Are we paying attention?

Check out Thomas Friedman's NYTimes Article
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/29/opinion/29friedmanOpEd.html?hp#

"The most populous country in the Arab world shows all the symptoms of national bankruptcy -- the kind that produced hyperinflation in several Latin American countries during the 1970s and 1980s -- with a deadly difference: Egypt imports half its wheat and the collapse of its external credit means starvation," Asia Times Online observed May 10.

The Caucasus: People Media and Political Agenda

Oil and energy of Azerbaijan, democratization of Georgia, Turkmenistan’s natural gas, the BTC pipeline and the Caspian Sea, the Soviet war in Afghanistan, the Iran contra scandal and the hostage crisis, the Persian Gulf War, the US military invasion of Afghanistan, and the death of Osama Bin Laden. All for what? 

I can’t make sense of this madness and so I start to think cynical. I start to think that the US knew of this man’s location for a long time. I start to think that his murder was planned for this time because there is an agenda to gain leverage with Pakistan for an objective yet to be revealed. 

If I were to say it is all for oil, this would be an inaccurate description of the extent of global political interest and military engagement in and around the Middle East. Nope, it is not oil. It is not natural gas. It is not social justice and human rights. It is the epitome of American greed, our disinterest in anything beyond our doorstep of pleasure, privilege and overindulgence of everything beyond essential. We do not wish to change, we do not wish to share, we do not wish to conserve because we do not care about those less fortunate, those suffering nor generations that follow. We are everyone from the oil company investors to the welfare recipient using food stamps to purchase Drakes cakes for breakfast. 

“Kill that terrorist”, so we can celebrate in a circus of ignorance. Is murder and combat a sporting event? I am embarrassed for the people waving flags and cheering in the street like they were a winning team at a baseball game.

I am embarrassed for people, who exaggerate events and create stories and find creative ways or untruths to somehow turn events into personal experience. Why? In this way we can become victims and justify not helping or avoid changing our behavior.  For example, I was pouring a cup of tea where my dear friends were watching footage of the September eleventh terrorist attack in lower Manhattan. An image of a fear struck woman, looking as though she just climbed out of a collapse of rubble and concrete debris, having emerged seconds before death who continued in a brisk walk, flashes on the television screen. Effie in her comfort of intoxication on fine wine and pharmaceuticals states, “That’s Loshie.” This simple statement implied that my sister was somehow a ground zero survivor. WHAT! The only connection between Loshie and the collapse of the World Trade center is that she walked home to Brooklyn from somewhere midtown, most likely around 30^th street. Ridiculous. 

Our fascination with dirty laundry is a costume. It masks the real issues that deserve attention. And I suppose focusing on others allows me to maybe avoid the guilt that both my two children and I are attending the university and private school, eating well, taking sporadic weekend trips to New York City, the occasional shopping spree and regular on-line purchases of books. I suppose my indulgence in food and education is similar to political leaders that establish relationships with foreign leaders who like so many of us, continue to make bad choices. We always have a choice between right and wrong, no matter the degree of either.Where are we willing to make changes? Should the diminishing suburban middle class (baby boomers) continue to build huge homes with a completely unnecessary amount of space and cut down pine trees to build it in exactly their chosen spot? If I could afford a floor in a Spring Street, SoHo building, certainly I would take it even if it meant I had less to give. I do this already. I could increase my charity donations and buy less. I could  do more service to others and take less time for myself.

The public pawns of the news media, pay attention to the next covered event and bounce around void of feeling from one tragedy to the next. Or as in my case before recent emergence from a coma, do not pay attention at all and instead live in a completely made up small world of light, love and giving birth to pretty brown babies. Shame.

I am a consumer. Petroleum is in everything except food so, I too am guilty. My next purchase once I am privileged to move home to New York, will be a tandem bicycle with a front bar pad for my four year old. I am excited about my family of three’s new method of transportation. Hm? Maybe I will fly our flag off the back.

Sanctions and Non-Proliferation

The evolution of society is a continued conflict of good versus evil. The protection of Human rights is the good and power and greed are the evil. Sanctions are the attempt at a more civilized approach to international coexistence.  They provide a choice between bad and worse options when faced with the dangers of a world that is filled with the threat of total destruction. Sanctions that focus on ending human rights infractions and the threat to international security can provide a peaceful alternative to war and prevent nuclear weapons disaster.

