2008 Olympic Protests

Hooray for the 1st Amendment!!!

Even those that are not citizens of this country have learned the value of the freedom of speech. Even the China visa carriers, who are now following the torch as an expression of support for the communistic oppression their government imposes upon them don’t realize their presence along the parade route is an expression of freedom they don’t enjoy in their ‘homeland’ in the case where their opinion differs with that of the Chinese government.

If China has a problem with the rest of the world’s disapproval of their treatment to the workers in their factories, well then they ought to listen when the entire world shares in that disapproval.

China should listen as the world disagrees with their violence against the peaceful monks in Tibet.

China wants to be a player with the majors of the world. If they want to be known as a legitimate player, not some cheap imitator, they need to realize the world changed and are smarter than the bland, heavy handed ‘brainwashing’ propaganda being sent across the pond posing as intelligent explanation of human rights violations.

Currently, their propaganda deifies those who choose to voice disapproval of the treatment of the citizens of the country of Tibet (yes, I know, but it’s fun to antagonize). Gatherings, protests, etc. I’m not the biggest fan of trying to squash the torch, but if no-one gets hurt, it gets the attention of the world.
With that said, China tries to condemn the protests as out of place and inappropriate to the season of the Olympic Games and the Olympic ‘spirit’. Hypocrisy at best!

The 1st Amendment and the spirit of the 1st Amendment (in other countries) in this case is providing an open forum for the World to share in a single voice that China has some growing up to do. And if that voice happens to coincide with the Olympic Games, well, the timing couldn’t be better. But let’s make sure no one gets hurt.

Age restriction in professional sports?

Go ahead… share all the usual anecdotes about “The American Way” about the right to make money when the market says you can compete for it. General support for that notwithstanding, just becuase someone is CAPABLE of performing, doesn’t ENTITLE someone to a license.
Case in point, I could drive just as well and even better at 14 as every other 70 year old grandma that can’t see over the stearing wheel. Why couldn’t I get that license? Because someone made that rule.

Dictator/Commissioner Stern and the NBA are mulling over the idea of further delaying the eligibility of the draft to the age of 20. I can’t really believe I’m trying to help make the point for Dictator Stern, but there are some arguments to be shared.

In your neighborhood, find the two 17 year olds with the best and worst character assessments. Give each one 10 million dollars.

Does anyone think that at the end of that $10 million, the one with the worst character will gravitate to the tendencies of the best vs the other way around?

Some make the argument that we all have the right to make bad decisions… When bad decisions result in bad trouble, if there are ways to mitigate those trouble making decisions in advance, we have the responsibility to take advantage of those opportunities.

Illegal Immigration: Life Lesson in the Making

I’ve recently observed a proposal that in exchange for U.S. citizenship, illegal aliens be given the opportunity to earn citizenship through a short stint in the armed services. I have to admit, at first thought I am perplexed. I’m not of the mind that service in the Army should be utilized as a sentence (for troubled youth) or domestic admission for citizenship. On the other hand, if those who so disparately value a life in the U.S. that they brave the searing sun over 100 miles for a job, then I would be willing to give them this opportunity in order to earn what they demonstrate is valuable to them.

If given the opportunity, would they even share the thought that they hold that much value for life in the U.S. Or, would they continue to balk at any thought where citizenship would come at a cost.

Defenders voice that illegal aliens “pay taxes”. Well the truth is they do and they don’t. They pay taxes on the products that they buy. Great, that’s appreciated, but to be perfectly honest, there is no way around it. You can’t go to McDonalds and decline to pay the tax. But like the border, they pursue any means by which they can escape income tax, which every law abiding U.S. citizen must pay. When U.S. citizens do not pay the appropriate income tax, they then experience the force of the law upon them to encourage them to become compliant.

Nobody is asking that the illegal be forced to follow anything rules or processes that any other U.S. citizen doesn’t already do. But they are asking (even demanding) every freedom that U.S. citizens enjoy but continue to try to circumvent what those costs are.

