The word "CHANGE", which politicians have used to alter, replenish, reverse, refurbish and transform policies, institutions and ideologies, came into use on Saturday, when the House of Representatives passed its health care reform bill. The House voted for change of a health care system that has been broken for years, and although, the bill passed by a narrow margin of 220 to 215, the occasion made for many to breathe a sigh of relief from the discordant debate that had preceded it.
President Obama praised its passage in the House and called it "historic"; adding that it marked a "courageous vote" for many representatives who risked their own political lives to vote for it. He also predicted that the United States Senate would perform its duty to pass its version of the bill; the one being proposed now by Majority Leader Harry Reid in that Chamber; and said, "And I'm absolutely confident that they will."; meaning that there would be a chance for the House bill to be reconciled with a Senate version in the future.
That would allow a final bill to pass in both chambers for him to sign into law, bringing to an end an episode of wrangling disputes and arguments from all sides about health care overhaul in the country. It was something that everybody wanted, but the approach to it has been uncertain and controversial at times.
"Change", which has become a different thing for many, because its interpretation depended on whom you talked to, was the driving force behind all the arguments that were apparent in the "reform" debate. Some wanted governmental oversight to make the system more efficient, and also more pervasive to cover millions of Americans who were uninsured; and some would rather have it (system) tweaked here and there without any interference from the outside to maintain the health care insurance industry's free enterprise outlook. So, which one was better?
However, many would agree that Saturday's vote in the House was not the perfect thing that they had anticipated; yet, it was a fervent attempt to bring into fruition of what would help individuals and families to realize their latent dreams; to have health care insurance coverage for the first time in their lives.
Though, factions of it was unacceptable (as tax payer money for abortion and the eligibility of illegal aliens for public subsidies); and also, its cost would be astronomically high, considering the fact that health care services would be extended to many more people, it would bring progress to alter a situation that has been festering for many years, in terms of strong opposition to it, in a civilized nation, as America should be, and that was unfair to millions of people..
They postulate that America must be a civilization in which all of its citizens are treated and cared for equally; and there must be no discrimination of any kind, of how they may be addressed, when it comes to political, social and even economic matters; that, of course, includes health care insurance coverage.
Their only hope is for the Senate to see through all the cobweb of imprudent politics; the obstinate pride of capitalism against government involvement in free enterprise, even for reasons to correct an unfair circumstance, and for it (the Senate) to come up with a similar bill that will take the burden of uncertainty off the shoulders of many citizens.
It will require the CHANGING of hearts and minds of many Senators to do so; and not only that, but it will be "their finest hour", as the president has said, and also in the best interest of all Americans.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
AMERICANS' PEACE OF MIND.
Americans live in a confused state these days; with health care reform, troop addition to/for/in Afghanistan, Iran's refusal to export enriched uranium and its intentions to manufacture nuclear warheads and/or bombs; and now, Islamic radicalism showing its ugly head in their midst at Fort Hood in Texas.
All these call for one thing; a national day of prayer or meditation; and it must take place in religious houses, in homes and in work places, by observing a few minutes of silence, for an atonement of some kind to descend on the whole nation, and for peace to abide in the minds of each individual person, to be able to handle these pressing issues that they, together, are faced with.
A day for that must be chosen by religious and community leaders, and even governments, Federal, State and Local, must get involved, as this is bound to have both civil and spiritual sides to it or a multiple approach to consider its implementation.
Ordinary people cannot help themselves, but allow these problems to weigh on them, notwithstanding their own personal drawbacks and difficulties, in their financial situations and social lives, for example; and they are clamoring for a relief of some sorts to come to their aid.
Politicians, doctors, and professionals of all kinds are all feeling the pinch just as well; and therefore, something needs to be done.
As a matter of fact, it seems like the whole world is feeling the same way, and nobody is sure of what is going to happen in the nearest possible future. Unrests are in progress almost everywhere; and world peace is at stake, no matter how anyone looks at it.
