My heartfelt congratulations to the people in Tahrir Square. Now that Mubarek is gone, what next?
Will the U.S. be happy with the results of a free democratic election, no matter who becomes the next Egyptian leader? Even if the Muslim Brotherhood gains seats in the newly formed Parliament, it does not mean it is not a democratic process. The Brotherhood, as I understand it, represents no more than 25 or 30 percent of the population, but that is a significant minority which must be heard.
The fear is of course that a new Egyptian democracy will be hijacked as it was in Iran June a year and a half ago or back when the Shah was removed from his throne during the Iranian Revolution in 1979. The people of Egypt are not going to let this happen: theirs is an educated and intelligent movement and they have history to learn from.
The U.S. can not support democratic elections in the middle east and then quarrel with the results.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Egypt
Will the people in Tahrir Square be happy with Suleiman as interim president -- until the September elections?
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Wael Ghonim--is he the one?
I'm not so sure. A brave young man, yes. But the leader of the opposition -- maybe not.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
An Orderly Transition. . .
I keep hearing this phrase on the cable channels, over and over again since the beginning of the peoples' protest in Egypt over a week ago.
What the pundits are saying is that they want a continuation of the regime with different faces but the same philosophy which is to maintain an autocratic hand on the people and above all, preserve the peace treaty with Israel.
The Middle East is experiencing a wave of desire for liberty and preserving a peace accord with Israel is not going to stop it. I think our President has expressed the perfect pitch up to now. Now, however, he's going to have to be seen as siding with the demonstrators and preventing a massacre by the Egyptian troops (not necessarily the military, but the police or perhaps just hired goons) as a result of Mubarek's sly manipulation of the situation. This morning, bus-loads of armed and violent "thugs" motored onto the streets of Cairo, creating the first signs of violence into a week-long peaceful protest. This allows Mubarek the pretext upon which to order the army to exert force -- in order to keep the peace.
He needs to go now, even if that leaves a void in the government. ElBaradei is probably not the man to lead a new government in Egypt, but he might be able to muster enough support to maintain order until a new leader is chosen.
These are smart, sincere people who should be heard. Let us listen, Mr. Obama.
What the pundits are saying is that they want a continuation of the regime with different faces but the same philosophy which is to maintain an autocratic hand on the people and above all, preserve the peace treaty with Israel.
The Middle East is experiencing a wave of desire for liberty and preserving a peace accord with Israel is not going to stop it. I think our President has expressed the perfect pitch up to now. Now, however, he's going to have to be seen as siding with the demonstrators and preventing a massacre by the Egyptian troops (not necessarily the military, but the police or perhaps just hired goons) as a result of Mubarek's sly manipulation of the situation. This morning, bus-loads of armed and violent "thugs" motored onto the streets of Cairo, creating the first signs of violence into a week-long peaceful protest. This allows Mubarek the pretext upon which to order the army to exert force -- in order to keep the peace.
He needs to go now, even if that leaves a void in the government. ElBaradei is probably not the man to lead a new government in Egypt, but he might be able to muster enough support to maintain order until a new leader is chosen.
These are smart, sincere people who should be heard. Let us listen, Mr. Obama.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
The UN and the Coca Leaf
The United Nations is about to make another big mistake, reprising their decision to add the coca leaf to a compendium of illicit drugs including heroin and opium as they did in 1961. Unless, that is, Bolivia's request to amend the requirement to ban the chewing, brewing and other uses of the coca leaf for traditionally religious and medicinal purposes, is granted.
I am neither Bolivian, nor a part of any indigenous society. I am a U.S. citizen appalled by the injustice of the 1961 decision by the UN and the United States' role in condoning the ban as well as continuing the eradication of the coca leaf program as part as the war on drugs. I was raised in Bolivia for five of my childhood years and continue to identify with the natives as part of my own family. Yes, I learned about coca and drank coca tea on recent trips to Peru and Bolivia and I am not alone. You may be surprised to learn that mate' de coca is commonly served to visiting diplomats to counter the effects of "soroche," the high-altitude sickness for which many visitors are unprepared.
The indigenous peoples of Latin America have been using the sacred coca leaf for centuries for the reasons cited above -- it is their right to do so. It is our responsibility to keep some greedy so and so from isolating one of fourteen alkaloids in the coca leaf and mixing it with toxic substances to create cocaine (I am no chemist, but this is what I've read). I'm not sure what the U. S. can do to prevent it, but the abysmal failure of the "war on drugs" for the last forty years speaks volumes that IT is not the right way.
The U.S. should not be involved in abrogating the rights of the indigenous population of Latin America; it is in direct violation of the 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples to which President Obama belatedly agreed in December while addressing an august body of over 500 federally recognized Native American nations.
