EIN News says, "U.S. to Cut Aid to Pakistan Military Units Over Human Rights Abuses. The U.S. government plans to cut military aid to several Pakistani military units as punishment for human rights abuses, including torture and extrajudicial executions, according to senior officials. (guardian.co.uk)".
Good move for the wrong reason. We should not be giving military aid to Pakistan or any other country. We are not in the business of nationbuilding. We have enough difficulty right now in rebuilding our own nation from the serious destruction caused by Democratic/Socialistic actions.
Human rights abuses, including torture and extrajudicial executions, will continue on a worldwide basis no matter what the US government thinks or does. The answer is to maintain within the US a constitutional human rights program, and invite immigration on a controlled basis to those persons who are being subjected to those hardships in their home countries. Simultaneously, we must consider a limitation on numbers and quality of immigrants. This is no different than persons trying to take in all available stray cats and dogs, when those persons are unable to handle their own livelihood.
Friday, October 22, 2010
We Need Trust in Government
EIN News says, "Iraq Province Says Foreign Gas Firms Are Unwelcome. Authorities in a western Iraqi province rejected the results of this week's government-organized gas auction, which allowed a pair of foreign companies to develop a big deposit on its territory. (yahoo.com)".
This confirms what I said a few days ago, which was that there was very little participation in the bidding because potential bidders did not trust the Iraqi government.
I maintain my more important point from this lesson, which is that the US must reestablish trust in government by its citizenry. We should do that by simplifying verbiage in our laws, not quibbling about details or establishing exceptions, reducing the size of government, and having government involved only in those matters for which government is needed.
This confirms what I said a few days ago, which was that there was very little participation in the bidding because potential bidders did not trust the Iraqi government.
I maintain my more important point from this lesson, which is that the US must reestablish trust in government by its citizenry. We should do that by simplifying verbiage in our laws, not quibbling about details or establishing exceptions, reducing the size of government, and having government involved only in those matters for which government is needed.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Lack of Trust in Government Inhibits Development
EIN News says, " Iraq Offers Up Three Gas Fields to Global Firms. Iraq auctioned off three major natural gas fields to international companies, part of its strategy to shake off a legacy of war and isolation by opening up the lucrative sector. (reuters.com)
Only five companies submitted bids for Iraq gas fields. Only one bid submitted for second-largest field on offer."
The reason for the low participation is clear. Drilling companies do not trust the government.
You may want to take the page from that book. When citizens and private companies do not trust government, including individuals in power, they will not cooperate.
That position has been arrived at not only in Iraq but also in the US. You must do something about it. The key word is "integrity".
Only five companies submitted bids for Iraq gas fields. Only one bid submitted for second-largest field on offer."
The reason for the low participation is clear. Drilling companies do not trust the government.
You may want to take the page from that book. When citizens and private companies do not trust government, including individuals in power, they will not cooperate.
That position has been arrived at not only in Iraq but also in the US. You must do something about it. The key word is "integrity".
Let's Stop Nation Building
EIN News says, "Afghanistan Cancels 1.3 Million Parliamentary Votes. Afghan election authorities canceled 1.3 million votes in last month's parliamentary election, nearly a quarter of the 5.6 million ballots cast, the country's top electoral officer said. (yahoo.com).
Were there 1.3 million fraudulent votes or did the election authorities fraudulently cancel 1.3 million valid votes? This will not be discernible, but it is clear that big-time fraud is involved.
Are we supposed to be educating these people to honesty? We have tremendous problems in this area ourselves.
The valid answer is we should be concentrating on our own Western interpretation of honesty in our culture. Middle East culture has been what it is for many hundreds or even thousands of years. Their interpretation of honesty is much different than in the Western world.
We will not be able to change the culture of the Afghanis. Get out of there now and leave them to resolve their own problems. If their resolution seems to lead to terrorist activities in the United States, eliminate training camps and terrorist leaders through surgical military strikes.
Were there 1.3 million fraudulent votes or did the election authorities fraudulently cancel 1.3 million valid votes? This will not be discernible, but it is clear that big-time fraud is involved.
Are we supposed to be educating these people to honesty? We have tremendous problems in this area ourselves.
The valid answer is we should be concentrating on our own Western interpretation of honesty in our culture. Middle East culture has been what it is for many hundreds or even thousands of years. Their interpretation of honesty is much different than in the Western world.
We will not be able to change the culture of the Afghanis. Get out of there now and leave them to resolve their own problems. If their resolution seems to lead to terrorist activities in the United States, eliminate training camps and terrorist leaders through surgical military strikes.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Rep. Randy Neugebauer's Newsletter
Randy,
I read your latest newsletter.
We have known for some time all the things that are wrong. We don't need to be reminded of them. We need to know what you are doing to correct them.
There is no need for you to be involved in Breast Cancer Month. That's a project for private industry. You need to start reducing the restrictions on private industry so that they can move ahead to do their jobs.
We don't need to know where you will be traveling. We already know your position on various subjects. We need to know what you're doing for corrective action.
I read your latest newsletter.
We have known for some time all the things that are wrong. We don't need to be reminded of them. We need to know what you are doing to correct them.
There is no need for you to be involved in Breast Cancer Month. That's a project for private industry. You need to start reducing the restrictions on private industry so that they can move ahead to do their jobs.
We don't need to know where you will be traveling. We already know your position on various subjects. We need to know what you're doing for corrective action.
Borrow from Muslim Countries in Order to Give Them Grants
EIN News says, "As Peace Talks Sway, Questions Arise About U.S. Influence in Mideast. With talks between Israel and the Palestinians in limbo, those in the region are wondering whether the U.S. has lost the necessary muscle to have influence on players across the Middle East. (cnn.com)".
That's probably correct. Our previous "muscle" was to persuade them not to argue by giving them money. It's a little harder to do these days. Perhaps we can borrow from the Muslim countries in order to be able to continue the grants.
That's probably correct. Our previous "muscle" was to persuade them not to argue by giving them money. It's a little harder to do these days. Perhaps we can borrow from the Muslim countries in order to be able to continue the grants.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Use Drones to Kill Insurgents
E-Mail to Congress:
EIN News says, "'German Militants' Killed in U.S. Drone Attack in Pakistan. A U.S. drone strike has killed at least five German nationals in Pakistan's tribal belt as part of a rapidly escalating covert CIA campaign targeting al-Qaida's reputed global operations hub. (guardian.co.uk)."
Great! Expand the program.
EIN News says, "'German Militants' Killed in U.S. Drone Attack in Pakistan. A U.S. drone strike has killed at least five German nationals in Pakistan's tribal belt as part of a rapidly escalating covert CIA campaign targeting al-Qaida's reputed global operations hub. (guardian.co.uk)."
Great! Expand the program.
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