All groups, religious, political and social, therefore have the responsibility to bring this about; and some will say that it may not achieve anything of much significance, it will take a bit off the "heavy load" that all of us are carrying at the present moment. Americans need their peace of mind.
As for Islam or the Islamic religion, Salman Rushdie "called for a reform movement in Islam including a reinterpretation of the Quran to take it away from the "literalists"."; Article, Qur'am - Bible, Retrieved 11/07/09, 2009. Website: http://quranbible.wordpress.com/2006/10/14/salman-rushdie-islam-and-violence/
He was referring to it (Quran) as a storybook, and that some (people) have embraced its contents to be facts, which they were not. As such violence struck at its foundation, and its believers were a menace to world peace, if they followed what it said, verbatim. What happened at Fort Hood, Texas, by an Islamist fanatic, Nidal Malik Hasan, is unforgiving. It puts the peace of mind of everybody in jeopardy. A word to the wise is enough.
Our prayers, however, go to Sgt. Kimberly Munley, who stopped the worse from happening, by shooting Hasan to end the bloodshed. She, herself, was wounded; and she may not survive, according to reports.
All these call for one thing; a national day of prayer or meditation; and it must take place in religious houses, in homes and in work places, by observing a few minutes of silence, for an atonement of some kind to descend on the whole nation, and for peace to abide in the minds of each individual person, to be able to handle these pressing issues that they, together, are faced with.
A day for that must be chosen by religious and community leaders, and even governments, Federal, State and Local, must get involved, as this is bound to have both civil and spiritual sides to it or a multiple approach to consider its implementation.
Ordinary people cannot help themselves, but allow these problems to weigh on them, notwithstanding their own personal drawbacks and difficulties, in their financial situations and social lives, for example; and they are clamoring for a relief of some sorts to come to their aid.
Politicians, doctors, and professionals of all kinds are all feeling the pinch just as well; and therefore, something needs to be done.
As a matter of fact, it seems like the whole world is feeling the same way, and nobody is sure of what is going to happen in the nearest possible future. Unrests are in progress almost everywhere; and world peace is at stake, no matter how anyone looks at it.
All groups, religious, political and social, therefore have the responsibility to bring this about; and some will say that it may not achieve anything of much significance, it will take a bit off the "heavy load" that all of us are carrying at the present moment. Americans need their peace of mind.
As for Islam or the Islamic religion, Salman Rushdie "called for a reform movement in Islam including a reinterpretation of the Quran to take it away from the "literalists"."; Article, Qur'am - Bible, Retrieved 11/07/09, 2009. Website: http://quranbible.wordpress.com/2006/10/14/salman-rushdie-islam-and-violence/
He was referring to it (Quran) as a storybook, and that some (people) have embraced its contents to be facts, which they were not. As such violence struck at its foundation, and its believers were a menace to world peace, if they followed what it said, verbatim. What happened at Fort Hood, Texas, by an Islamist fanatic, Nidal Malik Hasan, is unforgiving. It puts the peace of mind of everybody in jeopardy. A word to the wise is enough.
Our prayers, however, go to Sgt. Kimberly Munley, who stopped the worse from happening, by shooting Hasan to end the bloodshed. She, herself, was wounded; and she may not survive, according to reports.
Friday, November 6, 2009
CONGRESS AND THE SWORD OF DAMOCLES.
Health Care reform still hangs over Congress like the sword of Damocles, as the House of Representatives Democrats struggle to come up with the votes for their plan which will reflect “Obama’s goals of extending health coverage to tens of millions of uninsured Americans and putting tough new restrictions on insurance companies.”
In the Senate chamber, Majority Leader Harry Reid has been encountering a stiff opposition from Republican members, urging him to postpone a vote on the Senate proposals for a plan that would inculcate into the minds of his colleagues that the idea of Public Option was an absolute necessity for a real reform of a balanced health care insurance overhaul to be achieved.
Otherwise, there would be no change whatsoever in the health care system; the situation would remain the same, when insurance companies could impose their will on it (system), and to continue to maintain their stranglehold on the health care industry.
