Why haven't we learned from Thomas Jefferson, Adams, and Madison when they had enough of the Barbary pirates and sent the Marines to end the intimidation and ransoming of ships on the high seas. The only difference is, before it was Libya on the shores of Tripoli, and today it is Somalia. In both cases, it is predominantly Muslim, and the same sort of ransoming was the modus operandi. And, undoubtedly, much of the ransom or booty is being used to fund Al Qaeda.
I strongly feel that we need to fight back. We first need to rescue the more than 400 hostages to prevent them of being victimized in retaliation. We are a powerful country but we are perceived as weak due to inaction. Since this is really an international issue, we need to include the support of other democracies.
We need to arm the merchant ships, and provide them with experienced Marines if necessary. If the ship is approached by pirates, just blow them and the 'mother ship' out of the water. Perhaps they will get the message as they did in the early 1800's off the Barbary coast.
It is time to end the piracy, and end our support of Al Qaeda!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The End of Hatred? ... Not While Labels Exist
With the welcome demise of Bin Laden, the world is rid of one more source of evil, but he is not the last. There are other warped minds who are ready and willing to take his place. They cannot see the world for it's beauty and wonder. Their obsession is to destroy all of humanity who do not agree with their miserable view of life. Those unfortunate beings are sores on humanity that will continue to fester and grow unless the source is addressed.
Hatred is not inborn; it is learned. Hatred is engendered by ignorance, cruelty and neglect of basic needs. Hatred begets hatred; ignorance begets ignorance. It allows religion or race to become a weapon that is exacerbated by power and greed. When people live in a society that preaches hatred for others 'not like them', whether based on religious, cultural, ethnic, or racial differences, it engenders hatred, and encourages those like Bin Laden, Hitler and others.
We need to stop labeling ourselves and others. Labels are different from attributes. An attribute is a description without emotional attachment. Male, female, blond, brunette, tall, short are examples of attributes; it is simply what we are. But when we apply negative feelings toward an attribute, it becomes a label which separates us. Skin color is an attribute; religion is an attribute. But when strong negative emotions are attached, it becomes a label and labels are learned. And labels separate us from each other.
Every society needs to reflect on its values. Every society needs to eradicate those labels. Every society needs to stop isolating its people from others who have different attributes. I believe that the United States is the beacon of freedom because we are an amalgam of many races, cultures and religions.
Every society needs to look upon the earth as a small speck in the universe that has the incredible ability to sustain life. Regardless of your religious views, or even if you are an atheist, you are here, and it is your responsibility to ensure that this planet is left at least as it was when you were born, if not better for your having been here. Bin Laden, and some other purveyors of hatred may be gone, but until this world no longer labels people and hates them for their differences, we will never be truly free.
Hatred is not inborn; it is learned. Hatred is engendered by ignorance, cruelty and neglect of basic needs. Hatred begets hatred; ignorance begets ignorance. It allows religion or race to become a weapon that is exacerbated by power and greed. When people live in a society that preaches hatred for others 'not like them', whether based on religious, cultural, ethnic, or racial differences, it engenders hatred, and encourages those like Bin Laden, Hitler and others.
We need to stop labeling ourselves and others. Labels are different from attributes. An attribute is a description without emotional attachment. Male, female, blond, brunette, tall, short are examples of attributes; it is simply what we are. But when we apply negative feelings toward an attribute, it becomes a label which separates us. Skin color is an attribute; religion is an attribute. But when strong negative emotions are attached, it becomes a label and labels are learned. And labels separate us from each other.
Every society needs to reflect on its values. Every society needs to eradicate those labels. Every society needs to stop isolating its people from others who have different attributes. I believe that the United States is the beacon of freedom because we are an amalgam of many races, cultures and religions.
Every society needs to look upon the earth as a small speck in the universe that has the incredible ability to sustain life. Regardless of your religious views, or even if you are an atheist, you are here, and it is your responsibility to ensure that this planet is left at least as it was when you were born, if not better for your having been here. Bin Laden, and some other purveyors of hatred may be gone, but until this world no longer labels people and hates them for their differences, we will never be truly free.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Letter to Mark Kirk Regarding Current Fiscal Policies
Senator Kirk
First of all, I want to express my appreciation for your efforts to control government spending and waste. After all, the government is here to serve the people, not to 'Fleece' them by continuing tax and spend policies. I do not blame either the Democrats or the Republicans, since each has their pet agendas, but rather the pork and special interest projects obfuscated by being tacked onto bills that are assured passage.
I support the efforts by those Senators who are fighting to reduce spending. The multitude of taxes by various levels of government have gotten way out of control to the point that Chicago has placed a sales tax on the price of gasoline which already has included taxes. A tax on taxes! My understanding is that at $4.00 a gallon, about $0.90 goes to tax - that amounts to a 22.5% tax.
I will be attending a rally in Springfield this Friday to protest the fiscal policies of Governor Quinn and the State Legislature. It should be obvious to all levels of government that the people of this country are fed up with 'business as usual' and will support those in government who understand the upwelling of dissatisfaction with current policies.
