Battle for Hearts and Minds

Battle for Hearts and Minds
Is America safer today than it was eight years ago? It’s the sort of question that the crafty Ronald Reagan asked to Jimmy Carter and turned him into a smiling soft Buddha in front millions, and so forever doomed his reelection chances. In 2008, the Republican nominee cannot dare asked a similar question and risk further tarnishing his image amongst the staunch Reaganist and Conservative fan base that are concerned about winning and the prospects of stacking the Courts with more judges. Likewise Obama the Democratic nominee must thread cautiously as the country has changed considerably since the Clintons held office. If he does not want to be stuck with the Carter label, then he must remember that a henchman with a similar sounding name to his masterminded one of the most devastating terrorist attack on the USA with far reaching implications.
It resulted in two ongoing wars, millions of resources and finances, and the country in a more tenuous and precarious economic situation the likes few have ever seen except in the history books about the depression. The big question that is now posed in the media and before the people is, who can make you safer? Is it the old school, hot tempered fiery maverick with the foul mouth that can keep his powerful wife in her place, or the young charismatic idealist that finds this task to be a challenge without the help of Woppi Goldberg, Barbara Walters and Joy Bahor to rein her in?
Mr . Mc Cain is proud of his history and boast of defending his country in a war that was lost, and believe that the experience should serve him well in the next war that the country is carded to be involve with for the next hundred years. He has the confidence of the Generals in the Military because he was one of them. He has been around the political block on Pennsylvania Avenue for over four decades, and believes that he has the track record to reach across the isle and get thing things done with little efforts. He is confident that he has no racial skeletons in his closet as he is the proud father of a black Indian baby and was very moderate on the immigration border issues much to the wrath of his own party and a few minuet on the Arizona are Mexican border. Obama likes his chances, as the agent of change that is geared to shake Washington up, and his failure to be enamored by any special interest lobbyist with their pocket full of money and kickbacks. He believes that as long as he stays on message, and gives hope the people’s revolution will succeed.
Back to the safety issue what should now be considered is to what extent does wearing a uniform and waging in battles make you a better candidate to run the country? To Obama camp the track records of former Generals who became commander in chief are not always pleasant for the country. It should be noted that it was under General Ike that the first CIA orchestrated coup ever took place by America on Iran some 55 years ago. [1] The US then continued to pump millions of economic and military aid including nuclear technology to help bolster the image of the puppet regime by the western educated dictator, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. This massive militarization and spending enabled the emergence of the Shah as a regional super power and “policeman of the Persian Gulf.”[2] The blow back led to the fist psychological victory by militant Islam against American Super Power in 1979 when 52 of its citizens were held captive for 444 days by a mob. [3] To counteract Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini “fanatical Shiism,” a barbarian Iraqi Arab call Saddam Hussein was created by the Americans. This presented even more danger in the world as he soon began four successive wars in the next twenty four years that have surely contributed to further destabilization of an already unsafe world- especially for the world sold Superpower and global police.
Both wars in Afghanistan and Iraq it seem is heading no where soon towards a positive victory, and so much was lost with very little achieved. Both leaders at times have appeared to be very disingenuous and have flip flop on stated policies even before assuming office. On the domestic scene the nation have been lucky thus far, thanks perhaps to the vigilance by law enforcement officials, or is it that the terrorist bad guys have learned their lessons. It is at the foreign policy levels where the mettle will be tested. Anyone that can be more trustworthy to safeguard the country with prudent leadership, as well as firmly define what constitute the national interest, will be the real challenge.



[1] Wayne C. McWilliams & Harry Piotrowski, The World Since 1945: A History of International Relations, Lynne Rienner, Boulder Colorado, 2005, Ch.4, Pg. 97.
[2] Mohsen M. Milani , Iran ‘s Ambivalent World Role .University of Florida- ( Steven W. Hook)Ch.10 Comparative Foreign Policy. Pg. 219
[3] John Perkins, Confession of an Economic Hitman, Plume Book, NY , 2006,Pg. 137-138