In the end, I have the opinion that I am for such alternatives to U.S. citizenship for illegal aliens. However, I already fear for the headline which would read: “Army Generals Racist: Consistently send Hispanic Citizenship Enlistees to the front lines.” I think I read something similar in a history book somewhere. Might have had something to do with the Vietnam War and African American soldiers.
History repeats itself when we (earth inhabitants) fail to learn the appropriate Life Lesson, until we get it right.

Obama already is contradicting himself

It had to happen sooner or later.
The 2008 election has been upon us since the close of the 2004 election. I had been able to let disregard all previous rhetoric previous to now as pure pontification. Only today was something observed which I thought should be called out as a bit hypocritical.

I don’t yet want to summarize where I feel on any particular candidate as I’m still trying to keep myself firmly planted in the middle without prejudice. While this submission will single out Barack Obama, it isn’t with the intent to discredit his candidacy, but rather to keep him honest in what he says.

In his speech, Obama, D-Illinois, said things would look different in an Obama administration: “When I am president, we will wage the war that has to be won, with a comprehensive strategy with five elements: getting out of Iraq and on the right battlefield in Afghanistan and Pakistan; developing the capabilities and partnerships we need to take out the terrorists and the world’s most deadly weapons; engaging the world to dry up support for terror and extremism; restoring our values; and securing a more resilient homeland.”
“If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets, and President Musharraf won’t act, we will.”
– CNN.com

Isn’t this what GWB initially set out to do? The intelligence the U.S. used (albeit inaccurate in hind-sight) was actionable and was baked up by data from multiple other countries, notably all those within the U.N. Security Council. For Obama to say that his tack greatly differs from that which GWB used, is misleading at best, hypocritical in truth and fear-provoking at worst. Obama has used his “innocence” as a Senator to discredit those who voted in support of the initial invasion of Iraq, but then uses the same justification which was used to justify that invasion for one of his own.

Obama will say. “He elevates al Qaeda in Iraq — which didn’t exist before our invasion — and overlooks the people who hit us on 9/11, who are training recruits in Pakistan.”
–CNN.com

For Obama to assume that al Qaeda didn’t exist in Iraq before the U.S. invaded seems a bit naive.

I’m pleased to see such a large panel of candidates on both sides. Although I don’t much care for the nicey-nice tactic which both sides seem to be enacting with this go ‘round. I’m sure it won’t last long the sooner we get to the primaries.

Good Luck to Obama as he finds a way to correct this. Yes; I’m assuming there will be a “clarification”. I think he makes a viable candidate that both sides will have to be mindful of in this election if not the next.

Life is but a dream

Tragedies such as the massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado have become moments of national (disgrace, heartache, unbelief), in large part because of satellite and TV technology, but those same media conglomerates could be capturing how the Amish have emerged as a shining lighthouse to the world in their response to their tragedy this week.

Unfortunately, media (of all types) continue the shameful moniker that “if it bleeds, it leads.” It’s shameful that more haven’t used their [the medias] influential power to improve the world by exemplifying how the Amish have reacted to this invasion of their [the Amish], if not respectful then at least peaceful, lifestyle.

This isn’t a rant/rave against the media per se, rather a request for all to take this opportunity to recognize how their [the Amish’s] response has been received [by us]. And just as important that it IS POSSIBLE to remain an ambassador of peace even in the face death itself. I have yet to see anyone question the response of the Amish. While everyone would empathize with a feelings of revenge or hatred… but the Amish have risen above to show us/me that there are other ways to react.

I’m not calling on everyone to adopt the Amish way to shun the modern world and both its ills and conveniences, I myself won’t give up my dune trips and off-road adventures… rather I’m asking that we all recognize the life lesson on their behalf and learn to respond appropriately to those trespasses in our lives.

To those of Nickel Mines, in Lancaster County, I won’t forget your bravery and example and I wish you and your families well.

Peace be with you.