I've been saying for a few (2+?) years now that, while the military remains a necessity in today geopolitical scene, it has become obsolete tool for political pressure. War, has become a thing of the past, barbaric, crude. Its like trying to use a saw instead of a scalpel.
This NY Times article is a great example of what I'm trying to get at. Its late and I want to sleep, so I'll keep this short. But the point is, no matter the amount of military might that we have; all of the guns in the world won't solve this problem. Like western medicine, the guns here only treat the symptoms... and fail to get at the source (that's a whole other topic on its own). But yeah only through economics can we truly resolve this problem.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Now the true Challenge begins
Congratulations President-Elect Obama. You have fought the good fight and come through on top. While the campaign has been long and arduous, the true challenge begins in 77 days.
Mr. Obama you face a nation divide, a nation in despair, and a nation in decline. If you like challenges... I don't believe it gets much harder than this. You have stood before this country and led us to believe that you can bring about change and bring back prosperity. Now you must actually lead us there.
You were not my first pick, but I supported and support you now because I believe you are the best one to take the necessary actions. Now that your fate has been sealed, I will watch even more closely as will the rest of the world. And most importantly History will watch you closely. You ran an excellent campaign but only time will tell how great a president you are.
There are some that would suggest that not all of these people can be wrong in picking you to lead our nation. I'd like to remind them that it was a majority of the country that elected our previous president; whom we mostly agree was not the best decision we (as a country) have made. Let that be a reminder to you, Mr. Obama, that we have all placed our faith and hope in you.
And begins the next chapter.
Mr. Obama you face a nation divide, a nation in despair, and a nation in decline. If you like challenges... I don't believe it gets much harder than this. You have stood before this country and led us to believe that you can bring about change and bring back prosperity. Now you must actually lead us there.
You were not my first pick, but I supported and support you now because I believe you are the best one to take the necessary actions. Now that your fate has been sealed, I will watch even more closely as will the rest of the world. And most importantly History will watch you closely. You ran an excellent campaign but only time will tell how great a president you are.
There are some that would suggest that not all of these people can be wrong in picking you to lead our nation. I'd like to remind them that it was a majority of the country that elected our previous president; whom we mostly agree was not the best decision we (as a country) have made. Let that be a reminder to you, Mr. Obama, that we have all placed our faith and hope in you.
And begins the next chapter.
Monday, November 3, 2008
The Day of Reckoning...
For the last two years America has been in a debate about its future, tomorrow that debate will come to an end and decision will be made. Our future begins tomorrow. In the latter half of this time my parents and I have been in an ideological struggle, debating back and forth who will be best to lead this country. In the course of these arguments we did come to two agreements; The American Empire is in decline and Sarah Palin is a horrible choice for VP.
The latter speaks for itself. The first I'll address a little more. America has been the dominant force in the world for the last half century or so. Our progress in technology and large capable work force was the driving power behind our dominance. While we weren't looking a new player has come into town and has well over 3 times the capability we have. Needless to say this new player is China.
China's population is almost (if not already) 4 times the US and they graduate more college educated engineers than we do college graduates.... period. The decline of the American empire is inevitable. What this means I'll address later.
Back to my parents. They have consistently targeted Obama for his lack of experience in government and an executive leadership role. While I cannot deny Mr. Obama's record, I can tell you running the country is far larger than one man. He will accountable for all the major decisions and policies but the running of the country will come down to his staff and ultimately the party. With that in mind, can we really stand another 4 (or 8) years of the Republican party?
Thier latest accusation has been about his statements spreading the wealth. They compare these statements to the ones made by the communists during the beginning of the Vietnam War. I cannot speak for what was said then, but I can acknowledge the similar ideologies between Mr. Obama's spreading the wealth and the idealistic goals of Marxism. Marxism, by the way, is drastically different in ideology than in practice (aka Communism).
I think what they have forgotten is that Communism is not just about the spreading of wealth but also about control. Control of the people, their thoughts, their ideas, their expression. I'm fairly certain that Mr. Obama and the Democratic Party is not in favor of that. I'm not sure I can same for the Republican Party. Wasn't it the current administration that allowed intelligence agencies to spy on the American people? I'm pretty sure it was them that requested search queries from Google, Yahoo, etc. If anybody has wanted control over its own people, it has been the Republican Party...
My parents have also targeted Mr. Obama's plans to sit down and initiate talks with Iran. They some how equate this as giving in to them. But I asked what are the alternatives? War, right? Well I should hope that we have learned our lesson from unilaterally deciding to invade a country without the support of the international community. When did the "Mission Accomplished" speech on the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN occur? May 2003? What year is it now?