Sanctions in conjunction with tough diplomacy, intrusive inspections and the threat of military action can put on the defensive, countries that abuse citizens in hostile pursuit of power. Negotiations around trade interests along with a moral stance of diplomacy work by creating a negative image of target countries. This “name and shape” tactic reveals the despots and influences international relationships of target countries.

Thirty three countries are now involved with crippling energy and financial sanctions against the Iranian regime.  By focusing on the energy sector, which is the lifeline of a country like Iran, creating nuclear weapons no longer becomes an additional source of power, but essentially the catalyst of its demise. Nuclear non-proliferation sanctions become effective when the negative consequence of creating nuclear weapons becomes greater than the potential power of having the weapon.

In a more and more globalized world the focus on human rights infractions can cripple hostile regimes. Countries like Iran that want to see themselves as a world power understand the importance of global relations and therefore are concerned with their image and how the world sees them.

Sanctions have worked in Libya and Iraq. They have helped to reveal human rights infractions and have slowed down and in some cases terminated the nuclear programs.  Mark Dubowitz, Executive Director and founder for Defense in Democracies, believes that, “commitment to sanctions, multilateral, strict enforcement with international unanimity I think can bring down down not only the Iranian Regime but at least can stop the Iranian regime’s march to a nuclear bomb.”

The work of the Obama administration that involves creating an international coalition against the threats of international hardship is having an impact globally. The commitment to creating united world powers that have a strict obedience to enforcing international law makes sense. It is time the US stops acting as the big dog that makes independent decisions. Maybe this is the good that has come of the recession and our current budget crisis. Having less, forces cooperation.

When international energy companies, banks and insurance companies stop doing business with tyrants, it makes a huge economic impact. A government that is concerned with the economic prosperity of the nation will make choices to grow. It is a tough job to communicate with world leaders and find common interests and weigh out the positive and negatives of actions when each countries objective are not the same. I believe that international dialogue that focuses on human rights, social justice and the importance of education is essential to global harmony. The more we demonstrate domestic behavior that backs up what we claim to value, the more these concerns for a healthy world will grow.

Although I see much violence and an increase in natural disasters, I also see improvements. I see a world reaching out for international support and I see the US taking a more humble approach to international relations. I see improvement in leadership. Certainly China has transformed dramatically since the days of Mao Zedong and I have faith that Egypt is transforming in a positive direction. I see a world that is recognizing the impact of our behaviors and I think that people are becoming aware of the need for cooperative efforts in the face of such global crisis. Clearly we have a long way to go. I think what is most important when we choose our leaders is that we select the person who’s character reveals priority to the higher good. Leadership is most freighting when selfish interests overpower the lives of citizens and people worldwide. I believe our current leader is the closest we have come to electing someone working toward a peaceful world and a prosperous country; not a peaceful country and a prosperous company. Building a team of good guys is a difficult challenge. I support the commitment to improve global communications, support human rights and maintain the privileges of a strong economy. I am also willing to go without some luxuries in effort to support others and ensure a better world for generations that follow.  

I work at home to model love and kindness. I work at improving education and building the character of tomorrow’s leaders. I "imagine all the people living life in peace...and [hope] the world will live as one."

Lernen und Wachsen

What is that? The colors are nice, warm and bright. Is it a detail of a flower? No, too spongy to be a flower. What is that? Red and yellow. Hm? An Urchin? A Sea anemone? Yes it’s a Sea anemone. Now, why would a book titled, “Bonn to the Berlin Republic”, choose a sea creature for the cover art?

It didn’t. The cover art is an image of the World Cup Soccer with a large number of Germans holding flags. Young Germans gathered together smiling and waving flags. (I saw a sea anemone)

I share with you my unique perception of the cover art just prior to Dr. Jeffrey Anderson’s lecture on the evolution of the New Berlin Republic, for a couple of reasons.  I felt compelled to share my self fascination, and it fit well in my efforts to exemplify diversity of perception. We all approach information differently and much of our thinking has evolved from our history of experiences.  This illusion or obscure synthesis of shape color and light that fabricated a photograph of a jellyfish is metaphoric to Germany’s post world war II development. What is the world’s perception on this nation? How do Americans see Germany’s progress and what do you think?

