Israeli Withdrawal

Letter to the New York Times

Dear editor:

In your editorial West Bank Withdrawal (March 30, 2006) it is stated: “We're not happy with Mr. Olmert's proposal of a unilateral withdrawal. But at this point, we're heartened by anything that leads to an Israeli withdrawal from land that the Palestinians must control if the area is ever going to evolve into two peaceful, co-existing states.”

I’m glad the Times is so happy, but its glee is mired in unreality. Even though it is good that Israel is unilaterally withdrawing on its own initiative, nothing along these lines will satisfy Hamas, Al-Quida, Syria, and Iran, or the hatred shown by the rest of the Middle Eastern Arab/Muslim states. Repeatedly these people, since 1948, have sworn to destroy the State of Israel, kill or drive all the Israelis (Jews) into the Mediterranean Sea, and take over all of the country. Nothing less than this will satisfy them. They don’t want the West Bank and Gaza Strip, they want all of Israel, a country that has had to fight for its life since its inception. And they will stop at nothing to try and take it.

Three Year Review

Dear Editor:

On December 31st each year we sing and remember people and times “For Auld Long Syne.” I’ve never known exactly how those words translate into English, but I assume, among other things, it refers to reviewing the past year and looking forward to the coming twelve months. Perhaps this is a good time to review a little more than one year and take advantage of the third anniversary of the pre-emptive Iraqi war to review the words and leadership of the Bush administration and its lead-up, prognostications, and updates on that conflict. Just consider a few of the statements from the President, the Vice President, and the Secretary of Defense, which have all proved to be inoperable.

1) Saddam Hussein has WMDs; 2) Iraq has a nuclear program and we can’t wait for a mushroom cloud to appear over our country; 3) Here are pictures of mobile chemical labs; 4) Iraq bought nuclear materials from Niger; 5) We will be greeted as liberators; 6) Oil revenues will fund the reconstruction of Iraq after the short war; 7) It will be a short, manageable occupation; 8) Don’t need any more troops; 9) Sadam Hussein is in cahoots with Al-Quida; 10) Our troops’ body armor is sufficient; 11) Major combat is over; 12) Mission Accomplished; 13) You go to war with the army you have; 14) No photos of returning caskets allowed; 15) Insurgency is in its last throes; and last, and most importantly; 16) “Trust Me.”

Based upon the past three years the question for #16 is: Why?

Jordan Times

Dear editor:

Yesterday, the Jordan Times stated that the United States “has presented itself as unacceptably prejudiced against all things Arab. The debate, as it unfolded in Congress and the US media, was absolutely demeaning to Arabs. The question of integrity, the suggestion that Arabs cannot be trusted and the implication that Arabs are terrorists and/or terrorist sympathizers is ugly and unworthy of a country built on immigration.” While I can well understand the thinking and unhappiness that prompted this report, I do not think that the Jordan paper and those in the Middle East understand the feelings and fears of Americans which brought down the deal for Dubai Ports to run six American east coast ports.

While we cannot, and do not, deny that so much of the Arab and/or Muslim world in the Middle East and around the rest of the globe are non-violent, freedom loving, good neighbors and citizens that deserve our support and help, we cannot ignore the horrors and tragedies that happen in that part of the world on a daily basis. Even in the face of America’s anti-peace pre-emptive war, how does one ignore the Arab militias marauding and killing in Darfur, Chad and other countries, the senseless daily bombings in Iraq and Afghanistan, the rampaging and murders that happened in answer to a newspaper cartoon, the dangerous nuclear threats issued by the president of Iran, the dangers, and of course the death and destruction caused on 9/11. All of these are financed, planned, trained, and carried out by Arab/Muslim countries, organizations, and people from the Middle East.

Based upon all this, why should anyone be surprised that Americans are afraid of Arab management and operation of our ports? The reason for this, deserved or undeserved, is a very simple four letter word….F-E-A-R. For four years our government has told us that we are in a war with terrorism. Fear of terror has been the lead in every Presidential speech, and we have learned our lessons well. The world would be a happier place if the Jordan Times and Arab/Muslims everywhere realized America’s fear, and recognized that the turn down of the port deal had nothing to do with their religion. Then maybe, just maybe, we will come to our senses and get out of Iraq.

Political Insanity

I’ve been trying to give my friends a rest from my rantings lately, but there is so very much bull excrement flying around the inner beltway of Washington and the political scene that it is hard to just sit still and I find my fingers must be heard. A brief roundup:

DeLay: So “the hammer” has been re-nominated by the geniuses that live south of Houston and received 62% of the vote in the Republican primary. One thing you have to say about these gun toting, evangelical, right-wing radicals is: they are consistent. Consistently stupid. Unlike the voters of Iraq who held up their ink stained index finger to show they voted, Mr. DeLay’s constituents are holding up their next finger over, to show their contempt for honest government. Of course there is no surprise there.

Cheney: Like the groundhog, the American Rasputin has crawled out of his secret cave long enough to threaten that there will be six more weeks, months or years of killing in Iraq. But don’t worry, the insurgency is in “it’s last throes” even though attacks and deaths are at a record pace. But don’t speak up against his predictions, he might shoot you, and it will be your own fault.

Bush: Don’t ask him anything about Iraq, Iran, Hurricane Katrina, the UAE port deal, the outrageously increasing national debt, American Constitutional guarantees of privacy, tax relief for the rich, reduction of veteran’s benefits, FISA, so much of the hatred that he has caused throughout the world for anything American (except our money), or the imperial presidency. Aw shucks folks, what’s a good old boy gonna do, except say: 1) he wasn’t there; 2) didn’t know about it in advance; 3) he’s a “war-time president”, 4) he won’t “change course”; and; 5) if you oppose what he says you’re one of those liberals who is supporting terrorism, giving aid and comfort to our enemy and he’ll have Uncle Dick shoot you. And remember, drill more oil so his family and friends can make more money off of our “addiction to oil.”

Frist: Now comes the good doctor who watched a video tape, medically diagnosed (incorrectly) a brain dead woman, and as leader of the Senate rushed through legislation to “save her life.” We all know how that ended. Of course that’s old news. But now, he is seeking accommodation with Mr. Bush and the White House, to have a 45 day investigation of the UAE ports sale, run by the self serving administration. What ever happened to the man who wanted to solve things by having “up or down votes?” This darling of the right-wing evangelicals will do anything to please these religious fanatics who want to control our country, just so he can have their backing for a presidential run.

Republican Controlled Congress: They renewed the Patriot Act with a couple of band-aid oversights. Be careful out there, or else the thought police will get you. Enough said.

Now how do I explain all this idiocy to my grandchildren who are inheriting all the debt, destruction, world hatred, and problems caused by this inept, secret government?