GOVERNMENTS, FREEDOM AND TERRORISM

AVITW      
I SEE WHERE A MINOR LANDLOCKED NATION IN THE CONTINENT OF SOUTH AMERICA HAS “ELECTED” ANOTHER “LIBERATOR” OF THE OPPRESSED AND DOWNTRODDEN, IF ONE IS TO BELIEVE THE HYPE.  THROUGHOUT HISTORY, THOSE SEEKING TO REPLACE AN EXISTING GOVERNMENT WITH THEIR VERSION, E.G. FROM WANNABE "DICTATORS" ON THE RIGHT TO WANNABE "DICTATORS" ON THE LEFT, DO SO IN THE NAME OF "FREEDOM" FROM THE EXISTING "OPPRESSORS", BE THEY REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS, CONSERVATIVES OR LIBERALS, RELIGIOUS EMIRS OR SECULAR ATHEISTS OR FOREIGN INTERLOPERS. SHOULD ONE CARE TO INVESTIGATE THIS PHENOMENON, ONE NEED LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THE VARIOUS COUNTRIES, IN NAME IF NOT REALITY, IN THE CONTINENT OF SOUTH AFRICA, WHICH NOW POPULATE THE NON-UNITED NATIONS SEEKING HANDOUTS TO SUSTAIN THEIR PRESENT FORM OF NON-VIABLE NATIONHOOD, WHILE ATTACKING, VERBALLY, IF NOT LITERALLY, THE NATIONS, INSTITUTIONS AND CORPORATIONS WHICH PROVIDE THIS LARGESSE.  ONE IS REMINDED OF THE UNGRATEFUL ANIMAL THAT BIT THE HAND THAT FED HIM OR THOSE WHO KILLED THE AVIAN THAT PROVIDED A DAILY GOLDEN EGG. ONE WONDERS AT THE COLLECTIVE LACK OF WISDOM THAT THESE PROVIDERS EXHIBIT, BUT THAT IS ANOTHER TOPIC.
     
TO SUCCEED, THESE SELF-ANOINTED LATTER DAY SAINTS MUST GATHER THE MALCONTENTS, MOSTLY OF THE "HAVE NOT" VARIETY, AND CONVINCE THEM THAT THEY WILL HAVE A BETTER LIFE IF THEY WILL SACRIFICE THEIRS, FIGURATIVELY OR LITERALLY, FOR THE "CAUSE", A CATCH TWENTY-TWO, IF EVER THERE WAS ONE.  GIVEN THAT THESE UNSOPHISTICATED, UNEDUCATED AND GENERALLY NAÏVE INDIVIDUALS, NOT UNLIKE THE SMALL CHILDREN WHO ARE ENTICED INTO DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WITH THE PROMISE OF CANDY OR SOME SMALL APPEAL TO THEIR BETTER NATURE LIKE FINDING A LOST PUPPY, ARE EASILY MANIPULATED, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THIS IS A RELATIVELY EASY PROCESS.
     
SINCE EXISTING FORMS OF GOVERNMENT GENERALLY DO NOT GO QUIETLY INTO THE NIGHT, GREAT EXPENDITURES OF TIME, MONEY, ENERGY AND LIVES (OF BOTH MALCONTENTS AND OPPORTUNISTS, WHETHER THE RESULT IS DEATH OR SIMPLY PREEMPTING OTHERWISE PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES OF INDIVIDUALS WHO SEEM TO HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO) ARE SACRIFICED EITHER ON A REGULAR BASIS, AS IN ELECTIONS, OR AS IS DEEMED OPPORTUNE BY ONE FACTION SEEKING TO IMPOSE THEIR "WAY OF LIFE" ON THOSE "LESS FORTUNATE SOULS" FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT, OF COURSE.  THE VICTIMS ARE UNIVERSALLY THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN THE LIGHT AS VIEWED BY THE PROSPECTIVE OPPRESSORS. THAT THIS SEEMS TO PARALLEL THE PRACTICES WITHIN VARIOUS RELIGIONS SEEMS IRONIC, BUT I DIGRESS.
     
TO THE EXISTING GOVERNMENTS, THOSE WHO SEEK CHANGE, OR AT LEAST THE RIGHT TO LIVE THEIR LIVES MARGINALLY FREE OF THE DICTATES OF THE GOVERNMENT WITH WHICH THEY TAKE UMBRAGE, ARE SEEN AS MORTAL ENEMIES AND MUST BE SO LABELED, DEMONIZED AND DESTROYED IN ORDER TO "PROTECT" THE EXISTING OPPRESSORS.  NAMES LIKE HUNS, INFIDELS, TRAITORS AND TERRORISTS AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS THAT DON’T BELIEVE IN INTELLIGENT CREATION, OR WHO DO BELIEVE IN INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES WITH RESPECT TO ABORTION AND END OF LIFE ISSUES, COME TO MIND.
     
I SEE WHERE POTUS BUSH THE SECOND IS AGAIN TELLING THE PUBLIC WHY WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO SUPPORT HIS WAR ON "TERRORISTS", NEE, THE COUNTRY OF IRAQ, WHICH WAS, OR SHOULD HAVE BEEN, RENDERED INCAPABLE OF BEING ANY VIABLE THREAT TO OUR NATION’S SECURITY IN A MATTER OF WEEKS AND AT MINIMAL COST.  IT IS NOT AS THOUGH WE HAVEN'T HEARD THIS BEFORE. STILL, ONE DOES NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DANGER TO FREEDOM FROM TERRORISTS OF "ALL PERSUASIONS" TO CITIZENS OF ALL COUNTRIES, BE THEY IN THE LOST CONTINENT OF AFRICA, THE DISTANT ISLES OF THE PACIFIC OR AMONG THE MAJOR ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL POWERS AROUND THE WORLD.
     
