Age

As I get further down the path of life I think about things and question things I've never thought about deeply before. One is aging. For me, age has a number of components, some of which we can control. The one component most discussed is chronological age. Most don't want to get "old" - but unless the numbers keep growing, we're dead. So the question for me is, what is "old"? Is it the number (which we want to keep growing) or is it the rest of the stuff?

What stuff? The other components of "age" are, in my opinion, psychological, physical, mental, emotional. I think these (other than being effected by disease or accident) are controllable. Thus a person of 90 ("old") can be very "young" (active/vibrant) in these areas. And a person of 30 ("young") can be very "old" (inactive/dull).

So, for me, yahoo - I'm 65! I've concluded that life is change, choices and relationships.

Veterans Day - 11/11/2011

I'm a veteran. I was in the Army, infantry, Viet Nam. I think Veterans Day has been subverted from it's original intent and is now just one more tool that is used to build the myth that the solution to conflict is military action.

I feel that the glorification of the military is so pervasive it has become part of our culture. "The few the proud . . .", "An army of one", highways dedicated to military units and organizations, fighter jet fly overs, POW-MIA flags, basketball games on war ships - the list goes on and on. What is seldom said is that military action is death and destruction. Therefore, all of these subtly add to the myth and glorify the act of killing.

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918 was when the killing stopped in WWI. In November of 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. He said this day should be used by America "to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations". On June 4, 1926 Congress passed a resolution that said we should observe the day "with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples."

I recommend that you use the eleventh hour of the eleventh day to research the most decorated Marine in history - two time Medal of Honor recipient General Smedley Butler. After his career he wrote a booklet titled, "War is a Racket". Reflect on General Butler, the trillions of dollars spent on war, the millions of lives lost and ruined, and the original intent of Veterans Day. Then, do something to promote peace and justice.

9/11 WAS/IS A CRIME

9/11/2001 was a crime, not an act of war. Four women from New Jersey, whose spouses had been killed in the Twin Towers, forced an investigation. Those in power fought the concept, and then stacked the Commission so that the toughest questions would not be asked.

The nation of Afghanistan was invaded and occupied. We were told to go shopping. The nation of Iraq was invaded and occupied. We were told that weapons of mass destruction were everywhere. Millions of people have been killed, maimed, displaced, and negatively effected by a decision to use violence vs. the rule of law.

On this tenth anniversary of the squandering of an opportunity to set a world example for non-violent conflict resolution, I recommend that you research 9/11 and then have dialogue on the options that could have been chosen.

GOVERNMENT IS NOT A BUSINESS

Many people have been overwhelmed by the "business mind set" - if it works for business, it works for government. I believe this mindset is un-democratic and short sighted.

I'm a retired businessperson. I've worked for small companies, Fortune 100 corporations, and finished my career as a business owner. As I watch politicians try to cut their way to "strong" states and a "strong" nation, I find that there is much confusion between the purpose of business and the purpose of government.

The purpose of a democratic government is to provide the programs and structure that allow the people to be the best that they can be. The purpose of business is to provide products/services that generate a profit. Both share the need for efficiency. Both must generate revenue. Both must control their expenditures. However, their purpose, their reason for being, is very different.

A business can achieve its purpose by charging a price for its products/services, expanding its market and controlling its costs. A business can start up or close down at will. It can have products/services that are aimed at selective segments of its selective market.

A democratic government can achieve its purpose by listening to the people. It must decide what the people want/need. It must then raise the revenue to accomplish these wants/needs. It can't close down or start up at will. It must serve the majority of the people. It must look at the long term and assess its actions on future generations.

People in a democratic society - WE THE PEOPLE - expect to pay taxes and fees. We expect services. We expect efficiency. We expect fairness. We don't expect special treatment for the richest. We don't expect bribery in the form of "campaign contributions". We don't expect to be treated less fairly than the people who hold political office. We expect a government of, by and for the people - not just the richest people, not just the business people - all of the people. We are a state and a nation, not a business.