It is true that the vote on the 10-year, $1.2 trillion legislation will be critical, as a number of members on the Democratic side are reluctant to join House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in bringing the vote count to a number that will win them the majority on the House floor. It has even been planned for President Obama to make a personal appeal to the Democratic rank and file on a special visit to Capitol Hill today, Friday (11/06/09), but it has to be put off, due to the Fort Hood crisis in Texas.
The vote is crucial, and action on the plan has been delayed, waiting for the Congressional Budget Office “to weigh in on the bill”; and although its final costs over 10 years are in the trillions, considering its dollar amount, it will provide the maximum amount of coverage up to 96% of the insured, as opposed to the “new” Republican plan that favors the insurance companies, by only providing the maximum coverage of 83% of the population.
In that plan, several millions of people will be left out, and their only recourse will be flooding the Emergency Rooms in hospitals around the country. They will be cared for, either way, so why not include them in the “new” plan now?
That question is so baffling, it boggles the mind just as much; but it also goes to show where some legislators stand in times of crisis like this one.
Trashing out the stumbling blocks, which are the abortion and the illegal alien questions, can be handled to exclude them from the bill by the use of language that will satisfy some “Blue dog” lawmakers and buffer the criticism of the opposition. Otherwise, it is high time for the bill to “fly”. It has attracted the support of the AARP and the American Medical Association, and all it requires is a few more votes that will translate it into a full-fledged legislation that can be signed into law by the president.
Remove the political sword of Damocles and allow Congress to breathe freely, to be able to bring this chapter of uncertainty in the country to a close; with the giving of votes for a resounding victory of the Democratic health care plan; at least on the House of Representatives side
The whole nation awaits its outcome on this cool, calm Friday morning; despite the Fort Hood violent incident.
P.S. To whom it may concern.
In the Senate chamber, Majority Leader Harry Reid has been encountering a stiff opposition from Republican members, urging him to postpone a vote on the Senate proposals for a plan that would inculcate into the minds of his colleagues that the idea of Public Option was an absolute necessity for a real reform of a balanced health care insurance overhaul to be achieved.
Otherwise, there would be no change whatsoever in the health care system; the situation would remain the same, when insurance companies could impose their will on it (system), and to continue to maintain their stranglehold on the health care industry.
It is true that the vote on the 10-year, $1.2 trillion legislation will be critical, as a number of members on the Democratic side are reluctant to join House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in bringing the vote count to a number that will win them the majority on the House floor. It has even been planned for President Obama to make a personal appeal to the Democratic rank and file on a special visit to Capitol Hill today, Friday (11/06/09), but it has to be put off, due to the Fort Hood crisis in Texas.
The vote is crucial, and action on the plan has been delayed, waiting for the Congressional Budget Office “to weigh in on the bill”; and although its final costs over 10 years are in the trillions, considering its dollar amount, it will provide the maximum amount of coverage up to 96% of the insured, as opposed to the “new” Republican plan that favors the insurance companies, by only providing the maximum coverage of 83% of the population.
In that plan, several millions of people will be left out, and their only recourse will be flooding the Emergency Rooms in hospitals around the country. They will be cared for, either way, so why not include them in the “new” plan now?
That question is so baffling, it boggles the mind just as much; but it also goes to show where some legislators stand in times of crisis like this one.
Trashing out the stumbling blocks, which are the abortion and the illegal alien questions, can be handled to exclude them from the bill by the use of language that will satisfy some “Blue dog” lawmakers and buffer the criticism of the opposition. Otherwise, it is high time for the bill to “fly”. It has attracted the support of the AARP and the American Medical Association, and all it requires is a few more votes that will translate it into a full-fledged legislation that can be signed into law by the president.
Remove the political sword of Damocles and allow Congress to breathe freely, to be able to bring this chapter of uncertainty in the country to a close; with the giving of votes for a resounding victory of the Democratic health care plan; at least on the House of Representatives side
The whole nation awaits its outcome on this cool, calm Friday morning; despite the Fort Hood violent incident.