PERHAPS, IT WOULD BE WELL TO IDENTIFY TERRORISTS AND THEIR "MODUS OPERANDI". UNFORTUNATELY, THAT HAS NOT BEEN CLEARLY STATED AND MAY NOT, IN FACT, BE POSSIBLE. ANY SUB-HUMAN BEING, OR GROUP OF THAT ILK, (IF BEING HUMAN MEANS ACCEPTING, OR AT LEAST TOLERATING, DIFFERENCES AND LIVING PEACEFULLY WITH OTHERS OF THE SAME SPECIES) WITH SUFFICIENT RESOURCES, BE IT A CLUB, SPEAR OR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, CAN AND DO TERRORIZE OTHERS WITHOUT THE STRENGTH OR WILL TO RESIST. THE NAME "TERRORIST" NEEDS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED IN ITS BROADEST SENSE AS DOES THE FACT THAT ALL TERRORISTS DO NOT WEAR MASKS AND CARRY LETHAL WEAPONS, BUT MAY BE FOUND IN THE HALLS OF POWER WEARING SUITS, DRESSES, ROBES OR OTHER FORMS OF CULTURAL DRESS. ANYONE WHO SEEKS TO IMPOSE THEIR WILL ON OTHERS BY THE USE OF FORCE OR DECEPTION SEEMS TO FIT THE GENRE, BY DEFINITION, REGARDLESS OF THE METHODS EMPLOYED.
     
WHAT SEEMS TO WORRY THE POWERS THAT BE MOST ARE THOSE WHO WOULD REPLACE THE EXISTING FORMS OF GOVERNMENT OPPRESSION WITH THEIR OWN BRAND. A SECONDARY PREOCCUPATION CONCERNS THOSE WHO REFUSE TO PAY TRIBUTE AND/OR ABIDE BY THE EXISTING "RULES". FORTUNATELY, IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THOSE IN POWER TO GAIN MUCH SUPPORT FOR A WAR AGAINST ALL WHO DISAGREE WITH THE PRESENT POLICIES OF A GIVEN FORM OF GOVERNMENT THOUGH "POLICE ACTIONS" SEEM TO BE COMING INTO VOGUE. LABELING THOSE WHO WANT CHANGE AS TERRORISTS, INSURGENTS, A CULT, HIPPIES, REBELS, CRIMINALS, UNENLIGHTENED, OR A SPLINTER GROUP, AS NOTED ABOVE, IS DEEMED A STARTING POINT.
     
ONE SUPPOSES THAT THE GOOD KING GEORGE (OF ENGLAND) PROBABLY LABELED THE GOOD GENERAL GEORGE (OF THE COLONIES) AS SUCH A "PERSON OF INTEREST" AND THE COLONISTS AS A GROUP OF “INSURGENTS” WHEN THESE MALCONTENTS REFUSED TO PAY TAX ON THEIR TEA. OF COURSE, THIS IS REPUTED TO HAVE LED TO CERTAIN TERRORIST ACTS IN THE STILL "UNPROTECTED HARBORS” OF OUR NATION.  HISTORICALLY, THE OUTCOME OF A CONFRONTATION GENERALLY DETERMINES WHETHER THE THREAT TO THE STATUS QUO (TERRORISTS BEING THE OPERANT WORD TODAY) HAS BEEN DESTROYED OR WHETHER THE AFOREMENTIONED INSURGENTS ARE SUBSEQUENTLY DEFINED AS PATRIOTS, HEROES AND MARTYRS.
     
IN TIMES PAST, THE IDENTITIES OF SUCH THREATS WERE GENERALLY WELL KNOWN. THE LEADERS GATHERED TOGETHER THEIR CLAN, THEIR SPEARS AND CLUBS, FASHIONED A BANNER OF SORTS, TRUMPED UP SOME PRETEXT FOR ATTACK, BE IT THE HONOR OF HELEN, THE CRUSADES, THE GULF OF TONKIN, OR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, AND, CLAIMING THE BLESSING OF GOD, THE EMPEROR OR ALLAH, MARCHED OFF TO CONQUER SOME DEFINED POPULATION, E.G. KILL, MAIM AND SUBJUGATE THOSE UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO DEFEND THEMSELVES. IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT THESE SAME LEADERS WERE MORE THAN A LITTLE RELUCTANT TO ATTACK THOSE ABLE AND WILLING TO GIVE A GOOD ACCOUNT OF THEMSELVES DESPITE THE SAME PROVOCATION. THE AUTHOR IS REMINDED OF THE UNWRITTEN CODE OF THE PLAYGROUND BULLY.
     
ABOUT THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IN MODERN SOCIETY AND THE WOULD BE CONQUERORS OF THE PAST IS THE FACT THAT MODERN DAY  "LEADERS" ON BOTH SIDES, NOW INSULATE THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS FROM THE ACTUAL CONFLICT AND SEND OTHERS TO DO THE FIGHTING AND DYING. THE ANCIENT CLASSIFICATION OF COWARD CAME TO MIND, BUT IT IS OBVIOUSLY MORE PRUDENT FOR THOSE IN POWER TO SEND OTHERS TO DO THEIR DIRTY WORK, SO I GUESS THERE HAS BEEN SOME "PROGRESS" IN STRATEGIC THINKING.
     
HAD LORD NELSON OR ALEXANDER THE GREAT ACQUIRED SUCH FORESIGHT, THEY MIGHT HAVE ENJOYED A QUIET AND LUXURIOUS RETIREMENT AS DID STALIN, IDI AMIN, AND L.B.J., AMONG COUNTLESS OTHERS. OF COURSE, THE WORLD MIGHT BE A FAR MORE PEACEFUL PLACE, IF THE LEADERS WHO DECLARE WAR AND THEIR FAMILIES WERE REQUIRED TO TAKE UP ARMS AND LEAD THE TROOPS INTO BATTLE. AT THAT POINT, EVEN THE AUTHOR MIGHT GIVE SOME CREDENCE TO THE PURPORTED NEED TO ATTACK THE LATEST “WANNABE OPPRESSOR” IN ORDER TO DEFEND WHATEVER FREEDOMS EXIST WITHIN THE GIVEN FORM OF GOVERNMENT.
     