Everything is relative to our experience and it seems governments like people make decisions and conduct themselves based on this fact.  Germany has a history of racism, genocide, mass murder, ethnic hatred, ethnic cleansing, anti-Semitism and group hatred. The Germans historically are viewed as the elite of violence, fear and oppression. The history of the Third Reich represents the horrendous capabilities of the forces of evil on humanity.

Seeking Redemption from the epitome of leadership has been a progression that required humility, earnestness, and determination to change and revitalize. Revitalization required implementation of a new plan with a strong interest in human rights and a steadfast determination to operate within a just system of government.  

The forty year transition from a violent heritage to an internationally cooperative nation has been an interesting evolution. Some would say that Germany is currently making decisions based on the higher good for its people and that its process of change reflects a transition that we can only hope to be contagious.

Some perceive the Federal Republic of Germany and the “basic law” structure in combination with the Federal Constitutional court and multiparty system as the most progressive democratic system.  The forty years of democracy has moved Germany into a country with strong international relations, commitment to domestic well being and a culturally diffused economic system.

German is proud of its remembrance and education of the Holocaust as a force against anti-Semitism as demonstrated in curriculum, museums and memorials.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/Memorial_to_the_murdered_Jews_of_Europe.jpg

Although these efforts symbolize German’s willingness to recognize a past of extreme government brutality and terrorism in order to prevent future inhumanity, the country is not without racism. It has been argued that any current anti-Semitism effort proposals on the political agenda are nonsense and more efforts should be placed on celebration of the Jewish culture in hopes to lead people to love their neighbors. 

As the historian Julius Schöps of Potsdam University put it in the newspaper Tageszeitung:

Protests against anti-Semitism, organized by small groups, do not get extensive attention in Germany. Resolutions by the German parliament to reject anti-Semitism are drivel of the worst kind....But all those ineffective actions are presented to the world as a strong defense against the charge of anti-Semitism. The truth is: no one is really interested in these matters. No one really cares.

Julius Schöps, "Antisemitismus ist Teil dieser Kultur," Taz, 25 October 2002. See http://www.berlin-judentum.de/bildung/antisemitismusforschung.htm (German).

How could this be true? Is it? Germany’s recent call to public art was closed undecided. Thousands of applicants were turned down. This is significant in that it demonstrates the level to which Germany reflects on what they value. A public art piece will represent the German image. Who is Germany? It would seem they are still in transition to whom and what they are becoming.

Why did Germany choose not to become involved with the no fly zone over Libya?  Has Germany always had the intent to allow its troops to take part in humanitarian aid to Libyan civilians?  

I don’t know. But I do know they shut down their nuclear power plants the day after the tragedy at Fukushima. For this I wave a flag.

No Nukes

 

Germany shut down nuclear power plants to conduct a three month long safety check. German Chancellor Angel Merkel has been accused of  using the voters fear of the nuclear crisis in Japan to earn votes. The criticism stems from her overthrowing her previous decision to keep older plants operating past their time due for renovation and inspection. Hm? I am not sure I see what is wrong with changing your mind in loo of a nuclear crisis. Or for that matter, making a decision based on the peoples state of emotion during a crisis. If we are afraid of nuclear energy, by all means turn it off. Right? And if you are doing it for votes, good. Shouldn't a person in a leadership position make decisions based on what the people want?

Laurence Goldborne, Chile's energy and mining minister has chosen not to sign a memorandum of understanding on nuclear cooperation. Instead he decided to take time to consider other energy alternatives. 

Today was the thirty second anniversary of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant partial core meltdown. Clean up lasted into the 1990's. Concerns for health and fear over the inability to understand and control a nuclear crisis has so far prevented the construction of any more nuclear plants in the US. 

I hope the prospects of building are now dead. How about you?