There is an ancient prophecy extant in Latin America today that says that when the eagle flies with the condor there will be peace among nations. The eagle represents western civilization with its emphasis on technology, commerce and modern pill-popping pharmacology while the condor embodies the indigenous peoples of the world, respecting earth and earth's creatures as well as the natural curatives the earth provides (e.g. the coca leaf).
Perhaps it is time for the eagle to join with the condor; perhaps it is time to learn from each other and respect each others' rights to live our lives with respect, maintaining our dignity and traditions. If we learn to respect ancient tradition, perhaps then we can heal the rifts between the U. S. and left-leaning countries such as Bolivia and Venezuela. We can not expect the entire world to follow our principles in governing and tradition, but that should not mean we can't get along; why can't we respect that?
As Evo Morales said during his campaign for president of Bolivia, "Coca si, Cocaina, no."
I am neither Bolivian, nor a part of any indigenous society. I am a U.S. citizen appalled by the injustice of the 1961 decision by the UN and the United States' role in condoning the ban as well as continuing the eradication of the coca leaf program as part as the war on drugs. I was raised in Bolivia for five of my childhood years and continue to identify with the natives as part of my own family. Yes, I learned about coca and drank coca tea on recent trips to Peru and Bolivia and I am not alone. You may be surprised to learn that mate' de coca is commonly served to visiting diplomats to counter the effects of "soroche," the high-altitude sickness for which many visitors are unprepared.
The indigenous peoples of Latin America have been using the sacred coca leaf for centuries for the reasons cited above -- it is their right to do so. It is our responsibility to keep some greedy so and so from isolating one of fourteen alkaloids in the coca leaf and mixing it with toxic substances to create cocaine (I am no chemist, but this is what I've read). I'm not sure what the U. S. can do to prevent it, but the abysmal failure of the "war on drugs" for the last forty years speaks volumes that IT is not the right way.
The U.S. should not be involved in abrogating the rights of the indigenous population of Latin America; it is in direct violation of the 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples to which President Obama belatedly agreed in December while addressing an august body of over 500 federally recognized Native American nations.
There is an ancient prophecy extant in Latin America today that says that when the eagle flies with the condor there will be peace among nations. The eagle represents western civilization with its emphasis on technology, commerce and modern pill-popping pharmacology while the condor embodies the indigenous peoples of the world, respecting earth and earth's creatures as well as the natural curatives the earth provides (e.g. the coca leaf).
Perhaps it is time for the eagle to join with the condor; perhaps it is time to learn from each other and respect each others' rights to live our lives with respect, maintaining our dignity and traditions. If we learn to respect ancient tradition, perhaps then we can heal the rifts between the U. S. and left-leaning countries such as Bolivia and Venezuela. We can not expect the entire world to follow our principles in governing and tradition, but that should not mean we can't get along; why can't we respect that?
As Evo Morales said during his campaign for president of Bolivia, "Coca si, Cocaina, no."
Friday, January 21, 2011
So Long, Michael Steele
I will miss your smiling face and your incredible ebullience. There's a place for you. Be grateful it's not heading up this bunch of wimpy, over the hill, ungrateful rabbits, scared of their own shadow. They tried to reign you in, but you couldn't be controlled. I admire that. Good luck to you for a new and exciting future.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
"...a new generation of Americans..."
A small tribute to JFK on the 50th anniversary of his inaugural address.
I, friends, remember that day very well, an icy January morning with frost tweaking the noses of attendees and Frost (Robert) having to resort to reciting a poem from memory rather than reading the one he had written especially for the occasion because of being blinded by the sun. I remember the top hat JFK refused to wear and Jackie's elegance in spite of being so close to delivering John-John.
I tend to wax sentimental when I talk of those times. Fact is, it was different back then. Politics was still politics but with an element of civility--ah, yes, a topic much discussed this past week ad nauseum. And only ten days after the tragedy in Tucson, we've got some congressman from Tennessee insisting on the House floor that GOP lies on health reform are reminiscent of Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels. So much for civility. Check out Google's logo for the JFK anniversary -- it was extremely well done -- awesome, in fact.
I, friends, remember that day very well, an icy January morning with frost tweaking the noses of attendees and Frost (Robert) having to resort to reciting a poem from memory rather than reading the one he had written especially for the occasion because of being blinded by the sun. I remember the top hat JFK refused to wear and Jackie's elegance in spite of being so close to delivering John-John.
I tend to wax sentimental when I talk of those times. Fact is, it was different back then. Politics was still politics but with an element of civility--ah, yes, a topic much discussed this past week ad nauseum. And only ten days after the tragedy in Tucson, we've got some congressman from Tennessee insisting on the House floor that GOP lies on health reform are reminiscent of Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels. So much for civility. Check out Google's logo for the JFK anniversary -- it was extremely well done -- awesome, in fact.
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