Give the British Credit

The war drums are being rolled out once more in Israel and sections of Washington as military elites from both countries attempt to convince their population that Iran and not Iraq, or Saudi Arabia is the real danger in the region that needs to be subdued. Seems like only yesterday that the dreaded Saddam Husein was being flushed out of a foxhole, his statue hauled down unceremoniously from Baghdad and the US President flash his now characteristically famous grin, while he proclaimed victory. With this control of the second largest oil reserve in the world, no one could have anticipated skyrocketing price of oil that exist today, and the almost Vietnam scenario that is prevailing in Iraq and the reverberation throughout the region as a whole.[1]
For those of you reluctant or too lazy to look beyond CNN, Fox, and a few other ideological pseudo Intellectuals, here is the real deal. Blame everything on the crafty British. Unfortunately those folks do not get enough credit, especially for some of the chaos that is occurring across the globe. Every debate places blame on the Cold War, UN,tribalism and a whole host of unrelated issues. For once I would like to see some credit given to where it due. Ever heard about divide and rule? Who do you believed invented that the French, Greeks or the British? If you choose the last, then you obviously have a high IQ, therefore kudos to you for being so astute.
Let me, an objective voice of reason, break it down finally for you folks. The British were also some of the craftiest people on earth and have led the way towards what is today often referred to as globalization in a very cost effective way. We all know what occurred in North America, Australia, Africa and important parts of Asia as it’s well documented. If I am not mistaken, the USA was acquired for about Two hundred dollars because they skillfully pit the Indian tribes against each other. Presently Indians in both Canada and America are mere afterthoughts as they ponder the real benefits of simulations outside of the occasional alcoholic stupors and casinos rip-offs, and lost cultures.
Australia and Africa were just as easy, the former still have the Queen as head of state and the latter are such perfect students,that they have fervently continued the divisive practices even up to present time against their own people with such relish and pride. Africa today has the distinction of probably being the richest and most neglected continent with some of the most barbaric leaders the world has ever seen, ironically, they are not ungrateful, in that they forever give credit to Mother Britain. You perhaps want to indicate that Rwanda and Congo were French; all I would say in response the French, Belgians and other European colonizers were quick learners, as the Brits were the standard bearers. Need I say Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Liberia? They are some are borderline failed states, while others are real tragedies, all because of the wonderful British legacy of divide and rule.