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/Fukushima-Plant-Could-Leak-Radiation-for-Months-119143794.html 

Its Hard to Think About Anything Else

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/03/12/world/asia/20110312_japan.html#1

The Financial Crisis and Its Relative Insignificance To International Poverty

Are the financial crisis, recession, mortgage foreclosures from a false safety in the investment of real estate and the U.S. debt to China, the result of our desires for instant gratification and unwillingness to follow the rules of basic money management? Is get now and pay later, still the majority of American cultural philosophy? How about other developed countries? Do most people want what they want, right away and ignore the consequences of spoiled behaviors? It seems so many of us behave like the college student with their first credit card.

With the government focus on cutting spending and the recent bill that eliminates Wisconsin's collective bargaining rights, I thought about the republican philosophies which stem from the concepts of less government and a stronger power to the individual. This may sound good, but what it ends up becoming is an invitation to greed and selfish neglect of those in need. I began to think about alternatives, like a tax increase on gasoline. So I read and read and studied this topic as much as my schedule allowed. 

Some ideas I have heard and read sound best. Create an alternative currency that deflates the value of the US dollar, individuals start saving, export more than we import, spend government savings when in crisis and save when doing well. It’s what we were taught when we opened our first checkbook. Right?

So, rather than focus on the U.S. financial crisis, I have decided to reflect on global socio-economics, international issues of poverty and the use of technology for bottom-up economic development. 

In my early twenties I was interested in the bohemian lifestyle of the “La Vida” community of squatters that occupied a building on thirteenth street between Avenue A and Avenue B in Manhattan. In my delayed adolescence, I looked at this lifestyle as chosen and somehow, "cool". The magnitude of the world’s poverty issues had never once entered my thoughts. I was content with my stomp around Loisada and disinterested in the world beyond my own foot. The next video clip is from NY Times reporters, Simon Romero and Maria Eugenia Diaz. It puts, “La Vida” on the level of a penthouse. 

Here is a link to a beautiful slide show from another region of our world. I wonder how much it would cost for President Hugo Chaves to install solar panels on the roof of Venezuela's, “Tower of David”?

 Sustainable NRG Transforms Lives

Of course how I receive information is always relative to my current state of emotion; still right now, this next link may be one of the top ten articles I have ever read. I offer you read it and check out what cell phones mean to the people living in our impoverished communities around the world.

 Connecting the Unconnected

Even in Tumsifu, Kenya, a community where cow poop is fuel, their use of cell phones reveals the important of staying connected. People may not have indoor plumbing, but they are using cell phones! Cell phones empower us with an abundance of knowledge, right at our fingertips, all day, every day.

I suppose I do put communication on the same level as running water. I rather die in the arms of a beloved than live a life time disconnected. Nokia is paying attention. Is anyone else?

According to the United Nations Human Settlements Program, at the current rates of migration, one-quarter of the earth’s population by 2020 will be living in slums. And with the increased rate of natural disasters, the numbers of those immune to this tragedy is decreasing. Where do you see yourself in 2020? Will you be in a possition to help others? Are you now?

Creating a Society in the Midst of War and Revolution

 Check out Libya..

Below is from an article written by Anthony Shadid, published in today's NYTimes.
"impose order, distribute charity and run schools"

Free of Qaddafi, a City Tries to Build a New Order

Ed Ou for The New York Times

The entrance to the town of Masa in Libya outside the rebel-held Bayda, where residents are trying create a new civil society with little precedent to guide them.  NYTimes article

Somalia...the Tip of the Horn

How do we help those who suffer? Although geographic location remains a prevalent factor in deciding to whom the US provides support from an economic standpoint, we cannot ignore human suffering no matter how remote the region is from the United States or more importantly remote from something we desire.

Perhaps it is just my own awakening, and I am ashamed to reveal how I have in only the last couple of years emerged from a self induced Coma, but I believe the concept of a global community and our responsibility toward one another is being more acknowledge worldwide. We continue to become more and more connected globally and thank goodness for those who have been advocating for human rights and social justice. It is because of their example that I believe in kind hearts and the innate goodness in so much of humanity. I even believe such benevolence remains at the core of many of us in leadership positions today. As far as the current US leadership, I choose to focus on things that are good and leave the revealing of what is not to those more knowledgeable and therefore better at earnest critiquing. I hope to hear from you. I am not ignorant to the fact we all have room for improvement. And as I have previously shared I am not without more than my share of cake.  