THERE IS ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE A BREAKING POINT BEYOND WHICH THE POPULACE OF ANY COUNTRY WILL CEASE TO TOLERATE THE IMPOSITION OF GOVERNMENT DECREES AND WILL ACTIVELY WORK TO THROW THE SCOUNDRELS OUT BY WHATEVER MEANS ARE AVAILABLE, BE IT THE BALLOT BOX, THE NON-VIOLENT REBELLION OF GANDHI, OR THE VIOLENT OVERTHROW OF THE KINGS AND CZARS OF YORE, AS IS WONT TO HAPPEN WITH THE PETTY TYRANTS IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES TODAY.


WHEN COMPARED TO THE TEA TAX, IT IS INCREDIBLE TO THE AUTHOR THAT PRESENT CITIZENS HAVE BECOME SO COMPLACENT AS TO PERMIT THE ONEROUS TAXATION AND REPRESSION OF PRIVATE CONDUCT IN THIS COUNTRY OVER THE PAST HALF CENTURY. ONE COULD CONSTRUCT A LENGTHY TOME ON THE CURTAILMENT OF FORMER “FREEDOMS” WITHIN OUR OWN SOCIETY.  THAT IS NOT TO IMPLY THAT SOME OF THESE FREEDOMS MIGHT WELL HAVE BEEN COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO THE WELFARE OF SOME SEGMENTS OF THE POPULATION, NOR THAT A SOCIETY SHOULD NOT EXAMINE ITS PRESENT VALUES AND BELIEFS IN THE LIGHT OF NEW KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING.  HOWEVER, IT IS THOUGHT THAT A NUMBER OF THESE CONSTRAINTS BEAR LITTLE RESEMBLANCE TO REASON AND FALL MORE IN THE CATEGORY OF “DOING IT BECAUSE I CAN”.
     
GIVEN THE PRESENT WAR ON TERRORISM, IT IS NOT DIFFICULT TO ARGUE THAT IT WAS ILL CONCEIVED, POORLY EXECUTED AND FAILED IN ITS STATED PURPOSE, E.G. TO FIND THE TERRORISTS AND/OR DESTROY WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, AS I REMEMBER. IT IS NOW BEING JUSTIFIED ON SOME RATHER FLIMSY PRETEXTS OF BRINGING FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY TO THE WORLD, BEGINNING WITH IRAQ.  TO THE DETACHED OBSERVER, THE "FOOT SOLDIERS" WHO ACTUALLY ATTACKED THE UNITED STATES HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH, TO THE EXTENT THAT HUMAN EXISTENCE PERMITS, ALBEIT OF THEIR OWN CHOOSING. THOSE THAT SUPPORTED THEM SEEM TO BE STRANGELY ABSENT FROM THE DOCKETS OF THE UNITED STATES OR WORLD COURTS, AND THE KILLING CONTINUES APACE, WITH BOTH SIDES CLAIMING TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT AS MANDATED BY GOD OR ALLAH, DEPENDING ON WHOM IS INTERPRETING THE ALMIGHTY.
     
LIKE THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE ARABS AND THE JEWS, NEITHER SIDE IS WINNING, NOR CAN THEY, UNTIL ONE OR THE OTHER CAPITULATES. THE AUTHOR HAS LITTLE USE FOR SENSELESS KILLING OVER MEANINGLESS REAL ESTATE, UNLESS, OF COURSE, ONE BELIEVES THAT GOD, OR ALLAH, RESIDES IN THIS OR THAT PILE OF RUBBLE. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT IT IS FAR BETTER TO EXAMINE WHAT LIES IN THE HEARTS AND SOULS OF HUMANS.
     
GOVERNMENT, HAVING FAILED TO CLEARLY IDENTIFY THE SOURCES OF DANGER AND HAVING FAILED TO LOCATE A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THESE SUB-HUMANS, OR TO SUMMARILY DEAL WITH THOSE WHO WERE APPREHENDED, HAVE LEFT THE VICTIMS, BE THEY IN BOSNIA, BAGHDAD, KOSOVO OR NEW YORK TO WATCH IN TOTAL FRUSTRATION AND CONTEMPT, A WAR OF WORDS BETWEEN SLICK LEGAL ENTITIES IN A PLETHORA OF JUDICIAL CARNIVALS.  ONE LONGS FOR THE PREVIOUS “LAW OF THE OLD WEST”, WHERE THE GUILTY WERE GIVEN A FAIR TRIAL AND IMMEDIATELY HANGED.  WERE IT NOT FOR THE TRAGIC REALITIES OF THE CRIMES, THE JUDICIAL CARNIVALS WOULD BE NOT SO GREAT FODDER FOR AN ENDLESS MINISERIES. IN EFFECT, THE CIVILIZED WORLD NOW GIVES AID AND COMFORT (ENCOURAGEMENT?) TO THOSE WHO WOULD DESTROY IT.
     
WHAT IS OCCURRING IN THE VARIOUS COURTS AROUND THE WORLD ONCE AGAIN EMPHASIZES THE SELF-IMPOSED, BUT QUITE PROFITABLE, LEGAL IMPOTENCE OF SOCIETY AGAINST THOSE WHO WOULD CREATE CHAOS IN THE WORLD. ONE MAY HAVE INFINITE PATIENCE WITH THE INCOMPETENCE AND BUNGLING OF VARIOUS BUREAUCRATS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, WHO’S PRIMARY INTEREST OBVIOUSLY LIES IN FEATHERING THEIR OWN NESTS, RATHER THAN SERVING THEIR CONSTITUENCIES (THE GENERAL POPULATION) IRRESPECTIVE OF THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT, HOWEVER, WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP OF "TERRORISTS" BEGIN TO ANNIHILATE OTHERS THROUGH THE USE OF EXPLOSIVES, ABC WARFARE, STARVATION, INTIMIDATION THROUGH MURDER, RAPE AND TORTURE, OR THREATS THEREOF, PERHAPS IT IS TIME TO CALL THESE PERPETRATORS TO ACCOUNT FOR THEIR ACTIONS WITH CONSIDERABLY LESS CONCERN FOR THE "NICETIES" OF CIVILIZATION. DOES VIGILANTE JUSTICE SEEM TOO EXTREME?
     