China and India today are lauded as excellent emerging powers, with savvy business acumen, educated elites, and a few nukes thrown in for good measure. Can you imagine what China would be had it not been for the dreaded nationalist Mao who preached togetherness via his rural peoples social revolution? Those crafty British did such a number on China especially during the Opium wars that it took superhuman efforts and much purging to eradicate that type of deep-rooted social ill. China could have well become the Africa of Asia had it not been for Mao followed by Simi – capitalist Chairman Deng Xiaoping in later years. I know some want to give credit to Richard “I am not a crook” Nixon, but I caution some restraint on that score. Then what about India, immediately after independence they began a Hindu and Muslim war that some feel can still lead to WW111 as both countries of Pakistan and India continue to flaunt their nuclear arsenal while millions live in abject poverty within their respective countries. In a 2004 UNDP Human Development Report, India and Pakistan are ranked 127th and 142nd respectively, out of 177 countries in a human development survey. [2] Give the British credit for that, as they helped control that country during colonial rule by dividing the people religiously and economically. Political elites, military elites, religious elites, the concept was created by the British especially for the Indians in the subcontinent.
It was the Middle East however that the British were able to exert their most devastating influence and test the divide and rule concept to the hilt. Let me indicate immediately that the Arabs, Turks or Persian tribes in the Middle East did not invent suicide bombing, the Hindu Tamil Tigers of India/ Sri Lanka did. The British had a role in creating the friction in Sri Lanka, for just like in India they divided the tribes. In the case of Sri Lanka they foisted educated Tamil elites to have dominion over the native Buddhist Sinhalese people before independence. It created resentments between both groups and has found a useful outlet through violence ever since. As with all useful system, it was exported to the Middle East, where it found fertile ground. We should give the British credit therefore for indirectly helping to spread suicide bombing in the Middle East.
Without the British, the madness that exists today in the Middle East involving the Israel and the scattered Palestinians might not have occurred. The British has always played a conniving role between the early Turkish rulers, Palestinians peasants, and early Zionist settlers that is felt even today. Because the territorial issue was never fully resolved when the British escaped, Palestinians remained without a state, and their problem has become a symbolic and convenient rallying cause for the divided Arabs and other ethnic groups.
It was the British under Winston Churchill’s nudging that encouraged the first CIA orchestrated coup to oust Iran’s democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh. This was in retaliation for Iran’s parliamentary decision to nationalize the property of Anglo – Iranian Oil Company, Britain’s most profitable business in the world at the time.[3] The oil rich country has continually sunk to the bottom of the democratic abyss since the ouster and demise of this former Times Man of the Year leader. The fall out has seen the dictator Shah, theocratic Ayatollah, and now the feared President Mr. Ahmadinejad. So presently, the Turks hate the Arabs, the Persians hate the Arabs and Persians Shiites hate every Sunni Muslim in the world. They all hate the Jews and most of her allies for the humiliations they have undergone after countless wars.
The Jewish people are scared and feel threatened. As such, this country the size of New Jersey, has the third largest military in the world as well as not-so -secret nuclear weapons that it cannot openly use but feels obligated to prevent anyone else of acquiring such weapons in the region. The people that started it-the British, stands on the side with a polite smile and feign concern as others steal the limelight. For this is how clever they are.
You can observe Bob Gildoff who started live aid to feed starving Ethiopians, to ex Prime Minister Blair who is now the Middle East Peace Guru after kicking President Carter to the curb. Pay attention to the recent fortunes of poor Mr. Carter, as he is now relegated to , and labeled as an anti Semite and possible pro terrorist because of his recent stance on war, peace and security and justice for everyone in the region- a policy any one beyond the age of 10, with a week of high school education and reading ability is aware of. My advice, pay some attention to the British as the war drums rolls.
The Iranian I know was once a great people and I would like to see them return to that level. I cannot imaging another war in the region , and the possibility of the nation following the lead of first Afghanistan and now Iraq by allowing itself to be bombed and demolished almost to the Stone Age threshold . For selfish reasons also, I am concerned as the likelihood of paying 20:00 $ per gallon for gas or waiting for one of Al Gore Hybrids in 2021 is difficult to also contemplate. Let peace reign, and may the Brits save us soon. I have faith after Libya spitfire turn around, and so should you.




[1] Michael Klare, Blood and Oil, pg 19, Metro Books NY, 2004
[2] Indo-Asian News Service, India ranks 127th in UN human development survey. http://human-development-news.newslib.com/story/1697-420532/
[3] Wayne C. McWilliams & Harry Piotrowski, The World Since 1945: A History of International Relations, Lynne Rienner, Boulder Colorado, 2005, Ch.4, Pg. 97.

Half Pregnant and Eating One's cake

The manner that countries handle crises can be quite revealing. There was a time when there was a very distinctive approach between full democracies and that of state controlled and dictatorships. That has since evaporated as the world became more flat in Thomas Friedman mold. This author you might recognize is that perennial globalization optimist from the New York Times that saw only positive results akin to a level playing field from commerce, technology and outsourcing as exuded by the likes of emerging economic powerhouses such as India and China.
In 2004 Russia’s democratic patience was tested when it was forced to react swiftly to deal with Chechnya freedom fighters and hostage takers that held more than 1000 people including children for more than 62 hrs in a school sweltering gymnasium, as they refused to let in food or water. The draconian reaction was very forceful by the Russians determine to stave off any propaganda credits for the Muslim separatists rebels. [1]This was reminiscent of that levied on the nation from time to time by the KGB and military during the heyday of communism. The world cringed in horror, but was impotent to do anything as Russian President Putin was quick to indicate their equivalent to September and also a war upon terror.
First there was the SARS epidemic that exposed an inadequate health program and a penchant for deceit, now there is deadly earthquake in Sichuan province have taken thousands of lives, left thousand homeless and perhaps might stand a good chance to halt China’s chance at holding a puppet show of progress and democracy via a useless summer Olympics. A few pandering politicians and celebrities have given lip service by pretending to be disgust at China’s human record with respect to Tibetans and obstructionist behavior at the Security Council in defense of Sudanese Muslim tyrants so as to guarantee its supply of oil to feed hungry industrial domestic machinery. By an large the country is getting low marks for response, infrastructure and other areas of neglect as it tries to put forward a fake image in an effort to allay fears and indicate to the all that all is fine in the borderline capitalist country. Very few are falling for the propaganda diatribe with the exception of the brain washed and gullible party hacks that are willing to believe that democracy is alive and well in China. Both countries of Russia and China are having the best of both worlds. That is, pretending to be capitalist democracies while simultaneously behaving like tyrants .Both are useful members in the international community whose actions and influence can have a huge impact on far reaching affairs. If Russia can only manage affairs in Oil rich Central Asia neighbors then perhaps the Middle East stranglehold on the west might be history. If China can deal within with its Taiwanese, Tibetan, Sudan and similar domestic human rights affairs greater results might accrue. But then to have one’s cake and eating it is not too bad a proposition as well.

