is not a private citizen.  He is a Congressman in the US Congress.  He is one of the 435 publicly elected representatives who are supposed to have the Country interest on their mind in whatever they say, or do.
I understand that some actions may be conducted by seemingly unimportant politicians, and then create something good, or something more important transpires… Such was a case of Representative Charlie Wilson (Democrat from Texas), whose unilateral action originated Operation Cyclone – the largest ever, covert operation resulting in arming the Afghan rebels with the weaponry to combat Soviet aircrafts.  His actions in the result helped bringing down the Soviet Empire to its knees.
But in case of David Kucinich… it looks like acting against his own Government, and the interests of his own Country…

Every war is ugly.  It is ugly while the war in on, and the people perish for no reason… But every war is probably more ugly for many years after the hostile activities are ceased, when the public opinion learns about the deceit, and conniving by all parties involved.

What are we going to learn about our involvement in the World’s affairs?  Is it going to help us understand the World’s complexity, or we will learn over and over that the “particular interests of some individuals” may be the driving force of the countries politics.
Particular interests of the individuals, or very small groups – versus the billions who are only on the receiving end, without a chance to say otherwise…
++