INSOFAR AS THE AUTHOR KNOWS, NO ONE HAS APPOINTED ONE POPULATION TO INTERVENE IN THE CHOICES AND TRIBULATIONS OF OTHER POPULATIONS. UNFORTUNATELY, THE FARCE THAT EVOLVED IN NEW YORK FOLLOWING WORLD WAR II, WHERE WE ESSENTIALLY HAVE THE FOXES WATCHING THE CHICKENS IN THE NAME OF WORLD ORDER, OFFERS LITTLE HOPE FOR DEALING WITH THESE SUB-HUMANS, BE THEY OUTSIDE THE NOMINAL GOVERNMENTS, OR INSIDE, AS SEEMS TO BE THE CASE IN ANY NUMBER OF GOVERNMENTS, NOT EXCLUSIVELY LIMITED TO THE THIRD WORLD VARIETY.
     
APOLOGISTS FOR THE EXISTING DILEMMA, CORRECTLY CITE THE TRUISM THAT THOSE WHO HAVE NO CONCERN FOR THEIR OWN SURVIVAL HAVE THE ABILITY TO WREAK HAVOC ON OTHERS. HOWEVER, THERE ARE THOSE IN VIET NAM, TIANANMEN SQUARE, BOSNIA, AFRICA, NORTH KOREA, CHILE, VARIOUS CARIBBEAN ISLANDS AND EVEN IN SELMA, WACO OR OKALAHOMA CITY WHO KNOW ALL TOO WELL IT IS POSSIBLE FOR "TERRORISTS", AS HEREIN DEFINED, TO WREAK HAVOC, WITH A GOOD POSSIBILITY OF ESCAPING THE CONSEQUENCES OR, TO DEFER OR MINIMIZE THOSE CONSEQUENCES FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME, EVEN UNTO A LUXURIOUS LIFE AND NATURAL DEATH IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY OR WITH A TIMELY RETIREMENT, INCLUDING FULL BENEFITS, IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY.
     
THE ABILITY TO SURVIVE AND PURSUE ONES SELF INTEREST BECOMES THE ESSENCE OF FREEDOM AND IS AVAILABLE TO SOME DEGREE WITHIN EVERY GOVERNMENT, BE IT DEMOCRACY, SOCIALISM, DICTATORSHIP OR COMMUNIST. BY ACCIDENT OF BIRTH, ONE ENCOUNTERS A SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT WITH WHICH HE OR SHE MUST COPE. THOSE WHO ARE ADEPT AT MANAGING THEIR LIVES, WITHIN THAT SYSTEM, SURVIVE. THOSE WHO DO NOT PROSPER, FIND THEMSELVES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PECKING ORDER WITH CONSIDERABLY LESS FREEDOM THAN THEY DESIRE, WHICH ACCOUNTS, IN LARGE MEASURE FOR THE ORIGINS OF OUR NATION AND CONTEMPORARY IMMIGRATION, BOTH LEGAL AND ILLEGAL.
     
IT IS SUGGESTED THAT MANY FEEL A STRONG SENSE OF LIMITED FREEDOM UNDER THE PRESENT DEMOCRATIC SYSTEMS, WHICH SOME COUNTRIES NOW WISH TO FOIST ON NON-DEMOCRATIC COUNTRIES, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THESE COUNTRIES, IN ALL PROBABILITY, DO NOT WANT AND ARE NOT PREPARED TO SUSTAIN. THE IMPOSITION OF AN ALIEN FORM OF GOVERNMENT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT CONSIDERABLE ECONOMIC AND MILITARY SUPPORT FROM THE OUTSIDE. WHAT A WONDERFUL BURDEN THAT HAS BECOME OVER THE LAST HALF CENTURY TO THE USSR IN EUROPE, AFRICA AND THE CARIBBEAN AND TO THE UNITED STATES IN EASTERN EUROPE, AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST! WHILE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE COLLAPSES, POVERTY CONTINUES AND HEALTH CARE FOR MILLIONS REMAINS ONLY A DREAM, TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND HOURS, TO SAY NOTHING OF NUMEROUS LIVES, ARE BEING “OUTSOURCED” TO BENEFIT OTHER COUNTRIES AND THEIR POPULATIONS.
     
WHETHER ONE WEARS LONG ROBES AND A FACE MASK (CHADOR?) OR A MINI SKIRT HAS LITTLE BEARING ON FREEDOM AND SEEMS MORE RELATED TO THE EVOLUTION OF THE CULTURE THAN TO GOVERNMENT PROCLIVITIES. OF COURSE, GOVERNMENTS DO SEEM TO BE THE ENFORCEMENT ARM OF THE CULTURE MONGERS, EVEN IF THEY GENERALLY LAG ABOUT TWO GENERATIONS BEHIND IN MODIFYING THE REGULATIONS. EXPENDITURES OF TIME AND MONEY IN THESE EFFORTS DEFY QUANTIFICATION, BUT WOULD SURELY ERASE THE NATIONAL DEBT IN SHORT ORDER. LIKEWISE, REAL FREEDOM, DOES NOT SEEM TO BE RELATED TO THE RACE OR GENDER OF THE MASSES PERMITTED TO VOTE, WHEN THE CHOICES ARE ARTIFICIALLY MANIPULATED, AS ARE THE CHOICES OFFERED BY THE POWER BROKERS WITHIN THE ONE PARTY SYSTEM, OR THE TWO PARTY SYSTEM FOR THAT MATTER.
     