P.S. To whom it may concern.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY/ THE YANKEES.
Does not the Republican Health Care plan come in far too late, after the nation has gone through such turmoil and uncertainty all summer long to endeavor to select a set of reforms that will overhaul the atrocious and somewhat condemned health care system?
Where actually have they been; to permit family against family and friends to become foes to occur at the erstwhile Townhall meetings and Tea Party gatherings?
The Democratic Party has produced several versions of plans that included Public Option, a feature that would usher in the uninsured and the people who might have pre-existing conditions. The Party has maintained that there should be no "uninsurables"; and that, at least, 96% of coverage of the population should be aimed at.
That idea has been rejected by many members of Congress on the Republican side, saying that it would be a government health care arm that would intrude into what private insurance groups were already doing. They would not want a government incursion into something that would allow outside supervision or intervention; and to attempt to curb the capitalist stronghold that the Insurance companies have had on the health care industry would not be tolorated. "No government run Insurance", they had chanted.
In other words, the status quo must remain. If so, then, have they not been speaking the same language that the Insurance corporations were, and are still using, as their advertisements show, to forestall any type of overhaul in the health care insurance industry?.
Their position is so ambiguous, it demands the question, "what have you been saying to the people you are supposed to represent all along; have you been telling them lies?" They should also ask themselves if they are for a health care reform or not, knowing fully well that the health care system is broken and needs to be fixed?
"The Congressional Budget Office says the GOP plan would cover 83 percent of eligible Americans, compared to the 96 percent the Dem plan would cover.", has appeared under a sub-headline in the media, and it definitely reminded people that the Republicans were not serious about any kind of change, or one that would be deemed as a truly universal coverage to have all citizens of the United States completely insured.
Their "new" health care plan, therefore, should only be regarded as a prototype of what the big Insurance corporations have been, and were still, advocating, and it must be thrown back at them.
YANKEES.
Hello guys; it has been a long time, since you won something for your favorite city, New York. The winning of the 2009 World Series title and the 27th baseball's highest trophy, have together been a moment that has elated the hearts, not just those of your fans, but those of the citizenry as well.
It was hard work, defeating one of the best clubs in the history of the game, the Philadephia Phillies. Congratulations to the whole Yankee organization.
P.S. Hard luck, Philadelphia; you have to wait till next year.
Where actually have they been; to permit family against family and friends to become foes to occur at the erstwhile Townhall meetings and Tea Party gatherings?
The Democratic Party has produced several versions of plans that included Public Option, a feature that would usher in the uninsured and the people who might have pre-existing conditions. The Party has maintained that there should be no "uninsurables"; and that, at least, 96% of coverage of the population should be aimed at.
That idea has been rejected by many members of Congress on the Republican side, saying that it would be a government health care arm that would intrude into what private insurance groups were already doing. They would not want a government incursion into something that would allow outside supervision or intervention; and to attempt to curb the capitalist stronghold that the Insurance companies have had on the health care industry would not be tolorated. "No government run Insurance", they had chanted.
In other words, the status quo must remain. If so, then, have they not been speaking the same language that the Insurance corporations were, and are still using, as their advertisements show, to forestall any type of overhaul in the health care insurance industry?.
Their position is so ambiguous, it demands the question, "what have you been saying to the people you are supposed to represent all along; have you been telling them lies?" They should also ask themselves if they are for a health care reform or not, knowing fully well that the health care system is broken and needs to be fixed?
"The Congressional Budget Office says the GOP plan would cover 83 percent of eligible Americans, compared to the 96 percent the Dem plan would cover.", has appeared under a sub-headline in the media, and it definitely reminded people that the Republicans were not serious about any kind of change, or one that would be deemed as a truly universal coverage to have all citizens of the United States completely insured.
Their "new" health care plan, therefore, should only be regarded as a prototype of what the big Insurance corporations have been, and were still, advocating, and it must be thrown back at them.