While I'm not a fan of the Iranians and personally believe that they are irrational and not much progress would occur from negotiations/talks... I do believe that we should at least give it a try. War, as we have seen has become a political tool of the past. It remains as necessity in extreme cases and defense will always remain but as we have seen from the various conflicts around the world it generally is frowned upon. Economics is the new tool and it is far more effective in my opinion. But war should be a thing of the past. With that in mind, what party do you believe would make the right choice with Iran?
The arguments are long for and against each candidate. I respect their views and sometimes understand their opinion. But they have warned me to accept the consequences of my actions in the future. I gladly stand by my decision based on the information I had available when I made it. I just ask that they accept responsibility for the last 8 years that got us here.
The latter speaks for itself. The first I'll address a little more. America has been the dominant force in the world for the last half century or so. Our progress in technology and large capable work force was the driving power behind our dominance. While we weren't looking a new player has come into town and has well over 3 times the capability we have. Needless to say this new player is China.
China's population is almost (if not already) 4 times the US and they graduate more college educated engineers than we do college graduates.... period. The decline of the American empire is inevitable. What this means I'll address later.
Back to my parents. They have consistently targeted Obama for his lack of experience in government and an executive leadership role. While I cannot deny Mr. Obama's record, I can tell you running the country is far larger than one man. He will accountable for all the major decisions and policies but the running of the country will come down to his staff and ultimately the party. With that in mind, can we really stand another 4 (or 8) years of the Republican party?
Thier latest accusation has been about his statements spreading the wealth. They compare these statements to the ones made by the communists during the beginning of the Vietnam War. I cannot speak for what was said then, but I can acknowledge the similar ideologies between Mr. Obama's spreading the wealth and the idealistic goals of Marxism. Marxism, by the way, is drastically different in ideology than in practice (aka Communism).
I think what they have forgotten is that Communism is not just about the spreading of wealth but also about control. Control of the people, their thoughts, their ideas, their expression. I'm fairly certain that Mr. Obama and the Democratic Party is not in favor of that. I'm not sure I can same for the Republican Party. Wasn't it the current administration that allowed intelligence agencies to spy on the American people? I'm pretty sure it was them that requested search queries from Google, Yahoo, etc. If anybody has wanted control over its own people, it has been the Republican Party...
My parents have also targeted Mr. Obama's plans to sit down and initiate talks with Iran. They some how equate this as giving in to them. But I asked what are the alternatives? War, right? Well I should hope that we have learned our lesson from unilaterally deciding to invade a country without the support of the international community. When did the "Mission Accomplished" speech on the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN occur? May 2003? What year is it now?
While I'm not a fan of the Iranians and personally believe that they are irrational and not much progress would occur from negotiations/talks... I do believe that we should at least give it a try. War, as we have seen has become a political tool of the past. It remains as necessity in extreme cases and defense will always remain but as we have seen from the various conflicts around the world it generally is frowned upon. Economics is the new tool and it is far more effective in my opinion. But war should be a thing of the past. With that in mind, what party do you believe would make the right choice with Iran?
The arguments are long for and against each candidate. I respect their views and sometimes understand their opinion. But they have warned me to accept the consequences of my actions in the future. I gladly stand by my decision based on the information I had available when I made it. I just ask that they accept responsibility for the last 8 years that got us here.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Grr...?
Mildly annoyed right now, take it back - really annoyed... but anyways it's been a running joke that being single has been better for me than anything else, ha ha. But really I was thinking about it, I've been single for quite sometime and it hasn't done me jack - leaving San Diego has been the triggering factor. I'm happier, I'm in better shape, I'm in a better place - since leaving San Diego. I guess it really was time to move on.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Some passing thoughts... wait what were they?
About two weeks ago I was at yet another wedding - no, not everybody I know is getting married... just most - no this was a 'gig' for my photography side. And I realized it was nice to be able to share in these two strangers celebration. It was a little odd since I didn't know them at all, but watching them you could really see an emotional bond between the two... and it made me smile.
I guess its true people go to weddings because they want to believe that they are in the presence of true love. (I think that's from Wedding Crashers...) I'm not fan of the institution of 'marriage' and though many would describe me as jaded (myself included) a small part of me still hopes that there is such thing as love.
I'm not really sure what's the point of this post. I had some revelation while I was at the wedding... but after two weeks, those epiphanies... they just seem to fade.