THE PREVAILING WISDOM OF VOTING RIGHTS FOR ALL, SIMPLY BECAUSE ONE WAS BORN, WAS NOT ENVISIONED BY THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION AND THE AUTHOR IS NOT AWARE OF ANY SIGNIFICANT EXPANSION OF FREEDOM WHEN BOTH GENDERS AND ALL RACES AND ETHNIC GROUPS WERE FINALLY PERMITTED TO VOTE AND HOLD OFFICE. ON THE CONTRARY, CORRUPTION, INCOMPETENCE, AND INDIFFERENCE CONTINUE APACE AND THERE SEEMS TO BE LITTLE GENDER OR RACIAL DIFFERENCE IN THE CONDUCT OF THE "INS". NEARLY ALL ARE SELF-SERVING AND ADDICTED TO TURNING THE IDEA OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO OTHERS ON ITS PROVERBIAL EAR, BY USING THE SYSTEM TO CREATE FOR THEMSELVES A LIFETIME OF POWER AND MONEY AT THE EXPENSE OF THE SUBSERVIENT POPULATION.
     
OF COURSE, OPEN DICTATORSHIPS AVOID THE WASTE OF TIME, MONEY AND ENERGY INVOLVED IN VOTING BY ELIMINATING THE CHARADE ALTOGETHER. PERHAPS, THE ART OF POLITICS HAS BEEN ELEVATED TO THE POINT WHERE RELATIVELY CLUELESS MASSES CAN BE DECEIVED INTO THINKING THEY ARE FREE, IF ONLY TO ELECT ONE BRAND OF OPPRESSOR INSTEAD OF THE OTHER, SO LONG AS THE "GOVERNMENT" DOES NOT CROSS THAT IMPERCEPTIBLE BREAKING POINT.
     
THE IDEA, LONG DISCARDED, THAT ONLY INTELLIGENT, EDUCATED AND INFORMED PERSONS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO VOTE HELD THE VAIN PROMISE OF ELECTING A HIGHER CLASS OF SCOUNDRELS. UNFORTUNATELY, FOR THE "INS", CITIZENS WITH THOSE QUALIFICATIONS ARE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO DECEIVE.  SO LONG AS THE UNINFORMED MASSES CAN BE PERSUADED BY EMPTY PROMISES (LIES?)OF A BETTER LIFE, THE TURNOVER IN ELECTED GOVERNMENTS WILL REMAIN ABOUT THE SAME AS IN DICTATORSHIPS, BUT THAT IS ANOTHER TOPIC.
     
ALL FORMS OF GOVERNMENT OFFER SOME STABILITY AND SOME FREEDOM WHILE EXTRACTING A HIGH PRICE FROM THE GOVERNED TO LINE THEIR OWN POCKETS. THE COST/BENEFIT RATIO, IN TERMS OF PURSUING ONES OWN SELF-INTEREST AND REAPING THE BENEFITS OF THAT LABOR, IS DEEMED FREEDOM.  INTERESTINGLY, THE PATTERNS OF MIGRATION GIVE SOME CLUE AS TO WHICH GOVERNMENTS ARE OFFERING MORE AND EXTRACTING LESS, OR AT LEAST, CREATING THE ILLUSION OF THIS. FEW ARE ENGAGED IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION TO THE CONTINENT OF AFRICA OR THE NORTH KOREAN PENINSULA, WHILE MANY ARE INVADING WESTERN EUROPE AND THE NORTH AMERICAN CONTINENT. WILL CHINA AND INDIA BE NEXT? STILL, THESE IMMIGRANTS, HUMAN THOUGH THEY BE, WITH FEW SKILLS, LITTLE EDUCATION AND A PROPENSITY TO PROCREATE WILL EVENTUALLY UNDERMINE THE VERY COUNTRIES THEY SEEK TO ACCESS, WHICH IS ALSO ANOTHER TOPIC.
     
IF A COUNTRY OR ORGANIZATION, SUBSCRIBES TO ANOTHER FORM OF OPPRESSION AND POSE A VERIFIABLE RISK TO THIS COUNTRY, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT A REASONABLE GOAL SHOULD BE TO DESTROY THAT THREAT, SIMILAR TO STAMPING OUT A VIRULENT STRAIN OF DISEASE OR RIDDING THE AREA OF RATTLESNAKES. IT DOES NOT SEEM REASONABLE TO "IMPOSE" OUR FORM OF GOVERNMENT ON THE OFFENDING NATION OR BAND OF TERRORISTS, NOR ARE WE REQUIRED TO ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE UNFORTUNATE POPULATION WHO BROUGHT TO POWER AND/OR PERMITTED THIS FORM OF TYRANNY TO EXIST.
     
ONE WITH POWER, BE IT A PERSON, A CORPORATION, A STATE OR NATION, MUST USE THIS POWER JUDICIOUSLY. STILL, OF THOSE TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS REQUIRED. AS AN ORDINARY CITIZEN, ONE COULD FIND NO FAULT WITH GOING INTO ANY COUNTRY OR SEARCHING OUT ANY GROUP DEVELOPING, OR CAPABLE OF DEVELOPING, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION WHICH COULD (AND PROBABLY WOULD) BE USED AGAINST US IN THE FUTURE. HOWEVER, AFTER GOING IN, LOOKING AROUND, AND DESTROYING THE REGIME AND THOSE CAPABILITIES, IT WOULD BE WELL TO LET THE "LIBERATED" COUNTRY DEAL WITH THEIR OWN INTERNAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF SELF-GOVERNANCE, WITHOUT INTERFERING IN THE PROCESS.
     
AT LEAST ONE ROOSEVELT GOT IT RIGHT. "SPEAK SOFTLY AND CARRY A BIG STICK". IT IS THE ONE PROVEN FOREIGN POLICY THAT OTHERS (ESPECIALLY DICTATORS AND TERRORISTS) UNDERSTAND. A WAR SHOULD DEFINITELY BE THE LAST RESORT, BUT, IF IT IS FOUGHT, IT SHOULD BE FOUGHT TO WIN. THOSE WHO THINK WARS CAN OR SHOULD BE FOUGHT LIKE A SPORTING EVENT OR A BOXING MATCH, WITH MARQUIS OF QUEENSBURY RULES BY WHICH ALL SIDES AGREE TO ABIDE, RANK AMONG THE MOST NAIVE OF ALL GOD'S CHILDREN. OBVIOUSLY, THE CHILDREN OF ALLAH HAVE LEARNED THAT FACT OF LIFE.
     