YANKEES.
Hello guys; it has been a long time, since you won something for your favorite city, New York. The winning of the 2009 World Series title and the 27th baseball's highest trophy, have together been a moment that has elated the hearts, not just those of your fans, but those of the citizenry as well.
It was hard work, defeating one of the best clubs in the history of the game, the Philadephia Phillies. Congratulations to the whole Yankee organization.
P.S. Hard luck, Philadelphia; you have to wait till next year.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
GOOD SHOW; MAINE VOTERS.
"The die is cast"; and the die will be cast everywhere from now on. This blog has said that to say what a great majority of Americans have always held as sacred, the institution of marriage; and of all the electioneering results, although the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial winnings by the Republican candidates have been outstanding, the most triumphant winning was the one in Maine where voters rejected a homosexual marriage law enacted by a legislature.
Many of the outcomes have been literally based on local issues, on corruption, high taxes and unemployment, as in the case of New Jersey, where millionaire governor Jon Corzine lost to a former anti-corruption state attorney Chris Christie, who had fought a grueling fight of one of the most negative prone political campaigns ever witnessed on both sides, as far as the Republican and the Democratic parties were concerned. His weight had even become part of the political profile of the important questions that voters were considering.
The two defeats, the one in Virginia and the other in New Jersey, where the Democratic Party lost, have been classified as referendums on the Obama government, as he, the president vigorously campaigned for his party's candidates; but both of them ended up losing.
Those runs were both for governorships and that dealt a crushing blow to the Democrats in general, and also forecasting an unwelcome outlook for the president to see many of his proposals, particularly on Health Care reform, to pass through Congress, as he envisaged.
In New Jersey, Christie won by 48% to 44% for Corzine; and in Virginia the margin was even greater, with the Republican Robert McDonnell gaining a whopping 58% of the votes against 41% by his opponent R. Creigh Deeds. The only slight consolation for Obama's party was the seat in New York State, where, due to certain misgivings within the Republican party, caused a democrat to be declared the winner.
The Congressional District seat there was vacant for the Republicans to grab, but the official candidate Dierdre Scozzafava dropped out for lack of support from party stalwarts, like former Governor Sarah Palin and others, who backed a third-party candidate, Conservative Doug Hoffman.
All in all, the Maine defeat for homosexual "marriage" takes the cake, as being the 31st loss for that group in every single state where the issue has been put to a popular vote. It has been given that they (homosexuals) can do whatever they want with their lives, and also that several options have been made available to them, such as "domestic partnership" and "civil union". They can take them or leave them; it is up to them.
Marriage will have no meaning, if a section of society concogted some foolish idea that same sexes can get married to each other, and that will not have a bad effect on life as we all know it, that section has another thing coming. Homosexuals and their "loving" their members, in itself, is no big deal; but they can only do so within their own privacy, just as heterosexuals do. They can also get involved in the options open to them.
Please, do not attempt to destroy marriage between one man and one woman. It is sacred and it is God given. (It is also Nature approved). The die is cast, once again. Good show, Maine voters. BRAVO!!!!
Many of the outcomes have been literally based on local issues, on corruption, high taxes and unemployment, as in the case of New Jersey, where millionaire governor Jon Corzine lost to a former anti-corruption state attorney Chris Christie, who had fought a grueling fight of one of the most negative prone political campaigns ever witnessed on both sides, as far as the Republican and the Democratic parties were concerned. His weight had even become part of the political profile of the important questions that voters were considering.
The two defeats, the one in Virginia and the other in New Jersey, where the Democratic Party lost, have been classified as referendums on the Obama government, as he, the president vigorously campaigned for his party's candidates; but both of them ended up losing.
Those runs were both for governorships and that dealt a crushing blow to the Democrats in general, and also forecasting an unwelcome outlook for the president to see many of his proposals, particularly on Health Care reform, to pass through Congress, as he envisaged.