Recently with the Somali pirating intrusions on trade, the US has drawn its interest toward the Horn of Africa. Because the level of human suffering in Somalia is equivalent to a humanitarian disaster zone, people cannot even consider a thought about the regional waters of the Arabian Sea without feeling an obligation to support healing and change on the land that takes up so much of its coast. Actually, there is nowhere worse. Living with the risk of a tiger attack due to flooding and lack of land and prey in Bangladesh, would be better than to live in constant fear of brutal slaying and human butchering that people are doing to people in Somalia. If existence is an ongoing battle of good versus evil, Somalia is the epicenter of dark war and genocide. It is for this reason I will focus my reflection not on Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea and Kenya, but on this tip of the horn; Somalia.  

What happens in Somalia is extremely important, just as human rights are anywhere in the world. Ethiopia and Kenya have many refugees from Somalia and most of the security problems affecting the region are due to violence stemming from Somalia. Somalia is Homogeneous with one religion. Rivalry between clans caused Somalia to never have effective government and basically since 1991the country has been in a state of anarchy. The people of Somali suffer unrelenting hardships of extreme poverty, drought, flooding and human brutality. The population has no hope of establishing communities because they are forced to live a rural nomadic lifestyle in order to survive the constant threat of violent attack.  It is hard to envision hope for improved health and education in any foreseeable future. To add to the crisis, food, medicine and emergency shelters are not getting there. It is too dangerous. Somalia is the most dangerous place in the world to try and deliver aid. Basically the only hope for the chance at a peaceful life is to get out. This is the mission for most of the population. Twenty percent have fled to seek refuge in the neighboring countries of Ethiopia and Kenya. Somalia is the foremost example of a failed state.

I was shocked to discover that the main source of income for the local population is actually from the one hundred thousand Somali living in the US. Surely this cannot be significant for change.

If the hardship on the people isn’t enough, there are the pirates who are impeding trade, and still worse a much more significant threat of raising a terrorist population. The Jihadists have settled in the lawless, stateless country. Religious extremists want to turn Somalia into a radical religion based state. Ethiopians despite international recognition and aid, failed to provide the country of Somalia with a new government. Instead a new extremist unit of Al-Qaida supporters emerged and Ethiopia in 2009 withdrew all troops.  

Media reports the use of tactics designed to maximize civilian casualties, like the Al Shabaab claimed July eleventh bombing in Kampala. This bombing that took place where crowds of civilians were watching the televised broadcasting of the world cup was stated to be in response to Uganda’s leading political and military role in Somalia peacekeeping force.

The Transitional federal government that was founded after years of negotiations remains on paper only. Its members lived abroad for fear of returning to Mogadishu. Ministries are not functioning and security forces operate as corrupt autonomous groups. Confidence in the success of the Transitional Federal Government was never high, but currently all hope is gone. The only support that can be provided is through African missions (AMISOM) that fight to expand Mogadishu. And the more thought I give this, the more I am in favor of leaving them on their own. With such corruptions how much of the opposition has infiltrated their forces. A Friday Reuters news article states that President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed claims recent battles have left the Somalia military force controlling seventy percent of the capital city. Hm? Do they?

If all the “good guys” stop providing weapons, won’t soon enough everyone’s ammunition run out?

Other than grass roots support for those brave enough to operate in Somalia the best the US can do in rescue efforts is to protect the neighboring countries by isolating Somalia by preventing any outside support getting to the terrorists and pray that within its borders, evil will defeat itself. The only relief efforts to Somalia should be in the form of food and medicine. Sadly even such charities have been reported as being sold for more weapons.

The only other thought I have to leave you with is this....

Don’t forget about those trapped in terror. Send them your love in thoughts. 

Notable information:

Somalia minerals include uranium and likely deposits of petroleum and natural gas throughout the country, not exploited commercially. Charcoal production has led to widespread deforestation.

All land line telephone systems have been destroyed, but they have cellular phone service throughout the country. They have ship-to-shore communications (INMARSAT) and oversea satellite from private telecommunication in major towns. Mogadishu, Hargeisa and Galkaiyo have radio broadcasting of programs in Somali and some other languages. There are two television stations in Mogadishu and one in Hargeisa. Cities are linked to the internet. 

http://www.so.undp.org/ 

http://www.hrw.org/en/world-report-2011/somalia

I wish to remind any viewers that comments are encouraged. I welcome any corrections of facts presented and I am hopeful for opportunity to learn.

