Friday, December 29, 2006

"Vengeance be Mine," saith The Lord

To Mrs. Janc Once Proud To Be

I never could see
Attacking those who cannot
Defend themselves
Like Jerry Janc
Can tell no tales.

It is beyond my comprehension
How a kindhearted man
Years dead
Could inspire such vitriol
Ole Jer made mistakes
But he didn’t make that many.

To talk ill of the dead
Calls the ghost in
He’s really old now
Like he seemed to us then.
A leader set out to be broke
Like a glass horse.

Jerry was so transparent
I could see all those interests
Floating in alcohol
He drank teetering on the edge
Of Women’s Liberation.

Even if Jerry
Popped out of the bottle
Long enough to write
The literary novel he dreamed
He would not compete with you.

We partied hardy often and long
On the hill by 3 Points
I knew you then
And I still know Jerry
Because he died at 42.

Let Jerry Janc
Rest in peace
Or at least remember him
As the father of your children
And the man who
Never left a bum empty handed.

Friday, December 22, 2006

Iraq and Palestine

Iraq and Palestine

A study of peace must yield many prospectus points of view. Refusing to recognize a point of view is prohibited. We must deal with who is there now and their relation to the recently formed governments in Iraq and Palestine must be assessed from a social point of view as well as a reassessment from a militaristic perspective as to the actual size of the armies involved and the impact of this information on our future course of action.

It appears that the exercise of Democracy must yield the results desired proclaimed or decreed by US? I question not the results of the election, but what brought the people to that decision? Were certain political parties banned? What basic question must be answered before the sovereignty of elected governments is toppled for sectarian reasons? It is hypocrisy to tout democracy and then criticize the results. All sides must engage in dialogue at the forum through their elected official. Respect life and disengage in killing others. Period. Stop blowing each other up. Stop attacking US troops. US troops will cease fire as the truce develops. Stop lobbing bombs into Israel and receiving more of the same. Embargoes become a thing of the past. Restitution is possible.

All viewpoints must be heard. All viewpoints must have an articulate spokesperson. If a group viewpoint does not have such, then they are common criminals subject to local police control.

A summit consisting of the real contenders must be constructed. Refusing to talk to any of them will invalidate the summit.

Who are the contenders?

UN
US
Iraq
Iran
Pope
Imam
Syria
Israel
Russia
Jordan
Lebanon
Palestine
The factions therein wherein as evidenced by local importance.
Who else?

All these wars are wasting resources. Scientific cooperation and respect would be such an improvement over the current situations, even the self proclaimed followers of various religions would recognize the value of peace.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

President Bush Must Assess Data

President Bush must assess data from many sources in order to formulate a new way in Iraq. I, like many others, have an opinion on what would assist in the democratization of Iraq and the extrication of our forces from a combat role. Like all momentous decisions, changes in the course of war must be carefully considered.

An inexpensive change in attitude could be the spark that ignites democracy in Iraq, instead of sectarian based civil war. Legalize the Baath Party and call for an election in the near term to determine the future course of Iraq. Call for a cease fire until the elections are finalized. The First Iraqi Congress will form policy as a unified government for the people of Iraq.

To them, I say this: if you continue civil war you prove Saddam correct that a boot heel to the neck is what kind of self control you can exert. You within your society find a way to offer solace to those bereaved that does not involve warfare.

A very recent overture of a respected Imam is an important sign that a political settlement is possible. Legalize all the banned political parties and welcome the Sunnis to the political process. Let the people vote and see if moderate or war candidates win. Let a truce be declared and an election take place.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Neanderthal Man

All this speculation concerning Neanderthalensis has my mind in a buzz. Here’s my take on Homo Neanderthalensis……

An Ice Age mammal, shaggy and thick, Neanderthal man evolved from Homo Erectus gone arctic as a possessor of fire and a static tool kit 200,000 years old. Climate change hit the ice age mammals hard and left little to hunt for a being devoted to hunting with probably a small amount of gathering. Did their bodies make vitamins A and D? Were they exclusively predators? Could they not compete against a superior toolkit and division of labor?

What social organization did Neanderthal possess? Like that of a troop? Was sewing never invented because of their shaggy coat? Was warmth anathema to them, sealing their doom as the climate warmed?

So Homo Erectus gave rise to Sapiens, Neanderthal, Flores and maybe more…Neanderthal toolkits remained unchanged for 200,000 years until confronted with the roaming Sapiens and their superior toolkits. A brief mingling of traditions ended with the extinction of Neanderthal ca. 28,000 years ago but they shared space with Sapiens for thousands of years.

Who were they? The trolls, the dwarfs, Bigfoot or maybe even the druids living within the hollow of a huge tree? Neanderthal were giants of strength but not socially organized to evolve culturally to fit the changing conditions, which included hunting and territorial advances by Sapiens.

Monday, December 04, 2006

Leaked Memo

Another leaked memo, the recent first of which did nothing to help the president’s efforts in the Middle East and this newest of which leads me to believe that the reputation for not tolerating dissent is definitely spread about, like manure upon farmland. A recommendation that policy be changed may have been a layoff opportunity or a retirement opportunity. I think the point here is to accept the fact that change is needed
and Mr. Secretary is also in favor of this idea whose time has come.

It is necessary to forward peace at every opportunity. The positioning of more units on borders, thus dividing up your force into thirds does not point to peace because this movement would open more possibility of encounters. Divide and conquer, the old saying applies to talk as well as physical action, does it not? Dividing your force into fragments may be a dangerous thing to do. There’s safety in numbers, ho ho ho Happy Holidays.

Another point for consideration are the arms dealer nations, like the USA, the Russians, the Chinese and who else? The arms brokers need to be talked about and some questions answered like the lucrative arms sales agreements between nations and other such econo-political agreements. Review the financial feasibility of continuance and possibly the dangers of such draining agreements. Possibly the totals garnered through such deals and who is capitalizing on war should be revealed for moral scrutiny at the United Nations.

Refugee costs are mounting and this must be studied in order to make an effective settlement in the Middle East. The countries that took in Palestinians and Iraquis should have consideration. The value of vacant land now is what the land is worth and the value of the land must have consideration. People cannot be dispossessed and another taking their former place and not expect opposition? This is a long lived conflict why not make it another 100 years war? Get real. None of so many of us caused this hassle, which should also be of consideration. Happy New Year and the Christians can pray for peace anew as the solstice dims our daylight and we glower inside caves with a fire burning a piece of the sun god keep us warm.

Friday, December 01, 2006

Research Opportunities

A Research Opportunity


An analysis reveals the lack of an idea
To halt the conflict between Israel and Palestine
I will address this need to negotiate
But data must be gathered
In order to understand the faceted universe
Of conflict.

This data must be assembled and fashioned
Into a short report understandable
To the entire body.
An open forum add to the categories
Avoiding emotional involvement
Cater to facts.

Each forum must be composed of members
Representing all parties
All religions
Literate learned individuals
Scientists and scholars
Fair individuals who sign an oath
To report unbiased

Data categories to research:
Ancient history
History 20th century to present
The original establishment of Israel document
Palestinian representation in legal decisions concerning them
United Nations Actions
Present human conditions in Palestine and Israel
Palestinian refugees costs and reparations to host countries
Open ended list…..