Reconciliation , an upward spirial

On June 11Th 2008, Canada’s Prime Minister created an historical act by apologizing on behalf of his nation for abuses and other atrocious that were committed against some 100,000 native children during the course of the country’s short history. In the past many of the nation’s aboriginal children were forced to become fully integrated into the culture of the Canada through special educational. It is believed that this and other form of sexual abuses and isolation of their children have forced many of the aboriginal groups to become victims of drug abuses and other social problems. It is not unlike similar force integration movements that were fostered on Australia’s aboriginal groups and their children by European conquerors and colonizers. That society has experienced similar social problems of alcoholism and other forms of drug abuses.
Canada closest neighbor is the USA. They too have an aboriginal population that has suffered immensely from similar forms of forced assimilation and efforts at social integration into main stream American society. In America is a special place in that it has always been the place where millions of immigrants have sort refuge and the chance of a better life. It is a challenging prospect for many, a can be even greater based one education or socio- economic as well as social support mechanisms that are in place to aid the transition. It is clearly the case that American immigrants more than most in other industrialized countries, tend to experience an easier part to assimilation especially if they are prepared to buy into the age old notion of ‘The American dream.’
Afro Americans are a unique group when it comes to this complex debate assimilation verses immigrants. Contrary to the distorted portrayals in the media, most are very conservative, law abiding, spiritual, family oriented, enterprising, and goal centered people. They are passionate in their views and with few exceptions love themselves and their culture- whatever that is. A huge paradox prevail however that can explain the dichotomous behaviors that was brought out in public in the recent Rev Writ diatribe on his beloved country. Many can be very critical about this country particularly with respect to domestic policies-but at the same time are very passionate about it and will defend its name and honor at every given opportunity. After all, who would not want to defend the name and honor of what is perceived as the greatest country on earth. In addition this country is all they know- and that is one of the paradoxes. The second one is, tied up in the question of who really is an American. How many generations must past before that honor is bestowed upon a group?
I was quite amused recently when I listened to a speech of a strong and respectable reparation proponent that wanted monies bestowed on descendants of ex slaves in this country based on how many generations the family lived in the USA. So let us look at that long forgotten promise of ‘40 acres and a mule.’ In today’s language it might represent a Lexus and perhaps a million dollars. That is, if you can trace your ancestors back to the plantation. If not…… well you can imagine how complex this can be both from a logistical and political stand point.
So where does that leave this much maligned, disgruntled and neglected group called African Americans? The point is that this group has exhibited many of the same issues and deep-rooted social problems that are experienced by the several aboriginal groups that I referred to earlier. In addition they too in many cases and with few exceptions are reluctant to adopt most of the values and cultural patterns of behaviors much favored by the mainstream, dominant majority and- in their case- ancestral slave owners. The results are a very large underclass population. Many are suffering bouts of despair, anger and frustrations that have transcended several generations. Not surprisingly, some of the harshest critics to immigration of all races and classes are African Americans. The problems are that many are clueless as to why. It is surely a classic case of misplaced venom. Where there should be solidarity, divisions prevail. The greater complications are the identity crisis and other prevailing problems that are creeping in to the lives of children of Immigrants groups that belong to the Diasporas from African, Caribbean and other places across the globe. We certainly have much more work that needs to be done. ,but I am an optimist.

Global Security , a Paradox

Can nuclear deterrence work in making the world safer?