Tahrir Square responds to Mubarak's resignation

Egypt Erupts in Jubilation as Mubarak Steps Down

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/12/world/middleeast/12egypt.html?_r=1&hp
Look at that face. I encourage you to see his tears of hope as those of your brother. My heart is growing.

Egypt

You say you want a revolution; my heart goes out to you. --The protesting, the revolt, the transformation, the crisis, the situation, the unrest, the turmoil-- .  Language is powerful. What we communicate is powerful. We are watching the efforts of our neighbors and we are communicating quickly and effectively, brother to brother, city to city, country to country. The advancement of technology and globalization is truly impacting our world and we are witnessing the effects on a global scale.

Twenty six year old Mohammed Bouazizi became Tunisia’s revolutionary after his vegetable cart was confiscated by local police. As a result of this final act of humiliation and oppression, Mohammed Bouazizi, desperately distraught and defeated, set himself on fire outside the provincial headquarters. Within ten days of his death, through Facebook, Twitter, e-mail and cell phones, Tunisians organized protests that over ruled a twenty year dictator. The people of Tunisia won.

The Egyptians currently suffering the same injustice and denial of human rights; watched the people’s road to victory and became very excited as did those in the neighboring countries of Jordan and Yemen. A young Egyptian and Google Marketing Executive, created a Facebook page titled “We are all Khalid Said”, and began networking that supported a call to end injustice.  Technology was used to very quickly communicate, educate, inspire and make public the voice of hope. (THIS IS REALLY BIG!)  

I remember reading, “The World is Flat”, (Well, at least chapter two.) and feeling so excited about Thomas Friedman’s synopsis of the technological advancements of computers, fiber optic cable, browsers and wireless communication.  He discussed how we do not know the impact. At the time I was taking my first economics course and so my thoughts were all about industry, consumption of natural resources and the importance of bequest value and protecting the planet. I thought about the job market, outsourcing and the elimination of the middle class. I hadn’t the foresight of revolution and the wonderful things that unity can bring. Could it be we are getting closer to supporting global human rights?

The media loves to highlight violence, fear and “what is dark”. Currently, there seems to be plenty of missed opportunity to share about the camaraderie and unity of the people on the streets and throughout neighborhoods of Cairo. I wish to hear more about the Egyptians and Americans living in Cairo, sharing oranges and protecting one another's family and homes.  I loved reading of how protesters built a human chain to protect those in prayer. Could it be the positives of human nature and the desire to end social injustice will be the contagion of goodness that spreads? Could the army be protecting the protesters? Aren’t the soldiers also hearing the spontaneous discussions of liberty and democracy? What role will they take in the revolutionary culture that is developing? I forget how ends, “Lord of the Flies”. Who gets the conch and does the boy without glasses make it home? There were no girls on the island. There are women in Tahrir Square.

Yemen, Jordan, Tunisia, Sudan, Syria are in the process of a condensed transition. These countries are experiencing a political convulsion; a regime change from within. Some say this is a fourth wave of democratization. But it is argued that although there is much potential, the change will not result in democracy.  Protesters and many supporters worldwide are enthusiastic for a pro democratic movement, but according to some there is not much favorable evidence. Currently there is no clear indication that the governments that move into power will be democratic. And history shows that the events in Egypt and throughout the regional countries, is the typical process of changing leadership. It is the norm that an uprising and or an assassination induces political transition. What is different is how we are watching and the efficiency by which we are communicating. Thwap, tap, tap, tap, slide scroll tap tap, slap. Click, beep.

So what do you think? Are we seeing legitimate change or just change in leadership?

Well, in the Middle East, we don’t have a soviet equivalent to befriend. The countries are governments that are already our allies, or are at least recognizing us as global neighbors. The new governments, or changed leadership that result from the transformation may hate us. They may impede on our battleships moving through the Suez Canal. Huh? When Eastern Europe began to fall the United States rushed in with money to try to help build the economy and support new governments. There was a proactive investment in the process of transition. We are not the people of Egypt. But, can we show support by continuing to give money to Egypt? The U.S. can stop giving money to the Egyptian military (tear gas and tanks) and give it to select Egyptian organizations that support healing and development of a governing system that gives voice to the people. Maybe we could invest in education and economic opportunity. How about a train?