As Thomas Jefferson passionately noted in his speech in Paris in November, 1787:
" ... God forbid we should ever be 20 years without such a rebellion. The people can not be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions it is a lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. We have had 13 states independent 11 years. There has been one rebellion. That comes to one rebellion in a century and a half for each state. What country ever existed a century and a half without a rebellion? And what country can preserve it's liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it's natural manure. Our Convention has been too much impressed by the insurrection of Massachusetts: and in the spur of the moment they are setting up a kite to keep the hen yard in order. I hope in god this article will be rectified before the new constitution is accepted." - Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, Paris, 13 Nov. 1787
Rebellion does not imply bloodshed, but thanks to our freedom to gather and demand change, perhaps we can move toward a more fiscally responsible government, freer of corruption and waste. A government of, by, and for the people.
Thank you again for your support of better government.
Peter Strom
First of all, I want to express my appreciation for your efforts to control government spending and waste. After all, the government is here to serve the people, not to 'Fleece' them by continuing tax and spend policies. I do not blame either the Democrats or the Republicans, since each has their pet agendas, but rather the pork and special interest projects obfuscated by being tacked onto bills that are assured passage.
I support the efforts by those Senators who are fighting to reduce spending. The multitude of taxes by various levels of government have gotten way out of control to the point that Chicago has placed a sales tax on the price of gasoline which already has included taxes. A tax on taxes! My understanding is that at $4.00 a gallon, about $0.90 goes to tax - that amounts to a 22.5% tax.
I will be attending a rally in Springfield this Friday to protest the fiscal policies of Governor Quinn and the State Legislature. It should be obvious to all levels of government that the people of this country are fed up with 'business as usual' and will support those in government who understand the upwelling of dissatisfaction with current policies.
As Thomas Jefferson passionately noted in his speech in Paris in November, 1787:
" ... God forbid we should ever be 20 years without such a rebellion. The people can not be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions it is a lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. We have had 13 states independent 11 years. There has been one rebellion. That comes to one rebellion in a century and a half for each state. What country ever existed a century and a half without a rebellion? And what country can preserve it's liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it's natural manure. Our Convention has been too much impressed by the insurrection of Massachusetts: and in the spur of the moment they are setting up a kite to keep the hen yard in order. I hope in god this article will be rectified before the new constitution is accepted." - Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, Paris, 13 Nov. 1787
Rebellion does not imply bloodshed, but thanks to our freedom to gather and demand change, perhaps we can move toward a more fiscally responsible government, freer of corruption and waste. A government of, by, and for the people.
Thank you again for your support of better government.
Peter Strom
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Labels
Discussions of politics, religion, and race define people as classes irrespective of their individual differences. You are either one of "them" or you are not. You are a Republican, or a Democrat, or possibly a member of the Tea Party. You are white, black, Hispanic, or "another person of color". You are born into or convert to a religion of choice. However, if you are of a minority faith you are in need of "being saved" by converting to "their" way of believing. What is the necessity of labeling people, other than to differentiate "THEM" from "US"?
I need to point out that everyone has attributes, and to differentiate that from labels. Attributes are physical features we are born with or acquire, (e.g. deafness, blindness, or other physical disability). Gender is an attribute. Although sexual preference is not a physical attribute, I must state that I believe, based on evidence, that people are born with a sexual preference as they are with handedness, it is not a "choice". Race is an attribute even when it is "mixed", and it is not a function of skin color. Politics or religion, however, are not attributes but affiliations. When we define a group based on one or more physical attributes or affiliations in order to discriminate, those attributes or affiliations then become labels. In cases when I refer to a label instead of an attribute of affiliation, I show that in italics.
Labels negatively affect much of our daily lives by emphasizing our differences rather than our commonalities. Divisiveness caused by labels becomes a wedge between people and separates each of us from getting things done for the common good. It should NOT be a matter of what is best for ME or my class, but what is best for ALL. Each group or class who want those things which are only to their advantage, or demean others, are contributing to that wedge.
For example, Congress often gets bogged down in "what is best for my Party" that they lose sight of "what is best for the people of this country". Blacks or other minorities want THEIR RIGHTS even if it means reducing the rights of others. Often Christians and Muslims feel righteous to look down on Jews and others 'not of their faith' who won't get into Heaven unless they convert. Religions split into sects which often differ in minor ways. And Fundamentalist Muslims seem to want EVERYONE to follow Sharia Law and refuse to consider the laws of the United States or other Democracies. Even Sunnis and Shiites kill each other in the name of Allah. Religious wars are endemic throughout the world and throughout history.
The world is fractured into ideological pieces. As long as people are "labeled" based on their differences, this world will never see peace. It will always be "US" against "THEM".
I need to point out that everyone has attributes, and to differentiate that from labels. Attributes are physical features we are born with or acquire, (e.g. deafness, blindness, or other physical disability). Gender is an attribute. Although sexual preference is not a physical attribute, I must state that I believe, based on evidence, that people are born with a sexual preference as they are with handedness, it is not a "choice". Race is an attribute even when it is "mixed", and it is not a function of skin color. Politics or religion, however, are not attributes but affiliations. When we define a group based on one or more physical attributes or affiliations in order to discriminate, those attributes or affiliations then become labels. In cases when I refer to a label instead of an attribute of affiliation, I show that in italics.