In New Jersey, Christie won by 48% to 44% for Corzine; and in Virginia the margin was even greater, with the Republican Robert McDonnell gaining a whopping 58% of the votes against 41% by his opponent R. Creigh Deeds. The only slight consolation for Obama's party was the seat in New York State, where, due to certain misgivings within the Republican party, caused a democrat to be declared the winner.
The Congressional District seat there was vacant for the Republicans to grab, but the official candidate Dierdre Scozzafava dropped out for lack of support from party stalwarts, like former Governor Sarah Palin and others, who backed a third-party candidate, Conservative Doug Hoffman.
All in all, the Maine defeat for homosexual "marriage" takes the cake, as being the 31st loss for that group in every single state where the issue has been put to a popular vote. It has been given that they (homosexuals) can do whatever they want with their lives, and also that several options have been made available to them, such as "domestic partnership" and "civil union". They can take them or leave them; it is up to them.
Marriage will have no meaning, if a section of society concogted some foolish idea that same sexes can get married to each other, and that will not have a bad effect on life as we all know it, that section has another thing coming. Homosexuals and their "loving" their members, in itself, is no big deal; but they can only do so within their own privacy, just as heterosexuals do. They can also get involved in the options open to them.
Please, do not attempt to destroy marriage between one man and one woman. It is sacred and it is God given. (It is also Nature approved). The die is cast, once again. Good show, Maine voters. BRAVO!!!!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
MANY SUGGESTIONS FOR OBAMA.
AFGHANISTAN.
Of all the suggestions of the United States reverting to any other forms of strategies in fighting the Taliban and its allied guest Al Qaeda, the Senator John Kerry's advise to get tribal leaders' cooperation and the support of the Afghans, instead of boosting up troop levels, and the recent resignation of Matthew Hoh, a senior civilian official in Afghanistan, over U.S. policy to be altered, among others; none has any feature that has been amiss in the overall strategies that have been applied since the Bush administration, in regard to the war that started in that country, soon after the 9/11 attacks on Washington, D.C., and New York City.
Those features, as the outsourcing of social plans to involve tribal leaders and their people; and working to gain their support by encouraging them to have a legitimate government and a strong modern military that would be operational under Afghan officers and servicemen, have always been part of U.S. policies there.
Therefore there is nothing new in the suggestions that many of these people are now putting out for the Obama government to utilize.
The suggestions had mentioned the risk of the deployment of troops, and the expense to be incurred by the U.S., as the former Marine (Hoh) had said; that, "It will take decades and billions of dollars to achieve success in Afghanistan." and the Senator's statement that, "McChrystal's plan is too ambitious."; however, those (suggestions) could not be stressed more convincingly enough by previous State Department and other government officials that have visited or stationed in that part of the world before; as well as from the reports of many military generals that have been engaged in the war there.
Such programs, regarding the building of political, social and governmental institutions, have been ongoing for all those years that the previous administration was engaged in all kinds of activities there; or since the war to curb the Taliban influence to create an Islamic regime and impose Sharia Law on the population; as well as the search for Usama Bin Ladin, the individual, who had planned and funded the 9/11 attacks. All that have been inclusive in U.S. policies for Afghanistan.
In other words, since the war started, America has pursued a unique aim, geared to contain the country, politically and otherwise (economically and socially), and to obtain the security for that region by disallowing a Taliban takeover.
It (America) has also had its own national security to consider; and that if there was a stable government in Afghanistan, the better it would be for peace there, and for that of its neighbors, like Pakistan and India, who were America's allies.
Therefore, nothing new could be derived from those suggestions, mentioned elsewhere by Sen. Kerry and Mr. Hoh; and there should be nothing said to undermine U.S. future plans, of which Gen. Stanley McChrystal's mission was part, for success to be achieved in Afghanistan. Unless the idea was to suggest a complete pullout of all U.S and allied troops; and even that would not solve any problems.
IRAN.
The intransigence of Iran is so thick, one can cut it with a knife; as its attitude leaves much to be desired, now that the rogue regime is reneging on its promise to send a majority of its enriched uranium stockpile out of that country to be transformed into fuel for its nuclear reactors.