Throughout the history of mankind, fellow humans have found a way to unleashed some of the most barbaric, and callous acts on one another. A few have stood out and their after effects are sometimes felt even on to present time. One such was the dehumanizing European African Slave trade, and the eventual enslavement of millions of Africans and their descendants in the Caribbean and America. The other was the Jewish Holocaust conducted by the Germans. Within recent times we saw two blatant acts of genocide committed in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda in full view of a reticent Europe, and the United Nations. Although these several acts from irked the conscience of many, it was the unloading of two atomic bombs by America on the Japanese people that shook the world and the sensibilities of all. This superior technology resulted in massive instantaneous devastation of the two cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.[1] It also saw the demise of close to 200, 000 lives, many of which were innocent civilians. [2]Most importantly, it did achieve its main objective as planned by then Commander in Chief President Harry S. Truman. It was able to finally coerce the Japanese military and government hierarchy to surrender and end a war that was destine to cost many more American military lives had it prolonged indefinitely.
The fall out from the introduction of this powerful technology in the equation was tremendous. It saw a tremendous spike in interest for nuclear weapons technology by most nations. The United States military power improved and it status already embolden by Europe’s destruction, spiraled upwards to Superpower levels even more. The United States and the USSR began a nuclear arms race and a 40 year ideological Cold War. An interesting fact emerged; no country has since used the nuclear technology on another to the same degree. The two Cold war protagonist huffed and puffed but never used the weapons against each other in fear of the consequences. It did not however stop some 291 interstate conflicts from being fought with conventional arms- many proxy wars of the super powers themselves - that eventually resulted in 22 millions lost lives. [3]
Even after this most convincing data about the amount of conflicts across the globe, there are social scientist that subscribe to the view that the acquisition of nuclear weapons is the best partway to peace. By this they obviously mean, nuclear peace. It should be noted again that none of the eight known countries that knowingly have nuclear weapons ever used it against each other, and this has therefore created a new dilemma. Some new emerging countries with the means at their disposal are tempted to acquire the technology primarily because of this fact. In addition, they have become fearful for their own safety especially since the protective umbrella that existed under the Cold war protection has since evaporated at “the end of history.”
Libya and Iraq are no longer interested, one voluntarily, the other by force. Iran and North Korea are presently under the radar as tensions and post Cold War power realities are seen to prevail in their respective regions. These countries are tempted to resist what they perceive as ethno –centric, Western, neo- imperialist thinking that tend to imply that they as third world countries lack the rational calculations of their more developed counterparts to acquire nuclear technology and use it for peaceful purposes. [4]
The ugly specter of global terrorism has raised its head, and the world is in panic mode. One of the rumors that is often repeated and has fast been accepted as absolute truth is that these are rouge states that sponsored terrorist in the past, and are still terrorist sympathizers. Should they be allowed to follow the Non Proliferation Treaty international law, and get access to peaceful nuclear energy technology like half the world did, they might allow it to get into the hands of dangerous non- state -actors that can possibly use it against the entire world. Apparently it was done before, by US ally and a country that today leads the war on terror - Pakistan, led by ‘nuclear globalization scientist’ Dr A Q. Khan. [5] No one promised an easy gateway to power and peace in “a Hobbesian world that has become according to nasty, brutish and short,”[6] especially with the 1945 introduction of dangerous nuclear weapons technology.
[1] Frank, Richard B. (1999). Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire, pp. 285-287, New York: Penguin Books.
[2] Milton Terris, Nuclear Warhead Triggers, (Journal of Public Health Policy, Vol. 23, No. 4. (2002), p. 506.
[3] John Simpson, Nuclear Non-Proliferation in the Post-Cold War Era, International Affairs (Royal Institute of International Affairs 1944-), Vol. 70, No. 1. (Jan., 1994), pp. 17-39.

[4] Kenneth N. Waltz, The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: More May Be Better, Adelphi Paper No. 171 (London: International Institute for Strategic Studies, 1981
[5] Sharon Squassoni, Iran’s Nuclear Program: Recent Developments, Congressional Research Service Report for Congress, Department of Navy, Historical Library, DC, 05 October 2005
[6]Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, Touchstone edition, 1997,New York http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/phl302/texts/hobbes/leviathan-c.html