Memorial Day - 2011

Memorial Day - for some it's the start of the summer season and a holiday. For others it's a day to wave a flag and go to a parade. I’d like to see Memorial Day be a day for dialogue on issues that really matter for the future of our children and for this country as a whole.

There are many things that can be discussed. Here are some suggestions. Why do we have war? Why do we so proudly send our children to kill other children? Why are weapons our number one export product? Why do we have over 700 military bases in over 140 countries? Why do almost half of our tax dollars go to the war industry? Why do we cheer when the government chooses to assassinate someone instead of using the rule of law? Why do we ignore the Geneva Convention and the voices of experienced interrogators and use torture? Why do we allow those in power to demonize entire nations or cultures, or religions? Why do we think we are better than the rest of the people of the world? Why do we let the corporate owned media tell us what to think and do? Why are we so afraid of everything? Why do we read so little and watch TV so much? Why don’t we know our history?

So, while you’re grilling your hot dogs or standing at the parade, bring up an issue, get other viewpoints, engage in dialogue. The children and this country are depending on it.

Elite "Rights"

I’m a father, retired business owner and a military veteran (Army, infantry, Viet Nam). I marvel at how well the elites have convinced us that they, the upper 5%, have the absolute right to rule our country. It reminds me of the feudalism that controlled Europe for 600 years.

The elites, via their media, and well-paid serfs, tell us that what is good for them is good for us. They branded the estate tax as a “death tax”. So, a tax that only effected the top 2% was eliminated. Billions were removed from our revenue stream. Income taxes are bad they say. So taxes on the richest are branded “repressive” and massively cut. Billions were removed from our revenue stream. Medical bills are the leading cause of bankruptcy in this country but universal health care is bad they say. So it’s branded “death panels” and never considered because the elites want to protect the billions they make from insurance and drugs. We have wars and our kids suffer and die, but the war contractor elite brand it “fighting for freedom” and make billions in profits from our tax dollars, and pay virtually no taxes.

No amount of program “cuts” will improve this nation. We need to expand programs to help the people, and thus we need more revenue. During the Eisenhower years the elites were taxed at 90%. They survived and the nation prospered.

We have, I believe, feudalism wrapped in red, white and blue and branded “democracy”.

Israel

Many, including myself, have a difficult time defining Israel. The word is wrapped up with nation, bible, Jews, apartheid, history, genocide, holocaust, Palestine, violence, loyalty oaths, destruction, international law, nuclear weapons, settlements, brutality, walls, guilt, suicide bombs, Germany, Holy Land, aggression, defense, God, hatred, media, Zionism, money, Muslims, anti-Semitism, pity, children, peace, middle east, oppression, one state/two state, murder, driven into the sea.

In November of 2007 I attended a lecture at Michigan State University given by Anna Baltzer. Her talk was titled “Life in Occupied Palestine” and included many photos from her visits. It was the first time I was shown what was happening. The visuals were powerful. I was in the infantry in Viet Nam, but this was much more than violence and war. This was systematic hatred.

I bought her book, “Witness in Palestine” and her DVD, “Life in Occupied Palestine”. Both are excellent. The book has five appendices that cover: what you can do, resource guide, brief history, myths and frequently asked questions, quotations from prominent figures. There is also a glossary.

Since 2007 I have attended many lectures, read a number of books, spoken with many people who have been to Palestine, and attended a seminar by the Hillel student organization where I was in a breakout session by the Israeli Defense Force – IDF. I continue to explore.

When defining any country, region, people, or belief system I have come to realize that generalizations are destructive to discussion. Thus I need to look at policies and actions. When it comes to governments, I have come to the conclusion that the people of a nation need to be viewed separately from the actions of their government.   People are pretty much the same the world over. They want to live a life without strife and concentrate on their well-being. The history of those in power - rulers/governments - is mainly about keeping their power, despite those they govern.

I have concluded that the government of Israel is immoral and extremists. To stay in power and to get support for their tactics, they have made the Jewish religion synonymous with Israel. This, I believe, is a travesty.