Anyways, on my previous topic of friendships... I attempted to reach out to a lost friend... lost doesn't seem like the correct word. Former? One-time friend. Alas - I digress - I haven't gotten a response. I'm not sure that I expected one; it would have been nice to have a resolution so easily... but repairing the past rarely is. I'm afraid that so much time has gone by that neither party really cares about the solution... I guess - at least - the ball is no longer in my court...
I guess its true people go to weddings because they want to believe that they are in the presence of true love. (I think that's from Wedding Crashers...) I'm not fan of the institution of 'marriage' and though many would describe me as jaded (myself included) a small part of me still hopes that there is such thing as love.
I'm not really sure what's the point of this post. I had some revelation while I was at the wedding... but after two weeks, those epiphanies... they just seem to fade.
Anyways, on my previous topic of friendships... I attempted to reach out to a lost friend... lost doesn't seem like the correct word. Former? One-time friend. Alas - I digress - I haven't gotten a response. I'm not sure that I expected one; it would have been nice to have a resolution so easily... but repairing the past rarely is. I'm afraid that so much time has gone by that neither party really cares about the solution... I guess - at least - the ball is no longer in my court...
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Xanga is dead... but I'm not
Xanga is increasingly a commercial pain to navigate through. I've made a good many posts there... but it is time to move on. Perhaps I can save them some how. Either way, welcome to Q.
Aside from the dismal (yes, dismal is the best word) customer service that I have been receiving from various companies (which is ironic considering I am in the Customer Relationship Management field); things have been good.
It actually has been a surreal past couple of days/week. As I continue to move on into the next phase of my life, parts of previous phases keep coming back in touch with me. It's a good feeling and a nice reminder that the relationships we make today can last in the years to come... even if we don't take a lot of time for the daily maintenance. Not that I am suggesting that we should ignore each other, but its good to know that even the relationships we had in the time before social networking website, even before cell phones and email, can withstand the tests of time.
Among the friends that have recently gotten in touch with me were from College, High School, and even Grade School! 18 years ago! That's a whole adult person. I hadn't talk to this particular friend since I left Delaware... man so long ago, but so many good memories. It is kind of ironic that she got in touch with me, the very day I went to SD to help another friend pack-up and move out of San Diego. It was reassurance that our friendship would last.
As I've been paying attention more to my friendships and the people who fill my life, I also noticed a particular relationship that hasn't withstood the same struggles. And in all reality, it was probably put through more than most friendships should ever experience. I've come to slowly accept that not everything we want can be saved; but that does not make it any easier to let it go. Perhaps, though, the problem is that we both let it go already. This serves as a reminder that though friendships CAN stand through the years... we should not be reckless with them.
My favorite quote about friendship is, "Friends are the family that you choose." I have no clue who said it and its too late for me to look it up; but its a nice quote. You pick your friends because they fulfill something your life. They're not there because they have to be, not because they were paid to be, but because you wanted them to be.
Aside from the dismal (yes, dismal is the best word) customer service that I have been receiving from various companies (which is ironic considering I am in the Customer Relationship Management field); things have been good.
It actually has been a surreal past couple of days/week. As I continue to move on into the next phase of my life, parts of previous phases keep coming back in touch with me. It's a good feeling and a nice reminder that the relationships we make today can last in the years to come... even if we don't take a lot of time for the daily maintenance. Not that I am suggesting that we should ignore each other, but its good to know that even the relationships we had in the time before social networking website, even before cell phones and email, can withstand the tests of time.
Among the friends that have recently gotten in touch with me were from College, High School, and even Grade School! 18 years ago! That's a whole adult person. I hadn't talk to this particular friend since I left Delaware... man so long ago, but so many good memories. It is kind of ironic that she got in touch with me, the very day I went to SD to help another friend pack-up and move out of San Diego. It was reassurance that our friendship would last.
As I've been paying attention more to my friendships and the people who fill my life, I also noticed a particular relationship that hasn't withstood the same struggles. And in all reality, it was probably put through more than most friendships should ever experience. I've come to slowly accept that not everything we want can be saved; but that does not make it any easier to let it go. Perhaps, though, the problem is that we both let it go already. This serves as a reminder that though friendships CAN stand through the years... we should not be reckless with them.
My favorite quote about friendship is, "Friends are the family that you choose." I have no clue who said it and its too late for me to look it up; but its a nice quote. You pick your friends because they fulfill something your life. They're not there because they have to be, not because they were paid to be, but because you wanted them to be.
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