Labels negatively affect much of our daily lives by emphasizing our differences rather than our commonalities. Divisiveness caused by labels becomes a wedge between people and separates each of us from getting things done for the common good. It should NOT be a matter of what is best for ME or my class, but what is best for ALL. Each group or class who want those things which are only to their advantage, or demean others, are contributing to that wedge.
For example, Congress often gets bogged down in "what is best for my Party" that they lose sight of "what is best for the people of this country". Blacks or other minorities want THEIR RIGHTS even if it means reducing the rights of others. Often Christians and Muslims feel righteous to look down on Jews and others 'not of their faith' who won't get into Heaven unless they convert. Religions split into sects which often differ in minor ways. And Fundamentalist Muslims seem to want EVERYONE to follow Sharia Law and refuse to consider the laws of the United States or other Democracies. Even Sunnis and Shiites kill each other in the name of Allah. Religious wars are endemic throughout the world and throughout history.
The world is fractured into ideological pieces. As long as people are "labeled" based on their differences, this world will never see peace. It will always be "US" against "THEM".
Friday, February 25, 2011
Should we take action in Libya?
The uprisings in the Middle East and Africa appear to bode well for the rise of Democracy and the hope for greater peace in the region. Peaceful dissent is necessary to inform government of the dissatisfaction of the populace. That is the basis of a Democracy.
Libya, however is entrenched by the insane megalomaniac Qaddafi who has no qualms about committing genocide against his own people. Genocide can not be tolerated in any part of the world. The United States must take aggressive action to stop it by whatever means required. Obama cannot waffle on this issue. Congress needs to put pressure on the President to get this done.
Libya, however is entrenched by the insane megalomaniac Qaddafi who has no qualms about committing genocide against his own people. Genocide can not be tolerated in any part of the world. The United States must take aggressive action to stop it by whatever means required. Obama cannot waffle on this issue. Congress needs to put pressure on the President to get this done.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
What next?
The uprisings in the Arab countries appears to bode well for Democracy; or it can open the door wider to radical Islam. According to what we see via the media, is that the people of Egypt and Tunisia have had enough of the corrupt regimes in their respective countries and want a free and democratic society. This implies that they, although mainly Muslim, are not looking toward radical Islam.
The recent decade has opened the world to the Internet. The availablity of information regarding the disparity of life in the west versus life in the repressive countries mainly through social media such as Facebook, Twitter, various blogs and email, has opened the floodgates of truth and freedom within those countries.
The United States needs to be wary of interference - either overt or covert - in that it might resurrect the idea of the debacle with the Shah of Iran which lead to hatred of the United States by the Arab countries, and may well have fed the rise of radical Islam. The concern is that the new government in Egypt continues to be an ally of the United States and of Israel.
This may be a turning point as dominos fall regarding the rise of democracy in the Arab countries, and could diminish the rise of radical Islam. We can only hope.
The recent decade has opened the world to the Internet. The availablity of information regarding the disparity of life in the west versus life in the repressive countries mainly through social media such as Facebook, Twitter, various blogs and email, has opened the floodgates of truth and freedom within those countries.
The United States needs to be wary of interference - either overt or covert - in that it might resurrect the idea of the debacle with the Shah of Iran which lead to hatred of the United States by the Arab countries, and may well have fed the rise of radical Islam. The concern is that the new government in Egypt continues to be an ally of the United States and of Israel.
This may be a turning point as dominos fall regarding the rise of democracy in the Arab countries, and could diminish the rise of radical Islam. We can only hope.
Response to a mailing from Mark Kirk
I received your mailing requesting a response as to what the U.S. should do about the political upheaval in Egypt. I am responding this way because the limited responses did not satisfy my feelings on this issue.
I believe that the U.S. response must be measured so that we are not perceived as interfering, especially since the possible fate of Israel could be compromised. Obviously, we would want Egypt to become a democratic state with freedom and human rights, but the risk of overt interference could give credence to the fundamentalist Islamic movement.
The primary issue, in my opinion, is that the new leader of Egypt must be pro-democracy and a supporter of Israel. Since there is no clear candidate at this time, we need to proceed with diplomacy and hope that a suitable candidate comes to the fore. It seems that the youth of Egypt would support a democratic society as opposed to an Islamic state.
I believe that the U.S. response must be measured so that we are not perceived as interfering, especially since the possible fate of Israel could be compromised. Obviously, we would want Egypt to become a democratic state with freedom and human rights, but the risk of overt interference could give credence to the fundamentalist Islamic movement.
The primary issue, in my opinion, is that the new leader of Egypt must be pro-democracy and a supporter of Israel. Since there is no clear candidate at this time, we need to proceed with diplomacy and hope that a suitable candidate comes to the fore. It seems that the youth of Egypt would support a democratic society as opposed to an Islamic state.
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