It was buying ready-made fuel, meaning that the exporting of almost 80% of its enriched uranium to Russia would not come about. "This came as IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei said Monday that Iran must respond to IAEA queries about its nuclear program, and be "forthcoming" in its response to an IAEA fuel proposal.", media news reports were saying.
President Obama must turn his attention to that issue as well, and to seriously remind Iran of the consequences of its refusal to do what it (Iran) has agreed upon, during the recent meetings in Vienna, Prague. Its action or inaction would affect the peace in that region and that of the world.
Take heed, Iran.
Of all the suggestions of the United States reverting to any other forms of strategies in fighting the Taliban and its allied guest Al Qaeda, the Senator John Kerry's advise to get tribal leaders' cooperation and the support of the Afghans, instead of boosting up troop levels, and the recent resignation of Matthew Hoh, a senior civilian official in Afghanistan, over U.S. policy to be altered, among others; none has any feature that has been amiss in the overall strategies that have been applied since the Bush administration, in regard to the war that started in that country, soon after the 9/11 attacks on Washington, D.C., and New York City.
Those features, as the outsourcing of social plans to involve tribal leaders and their people; and working to gain their support by encouraging them to have a legitimate government and a strong modern military that would be operational under Afghan officers and servicemen, have always been part of U.S. policies there.
Therefore there is nothing new in the suggestions that many of these people are now putting out for the Obama government to utilize.
The suggestions had mentioned the risk of the deployment of troops, and the expense to be incurred by the U.S., as the former Marine (Hoh) had said; that, "It will take decades and billions of dollars to achieve success in Afghanistan." and the Senator's statement that, "McChrystal's plan is too ambitious."; however, those (suggestions) could not be stressed more convincingly enough by previous State Department and other government officials that have visited or stationed in that part of the world before; as well as from the reports of many military generals that have been engaged in the war there.
Such programs, regarding the building of political, social and governmental institutions, have been ongoing for all those years that the previous administration was engaged in all kinds of activities there; or since the war to curb the Taliban influence to create an Islamic regime and impose Sharia Law on the population; as well as the search for Usama Bin Ladin, the individual, who had planned and funded the 9/11 attacks. All that have been inclusive in U.S. policies for Afghanistan.
In other words, since the war started, America has pursued a unique aim, geared to contain the country, politically and otherwise (economically and socially), and to obtain the security for that region by disallowing a Taliban takeover.
It (America) has also had its own national security to consider; and that if there was a stable government in Afghanistan, the better it would be for peace there, and for that of its neighbors, like Pakistan and India, who were America's allies.
Therefore, nothing new could be derived from those suggestions, mentioned elsewhere by Sen. Kerry and Mr. Hoh; and there should be nothing said to undermine U.S. future plans, of which Gen. Stanley McChrystal's mission was part, for success to be achieved in Afghanistan. Unless the idea was to suggest a complete pullout of all U.S and allied troops; and even that would not solve any problems.
IRAN.
The intransigence of Iran is so thick, one can cut it with a knife; as its attitude leaves much to be desired, now that the rogue regime is reneging on its promise to send a majority of its enriched uranium stockpile out of that country to be transformed into fuel for its nuclear reactors.
It was buying ready-made fuel, meaning that the exporting of almost 80% of its enriched uranium to Russia would not come about. "This came as IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei said Monday that Iran must respond to IAEA queries about its nuclear program, and be "forthcoming" in its response to an IAEA fuel proposal.", media news reports were saying.
President Obama must turn his attention to that issue as well, and to seriously remind Iran of the consequences of its refusal to do what it (Iran) has agreed upon, during the recent meetings in Vienna, Prague. Its action or inaction would affect the peace in that region and that of the world.
Take heed, Iran.
Monday, November 2, 2009
A DECISION BY THE PRESIDENT.
The situation in Kabul is very unsettling and rather confusing under the present political circumstances, as the main opponent to the Karzai government has decided not to participate in the runoff presidential election in Afghanistan.
