Readers of this space know that this Canuck is an admirer of President Obama. An easy call even if the President did not possess his many admirable qualities, given the sad state of his opposition, with knee-jerk abysmalism, and an always tried, never true policy of ‘well, shit, we’re not him’ its ragged, pathetic battle cry.… [Read more]
The first thing I want to do is list our foreign policy successes in the Middle East over the last 20 years.
1.
2.
3.… [Read more]
All who serve this nation overseas do not wear uniforms. State Department Foreign Service officer Anne Smedinghoff, 25, was one of five Americans killed by a car bomb blast in Afghanistan Saturday.
She served her nation with distinction.
Not all who give their lives are trained warriors. The four U.S. soldiers who also made the ultimate sacrifice in the attack were likely well armed.… [Read more]
The inimitable Bob Marley said it best: “We don’t need trouble, what we need is love.” This week’s “Say It In Song” pick feels appropriate in light of recent news about chemical weapons in Syria and threats from North Korea directed towards military bases. At least there was some talk of peace this week, even it was purely symbolic.… [Read more]
Today’s “Say It In Song” post is an oldie but goodie from The Temptations.
“…Just a Ball of Confusion
Oh yeah, that’s what the world is today…”
With uprisings, voter suppression efforts, the threat of war, racial and ethnic tensions, and a widening wealth gap between the haves and have-nots it seems “ball of confusion” is an accurate description.… [Read more]
In an ongoing effort to bring a semblance of armistice in the region the United Nations is sponsoring a conference to establish a nuclear-free Middle East. The conference which is scheduled to take place the end of this year or beginning of 2013 in Finland is to be attended by all states in the region. All states, except for Israel of course.… [Read more]
All over the world, from Morocco to Indonesia, the Muslim world is protesting and rioting in the wake of a disturbing anti-Muslim film, produced by the misguided, for who knows what reason. When you look at the problem it sounds so simple, so unbelievable to the average American: people rioting, killing and storming American embassies because someone disrespected the prophet Muhammad.… [Read more]
NOTE: Poet e.e. cummings had an alter ego, a cockroach which would bang out poems at night on cummings’ typewriter. At the risk of being diagnosed with delusions of grandeur, I must defer this week to my own alter ego, “Good Lil’ Army Wife.” Don’t let the name fool you. If you haven’t been a military spouse, her rants may not be your cup of tea.… [Read more]
“In the title of my talk on a world without war, I have posed two questions: is it desirable? And, is it feasible? After the many millions of lives lost in the two World Wars of the last century, a world without war is assuredly most desirable…not only is a war-free world desirable; it is now necessary, it is essential, if humankind is to survive…humankind has acquired the technical means to destroy its own species and to accomplish this, deliberately or inadvertently, in a single action.… [Read more]
Can’t we all just get along? Sometimes Progressives disagree; that’s human nature. But we need to learn to do so without being disagreeable. We need not concern ourselves with the divisiveness the Republicans appear to be going through. It’s time we got OUR house in order! Re-electing our President to a second term is the common goal that should unite us.… [Read more]
If you smile at me, I will understand ‘Cause that is something everybody everywhere does in the same language.
The United States has been a nation at war since October 7th, 2001. It started with Operation Enduring Freedom, which continues on to this very day.
I can see by your coat, my friend, you’re from the other side.… [Read more]
This message was sent by President Obama today:
Early this morning, the last of our troops left Iraq.
As we honor and reflect on the sacrifices that millions of men and women made for this war, I wanted to make sure you heard the news.
Bringing this war to a responsible end was a cause that sparked many Americans to get involved in the political process for the first time.… [Read more]
The last two episodes of “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” that I saw really got to me. Both started with rapes – one particularly violent and disturbing because it took place in a mental hospital.
Maybe I’ve lost my spine because, lately, I’m having trouble looking at such things — and that means I can’t tolerate a lot of television these days.… [Read more]
Polls have said for several years that the majority of Americans are against the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. We’re still a long away from peace but, for many, President Obama’s announcement that the troops will be pulled out of Iraq to come home in time for the holidays was a welcome announcement. Of course, we all know you can’t please everyone….… [Read more]
A friend asked me if I believe it when I hear people say “America is broke“. Like anyone who has ever planned or read a budget, I know that numbers are data — but that data means something only when it is translated into information that tells a story…so, with hard and cold numbers, is it possible that the answer to the question as to whether or not America is broke can be both ‘yes’ and ‘no’? … [Read more]
By now everyone has heard the news that Osama Bin Laden was shot and killed by U.S. Navy Seals in a covert operation. The nation’s “Public Enemy #1″ is dead and it has been reported that a respectful Muslim burial took place at sea.I’m posting to give kudos to President Obama. Why? Because if anything at all had gone wrong then he would have all of the blame laid at his feet so I think that as Commander in Chief a little credit is due…not that you would know it based on commentary coming from the right.… [Read more]
Why is it that when it comes to fighting, we can always find the money? Soup kitchens, winter heating oil for seniors, Head Start for kids, national public radio (NPR) — all are on the chopping block but weapons and the military budget is a subject that is damn near untouchable? Calling it out for being a huge waste is considered unpatriotic by the hawkish among us.… [Read more]
What’s Happening, Brother?
For the inaugural post in the ‘Say It In Song’ category, BorderlessNewsandViews.com thinks that this classic release from 1971 is appropriate: Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”. With ongoing protests about war, inequality, economic strife and control by so few over so many, Marvin Gaye’s timeless classic asked this question 40 years ago — but this song is as relevant today as it was then.… [Read more]