I see a regionally trans-formative movement. I desire a globally transformed World. I hold thoughts of healing, justice and love for humanity. How about you? How are you discussing Egypt? --The protest, the revolt, the uprising, the transformation, the crisis, the situation, the unrest, the turmoil--. Which words do you use?

“We stand together”… with you.  

Obama signs documents for new nuclear arms treaty with Russia

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-02-02/us/obama.start_1_new-nuclear-arms-treaty-new-start-pact-russian-parliament?_s=PM:US

National Security

“We do not usually know how to distinguish between what is essential and what is secondary. We spend our lives running about here and there after pleasures that are forever eluding us and leaving us unsatisfied. We try to be happy come what may, without wondering whether we are causing anyone else to suffer in the process. We are prepared to do anything to amass and defend our possessions, which are neither lasting nor true sources of happiness.”Dalai Lama

When I was listening to the State of the Union address and President Obama mentioned celebrating the winner of the science fair, I thought about the science and technology of medicine, communications, clean energy and the environment. I never thought about competition around weaponry and national defense.  Did you?

“Security”, somehow I always associate this word with safety and comfort.  But, it is difficult to make any positive association with the word once it is written after national. It seems there are some truly insane weapons around the world. The recent lecture by Howard Kleinberg at UNCW revealed an arsenal of sophisticated nuclear weapons that left me feeling fragile and nauseous. The list of weaponry was powerful and extensive, covering short range, intercontinental, submarine launch able, multi-warhead, undetectable and all capable of human destruction on a massive scale. To sum it up, the current arsenal consists of very sophisticated weapons that are undetectable, travel four times the speed of sound and leave victims with essentially no time to react.  I thought, I must hurry home to my children.  And I wondered, would the recently discovered solar system be our Utopia?

When I asked Mr. Kleinberg if he was able to sleep, his response was, “yes". His awareness of the US military defense system gives him comfort. According to Mr. Kleinberg, the current defensive weapons empower the United States with the ability to eliminate threats and provide Americans safety. I believe his philosophy is to keep abreast of weapons technology by continuing to research and create extremely sophisticated anti weaponry (weapons) to keep up with and overpower our global neighbors.

Some of the future programs mentioned include, the Ballistic Missile Defense System, boost phase advancement, the Air Launched Hit to Kill (ALHTK) long range anti-missile that destroys an attack missile in the Boost phase, the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) which is an emerging optimal method to disengage missiles in the boost phase and the Multiple Kill Vehicles (MKV). Also mentioned was a  non-missile defense tactic under research that include the airborne laser test bed (ALTB) and Solid State Lasers which generates a laser to destroy weapons.

When I inquired whether research and progress was working toward eliminating existing weapons, I was given a quick lesson on the politics of defense and what I understand to be a sort of fear based ethics of fighting. As I ingest this foreign subject, it all feels pretty crazy. I suppose somewhere, I should feel grateful, but it is difficult to get my head around a reality so contradicting to a united world. I compare it to when it is suggested we pray for those “fighting for peace”. What nonsense.  Not prayer, fighting for peace. An oxymoron. Right? But, like I previously posted, I am spoiled with comforts and luxuries and therefore I am not willing to die for a cause. If I were suffering, I am sure I would react similar to the people in Cairo. My heart goes out to them. 

So, Mr. Kleinberg might say that I am in favor of the national defense program. Right? I don't know. I suppose I am just glad, fortunate and spoiled, that I almost never think about it.

Are we motivated by fear or love? I guess it is the responsibility of people who are motivated by love to spread it. I suppose our individual power lies in our ability to do so. You know, spread goodness to one another and reach out to those who suffer. I think we can find comfort in our work when we support others in recognizing the universals of culture and celebrating diversity. I am looking into ways to get young people excited about helping those less fortunate and practice giving and sharing.  I embrace the responsibility of introducing students to humanitarian efforts like, Pennies for Peace programs that build schools for impoverished Middle Eastern communities. I practice modeling behavior that is loving. I try to encourage children to develop friendships around the world. I need to do whatever I can to support a peaceful future.