The country's election commission has canceled Saturday's presidential runoff election and proclaimed "President Hamid Karzai the victor of the war ravaged nation's tumultuous ballot.", and "Independent Election Commission chairman Azizullah Lodin announced Karzai as the victor during a news conference in Kabul on Monday.", according to media news reports.
That must have caused the White House to assess its approach to Karzai' s position, as he has now been declared "victor", and for a readjustment of its (WH) policies that have been suspended due to the runoff election, toward his government. Now that Abdullah Abdullah has withdrawn, he Karzai has to be the only person to deal with.
Yet, other aspects of the situation in Afghanistan have to come under tougher consideration, particularly for the fact that the war against the Taliban insurgency continued; and that the United States top military commanding officer conducting the strategies, with respect to the war, has made a request for more troops into that country.
President Obama has had that request reviewed, first, by himself, and then with the National Security Council, and other senior advisers and experts; and it remained for him to decide on whether the general's demand should be granted.
There is no doubt that more troops are required to sustain the Afghan war effort; but much of the opinion expressed by the advisers and experts to the president seems to be at variance with what the general and his commanders on the ground are asking for, and that continues to create a stalemate of sorts.
Some were waiting for a result to come out of the runoff election, and some were concluding that lesser number of troops were needed; and that debate has been going on in the Situation Room in the White House and elsewhere.
However, the runoff election has been canceled, and a new counterinsurgency plan against the Taliban and Al Qeada militants was still waiting to be implemented; the question still remained as to when a definite decision that would culminate into real action would be made by the president, so that the insurgents, who have already been emboldened by the length of time that was taking the U.S., judging from the number of casualties that were suffered in October, on meeting the general's demand.
Most Americans are not interfering with what their government is likely to do in confronting the enemy responsible for the 9/11 attacks; but they are committed to supporting their own troops, who are ready, willing and able to win the war in Afghanistan; and therefore they can only wait for a firm decision to be made by the Obama government; and the sooner the better.
The country's election commission has canceled Saturday's presidential runoff election and proclaimed "President Hamid Karzai the victor of the war ravaged nation's tumultuous ballot.", and "Independent Election Commission chairman Azizullah Lodin announced Karzai as the victor during a news conference in Kabul on Monday.", according to media news reports.
That must have caused the White House to assess its approach to Karzai' s position, as he has now been declared "victor", and for a readjustment of its (WH) policies that have been suspended due to the runoff election, toward his government. Now that Abdullah Abdullah has withdrawn, he Karzai has to be the only person to deal with.
Yet, other aspects of the situation in Afghanistan have to come under tougher consideration, particularly for the fact that the war against the Taliban insurgency continued; and that the United States top military commanding officer conducting the strategies, with respect to the war, has made a request for more troops into that country.
President Obama has had that request reviewed, first, by himself, and then with the National Security Council, and other senior advisers and experts; and it remained for him to decide on whether the general's demand should be granted.
There is no doubt that more troops are required to sustain the Afghan war effort; but much of the opinion expressed by the advisers and experts to the president seems to be at variance with what the general and his commanders on the ground are asking for, and that continues to create a stalemate of sorts.
Some were waiting for a result to come out of the runoff election, and some were concluding that lesser number of troops were needed; and that debate has been going on in the Situation Room in the White House and elsewhere.
However, the runoff election has been canceled, and a new counterinsurgency plan against the Taliban and Al Qeada militants was still waiting to be implemented; the question still remained as to when a definite decision that would culminate into real action would be made by the president, so that the insurgents, who have already been emboldened by the length of time that was taking the U.S., judging from the number of casualties that were suffered in October, on meeting the general's demand.
Most Americans are not interfering with what their government is likely to do in confronting the enemy responsible for the 9/11 attacks; but they are committed to supporting their own troops, who are ready, willing and able to win the war in Afghanistan; and therefore they can only wait for a firm decision to be made by the Obama government; and the sooner the better.
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