TERRORISTS, AND ALL OF THE OTHER ENEMIES OF THIS COUNTRY THAT THE AUTHOR CAN REMEMBER, HAVE NEVER ABIDED BY THESE RULES AND ONLY USE THEM FOR PROPAGANDA TO FURTHER THEIR OWN INTERESTS. FIGHTING, KILLING AND DYING IS NOT A "GAME". IT IS EITHER VITAL TO SURVIVAL OR IT IS NOT NECESSARY. NO QUARTER IS ASKED AND NONE IS GIVEN.
     
JUST AS ISRAEL MUST ABSORB A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF LOSSES IN ORDER TO SURVIVE, THE UNITED STATES NEEDS TO BE PREPARED, SOONER, RATHER THAN LATER, TO DO THE SAME. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT IS LUDICROUS TO THINK THAT THE POPULATION UNDER ATTACK SHOULD NOT EXTRACT A SUFFICIENT PRICE FROM THE TERRORISTS TO DETER THE AGGRESSORS (AND THEIR LEADERS, SINCE LEADERS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS DON'T FIGHT, REMEMBER?) FROM INSTIGATING SUCH ATTACKS AGAIN, BUT I DIGRESS.
     
REMEMBER, ALL GOVERNMENTS, TO WHATEVER EXTENT POSSIBLE, LIMIT THE FREEDOMS OF THEIR CITIZENS WHILE EXTRACTING WHATEVER BENEFITS THEY CAN FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL COMFORT OR EGOTISTICAL PLACE IN HISTORY. THAT THE PRICE OF FREEDOM IS ETERNAL VIGILANCE IS ACKNOWLEDGED, BE IT AGAINST EXTERNAL ENEMIES OR THOSE OF THE INTERNAL VARIETY.
     
THE AUTHOR DOES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SOME FORM OF GOVERNMENT IS THE NECESSARILY EVIL ALTERNATIVE TO ANARCHY. FROM THIS PERCEPTION, THE MOST LIMITED FORM OF GOVERNMENT IS PROBABLY THE BEST. TRAGICALLY, THE RUSH TO HAVE GOVERNMENT ASSUME ALL OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT INDIVIDUALS SHOULD ASSUME, IS WHAT GIVES RISE TO OVERWHELMING GOVERNMENT POWERS, PERPETUATES THE LIMITS ON FREEDOM AND EXTRACTS SUCH A HIGH PRICE FROM THE GENERAL POPULATION. IN THIS COUNTRY, THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO BE HIGHLY BENEFICIAL, AND IS ASTUTELY EXPLOITED, BY THE BURGEONING LEGAL POPULATION FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT.


WHY DO VULTURES COME TO MIND?


ENJOY!  TOM

INTENTIONAL EXPLOSIONS AND EXPLOITATION

AVITW      
I SAW WHERE THERE WERE MORE FIREWORKS THAN INTENDED IN LONDON LAST SUMMER. IF TIME, MONEY AND ENERGY SPENT ARE USED AS A YARDSTICK, THE NEWS MEDIA SEEMED OVERJOYED THAT SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE NORMAL OCCURRENCE OF KIDNAPPING/MURDER/RAPE/ROBBERY/CORPORATE CHICANERY AND POLITICAL SCANDAL TRANSPIRED.  DOES IT STRIKE ANYONE ELSE HOW ODD THE GROUPING OF USUAL NEWS FARE IS? WITH THE EXCEPTION OF AN OCCASIONAL NATURAL DISASTER, ONE COULD DROP OUT OF SOCIETY AND RETURN A YEAR LATER TO THE SAME "NEWS".


WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED SEEMS TO BE THE EXPLOSION OF A FEW, SMALL, LOW TECH DEVICES, IN OTHER THAN THE CUSTOMARY PLACES, RESULTING IN SOME DEATHS, SMALL IN PROPORTION TO THE DEATHS THAT OCCUR DAILY IN THE CUSTOMARY PLACES.  IN THE CUSTOMARY PLACES, SOME DEATHS DO OCCUR FROM SIMILAR CAUSES, HOWEVER, THE MAJORITY DERIVE FROM THE COLLECTIVE LACK OF WISDOM IN MANAGING WORLD AFFAIRS. THAT THESE "OTHER DEATHS" ARE LITTLE MORE THAN A FOOTNOTE TO THE SELLERS OF MEDIA ADVERTISING SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT THE SANCTITY OF LIFE, EXCEPT, OF COURSE, IN THE CLOISTERED BASTIONS OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION.
     
ONE WATCHES WITH A MIXTURE OF DISGUST, CONTEMPT AND AMUSEMENT AT THE PARADE OF POLITICAL HACKS THAT RUSH TO THE MEDIA TO EXPLOIT THE SITUATION AND GET THEIR NAMES AND/OR FACES IN THE LIMELIGHT BY OFFERING CONDOLENCES TO THE INNOCENT VICTIMS' FAMILIES AND THE SURVIVORS, AS WELL AS TO CONDEMN THE PERPETRATORS OF SUCH HEINOUS ACTS, BEFORE RETURNING TO THEIR COMFORTABLE AND HIGHLY SECURE BASES OF OPERATION WHERE THEY CONTINUE FEATHERING THEIR OWN NESTS UNTIL THE NEXT "NEWS EVENT" ARRIVES.
     