Rebuilding Haiti

Rebuilding Haiti

My knowledge on the ethics of government has barely surpassed the “Lord of the Flies”, and so I hesitate sharing opinion on the economics of foreign aid. And as I continue to eat cake, I can’t rightfully consider myself humanitarian. I am intrigued by people and I desire to connect with others. I seek opportunity to give, because I want. I have never chosen to starve for the sake of the public and when it comes to ensuring the success of my family, I am extremely selfish.  Admittedly, I am an overindulgent privileged American whose suffering is limited solely to the manifestation of thoughts around unmet desires. These sufferings, as magnificent as I make them to be, are comparatively detestable. I feel shame as I write.

The absence of inalienable human rights a year following the tragedy is heartbreaking. Thousands of Haitians are living helpless in the grip of a cholera epidemic. The grotesquely unsanitary living conditions are breeding disease and the healthcare institutions are insufficient. Victims of the earthquake are experiencing a life of malnutrition, hunger, and physically disabling injuries. The lack of government leadership is preventing competent delegation and distribution of support funding and charitable services. Currently there is no strategic plan in place to end the consequences of a crumbled city of concrete rubble. The island is in dark chaos.

Following the earthquake the United States joined countries worldwide in relief efforts to the island county ruined by a natural disaster. A tragedy that science reveals is highly likely to happen again and again. The likelihood of continual reoccurring quakes is concern enough for some people to deem money better spent. The island country is destitute. Haiti has no immediately foreseeable resources like oil, uranium or highly advanced science engineers and the return of investment is estimated decades away.

I believe this thinking is short sighted. I like to imagine a cooperative global support project. The immediate return investment would be the international relationships established in the work efforts.  Being of service to those in need creates a positive energy that would influence the development of friendships and global business relations. A shared commitment to being of service to Haiti could result in a self sufficient island country that becomes a productive member of the global economy.

Our world is becoming increasingly interconnected. Is it possible to join together and organize an international leadership team with one relief budget? What can we imagine, contemplate and do that supports a vision of hope for those suffering?

Some selected text from an article written by Nathanial Gronewold, Greenwire 1-13-2011…

About 690,000 people have been moved off the streets to new temporary or permanent housing, and authorities say earthquake-hit populations have adequate access to food and medical care and most students have returned to school.

Five percent of the earthquake rubble has been cleared from Port-au-Prince.

Aid agencies and organizations working in the "shelter cluster," led by the International Organization for Migration, estimate that they had built 31,656 transitional homes by the end of last year, beating their goal of 30,000.

An effort to restore degraded land along Haiti's southern coast has relaunched, led by teams bia University and an assortment of nongovermental organizations and made possible by a $15 million grant from Norway and Catholic Relief Services [ http://crs.org/ ]. More than 300 square miles of land and about 200 square miles of a marine zone should be restored under the program.

That "Côte Sud Initiative" is part of a larger 20-year plan to reforest Haiti's bald mountainsides, establish more natural protected areas and restore the nation's natural resources.

A San Diego-based group, Plant with Purpose, [ http://www.plantwithpurpose.org/ ], estimates that it alone has planted around 240,000 trees and built more than 360 miles of "soil conservation barriers" in rural Haiti since the quake, spending $1 million to hire Haitians to do

the work.

               Copyright 2011 Environment & Energy Publishing. All Rights Reserved. www.greenwire.com

What do you think?

But wait...didn't so many rush to the rescue?

Haiti: The Shattered Year- A NYtimes Powerpoint video journal 

I thought I would begin with an informal posting prior to lecture and discussion reflection. I have read a couple of articles on the former dictator, Jean-Claude Duvalier's return to the island country and of course his decision to return seems a bit strange. But I wonder... isn't history filled with redemption and changes of heart?

The imagery in the above link is a powerful story. I am curious if discussion will lead toward the importance of developing meaningful relationships with people worldwide. When people come together to support each other in crisis, hopefully the work will foster relationships that positively effect other global issues, challenges and opportunities.