THERE FOLLOWS THE NORMAL WRINGING OF HANDS AND EXCUSE MAKING AS TO WHY THE ORDINARY MEMBERS OF WESTERN SOCIETY COULD NOT BE PROTECTED FROM SUCH ACTS ACCOMPANIED BY THE NORMAL FLURRY OF USELESS ACTIVITIES, WHICH REMIND THE AUTHOR OF CLOSING THE BARN DOOR AFTER THE HORSE HAS LEFT THE PREMISES.  THE PRIMARY ACTIVITY OF ACQUIRING WEALTH AND “PERKS” NOTWITHSTANDING, ONE WOULD LIKE TO ASSUME THAT SECURING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE POPULATION IS THE LEGITIMATE FUNCTION OF GOVERNMENT, BUT THAT IS ANOTHER TOPIC.
     
IT IS DOUBTFUL THAT THESE VICTIMS HURT ANY MORE THAN THOSE BLOWN UP IN OTHER AREAS OF THE WORLD OR THAT THE DEAD SUFFERED THEIR DEMISE ANY DIFFERENTLY FROM THOSE OF OTHER CULTURES OR RACES. IT IS ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THEIR FAMILIES WILL NOT GRIEVE ANY DIFFERENTLY FOR THEIR LOSSES, NOR WILL THEIR LIVES BE DISRUPTED TO ANY GREATER EXTENT. AS ONE VICTIM FROM THE PAST, WITH THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON ASKED, "WHY CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?" THE ANSWER RINGS DOWN THE HALLS OF HISTORY WITH AN INESCAPABLE CLARITY. THOSE WHO ASPIRE TO THE POSITIONS OF POWER, BE IT IN GOVERNMENT OR RELIGION, WITH THEIR SELF-SERVING IDEOLOGIES, FOMENT, AND/OR EXPLOIT, UNREST BETWEEN GROUPS TO PERPETUATE THEIR OWN POSITIONS OF POWER AND TO EXPAND THEIR OWN FORTUNES, IF NOT DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR IN A HISTORICAL CONTEXT.


A CONTEMPORARY EXAMPLE OF THIS IS ENCOUNTERED IN THE CONFIRMATION PROCESS OF JUDICIAL NOMINEES TO THE SUPREME COURT.  A PARADE OF CLOWNS IS HARDLY MORE AMUSING.  THOSE CHARGED WITH PERPETUATING THE ORDERLY FUNCTIONING OF GOVERNMENT DO NOT SEEK TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE CANDIDATE IS AN HONORABLE PERSON, KNOWLEDGEABLE IN THE PRACTICE OF LAW AND EXPERIENCED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF WHAT PASSES FOR JUSTICE, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE INTERPRETATION OF EXISTING LAWS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION. RATHER, IT SEEMS, THEY ARE MORE INTERESTED IN DETERMINING WHETHER THE CANDIDATE MIGHT FIND OR CREATE, THROUGH SOME DEVINE INSPIRATION THAT SEEMS TO ACCRUE TO THOSE IN POSITIONS OF POWER, NEW LEGAL SANCTIONS OR MANDATES IN LAW, THAT MIGHT FURTHER OR CRIPPLE THEIR OWN POLITICAL AGENDAS.  APPARENTLY IT IS NOW EASIER TO IMPLEMENT THESE POLITICAL BENTS THROUGH THE LEGAL PROCESS RATHER THAN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, WHICH IS THE PURVIEW OF THE “HUFFERS AND PUFFERS” CREATING THEIR OWN CIRCUS.  


THIS DIVISIVE MODEL OF GOVERNING, ACCORDING TO WHICH PARTY CAN GAIN THE UPPER HAND RATHER THAN FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CITIZENS, SO EXPLICITLY EXEMPLIFIED BY THE BY THE SUNNIS AND SHIITES, IS ALIVE AND WELL IN GOVERNMENTS FAR REMOVED FROM THOSE SORDID ACTIVITIES. THAT THE CANDIDATE AND THE PUBLIC ARE SUBJECTED TO AN ARRAY OF SELF-SERVING STATEMENTS AND PSEUDO QUESTIONS DESIGNED PRIMARILY TO FURTHER THEIR POLITICAL AGENDAS AND PERSONAL FORTUNES IS AN EMBARRASSMENT TO AN INSTITUTION THAT NEEDS NO FURTHER SUCH ACTIVITY TO ADD TO ITS SULLIED REPUTATION.  ONE HARKENS BACK TO THE WORDS OF WILL ROGERS WHOM I BELIEVE DELIVERED THE INSIGHTFUL OBSERVATION THAT OUR COUNTRY HAS THE BEST GOVERNMENT MONEY CAN BUY!  ALTHOUGH THAT IS ANOTHER TOPIC. IT DOES APPEAR THAT THE CODE OF SILENCE BETWEEN THE BUYERS AND SELLERS OF FAVORS, DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE GUILTY, IS ABOUT TO BE BROKEN. VAMOS A VER!
     
THE TRUE CONTRIBUTORS TO THE EVOLUTION OF CIVILIZATION (IT DOES SEEM REASONABLY SAFE TO ASSUME THAT “INTELLIGENT DESIGN” WILL NEVER BE ATTACHED TO SOCIETAL ACTIVITIES) SELDOM HAVE HELD AN ELECTED OR USURPED POSITION OR ASPIRED TO LIVE ON THE BACKS OF OTHERS AS DO THESE PERPETRATORS OF DIVISIVENESS, SETTING ONE HUMAN AGAINST THE OTHER, IN THOUGHT, WORD AND DEED. IT IS THOUGHT THAT NO OTHER SPECIES PREYS ON OTHER MEMBERS OF THE SAME SPECIES IN THE SAME EGOTISTICAL MODE. THE DISASTROUS RESULTS ARE RECOUNTED THROUGHOUT THE ANNALS OF HISTORY.  IT IS NOT WITHIN THE POWER NOR PURVIEW OF THE AUTHOR TO EXPLAIN THE REASONS FOR SUCH INSANITY. ANY RATIONAL EXPLANATION IS SIMPLY ABSENT AND THE QUESTION OF THE AFOREMENTIONED VICTIM REMAINS.
     
THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THOSE POPULATIONS WHO ARE SUBJECTED TO SUCH SAVAGERY CAN NOT OR OUGHT NOT STRIVE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM THESE PREDATORS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ORIGIN.  THERE ARE, HOWEVER, CERTAIN CONSTRAINTS UPON EVERY GROUP IN TERMS OF THEIR ABILITIES AND WILLINGNESS TO CONFRONT THE ATROCITIES WITH WHICH THEY ARE BESET. THE IDEA OF FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE BECOMES AN ATTRACTIVE ONE, HOWEVER, IT DAMAGES, TO SOME EXTENT, THE NATURE OF THE DEFENDERS IF THEY STOOP TO THE LEVEL OF THOSE WHO ATTACK. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THESE CONSTRAINTS ARE BEING SORELY TESTED AND DEBATED IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY. OF COURSE, THE ATTACKERS EXPLOIT THIS UNWILLINGNESS TO SACRIFICE PARTS OF WHAT ONE BELIEVES IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE. THE UNFORTUNATE COROLLARY TO THIS IS, THAT THE POPULATION UNDER ATTACK IS ALSO EXPLOITED, FOR PERSONAL AND PARTISAN GAIN, BY THOSE CHARGED WITH PROTECTING THE INNOCENT. AS IN ALL CONFLICTS, IT IS THE GENERAL POPULATION THAT PAYS THE PRICE IN TIME, MONEY, INCONVENIENCE AND, ALL TOO OFTEN IN THIS DAY OF EASY ACCESS TO THE MEANS TO WREAK HAVOC, LIFEBLOOD.
     
THE ENMITY OF THE ARAB POPULATION FOR THE ARYAN POPULATION DERIVES MUCH OF ITS ORIGINS FROM THE ARBITRARY CREATION AND SUPPORT OF A JEWISH STATE AMIDST THE FORMER. THE DISPLACEMENT OF RESIDENTS FOR NEARLY TWO MILLENNIA FROM THEIR LAND OF SQUALOR IS SIMPLY UNPALATABLE.  THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT MEMBERS OF THE HEBREW POPULATION, LIKE THOSE OF AFRICAN DESCENT, HAVE SUFFERED MUCH AT THE HANDS OF VARIOUS WORLD GOVERNMENTS OVER THE CENTURIES. HOWEVER, IT TAKES LITTLE IMAGINATION TO UNDERSTAND THE RESISTANCE AND HATRED ENGENDERED WITHIN THE ARAB POPULATION DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES AND LAND. THE OPPORTUNITY CREATED FOR THOSE INCLINED TO EXPLOIT THAT RESENTMENT AND TURN IT TO THEIR ADVANTAGE IS OBVIOUS. ONE DOUBTS THAT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A GREATLY DIFFERENT RESPONSE FROM THOSE AFFECTED IF, FOR EXAMPLE, THE HEBREW NATION HAD BEEN GIVEN, AND RESETTLED IN, THE WESTERN HALF OF TEXAS OR, IF THOSE OF AFRICAN DESCENT WERE GIVEN AND RESETTLED IN A WESTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRY, (FOR EXAMPLE, FRANCE?) FOLLOWING THE CIVIL WAR. THIS LACK OF FORESIGHT, IN UNDERSTANDING THESE FEELINGS OF OPPOSITION AND RESISTANCE AND THE SYMPATHY AND SUPPORT OF OTHER ARAB NATIONS, IS DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE.
     
THAT ONE SIDE NOW CONDUCTS THEIR KILLING WITH TANKS AND PLANES WHILE THE OTHER MANIPULATES NAIVE PERSONS INTO BLOWING THEMSELVES UP AMONG INNOCENT PEOPLE IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR GOD (OR IS IT JUST THE POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS USING DEITY TO THEIR OWN ENDS?) DOES NOT CHANGE THE HORROR OF THE SITUATION. IT IS SIGNIFICANT TO NOTE AGAIN, THAT NONE OF THE "LEADERS" FEEL AN OBLIGATION TO THEIR DEITY OR POLITICAL PERSUASION TO PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES PERSONALLY, LIVING INSTEAD, WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS IN RELATIVELY COMFORTABLE AND SAFE ENVIRONS.
     
DURING THE SUBSEQUENT HALF CENTURY, IMPOTENT ARABS WATCHED WITH DISMAY AND ENVY AS THIS TINY NATION PROSPERED, ALBEIT WITH CONSIDERABLE ASSISTANCE FROM OTHER NON-ARAB NATIONS, WHILE THEY LANGUISHED IN POVERTY, BOTH OF SPIRIT AND GOODS. UNFORTUNATELY, IN ANY ATTEMPT TO RIGHT THE WRONGS OF THE PAST, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES AS WE ALL CONSTRAINED TO LIVE ON THIS FINITE PLANET AND NEED ACCESS TO THE EVEN MORE FINITE RESOURCES, BUT THAT IS YET ANOTHER TOPIC.
     
WITH THE CAPABILITY TO STRIKE FARTHER A FIELD, FUELED NO DOUBT, WITH PETROL-DOLLARS FROM THE SAME COUNTRIES WHO ARE NOW UNDER ATTACK, THE "TERRORISTS" GLEEFULLY INFLICT A "SCRATCH" OR TWO ON THE GREAT SATANS OF THE WORLD, THUS PROVIDING AN EVEN GREATER EXCUSE FOR THOSE IN POWER TO FLEECE THE PUBLIC AND BUILD EVEN MORE USELESS BUREAUCRACIES.  AS EXPECTED, THESE AGENCIES WASTE NO TIME IN ACQUIRING MORE POWER OVER THEIR SUBJECTS, E.G. FURTHER LIMITING PREVIOUSLY EXISTING FREEDOMS, IN THE NAME OF PROTECTION OR NATIONAL SECURITY.  THE RELATIONSHIP OF INTRUSIVE SEARCHES UPON DEMOGRAPHICS NOT NOTED FOR THEIR TERRORIST ACTIVITIES, E.G. GRANDPARENTS BENT ON NOTHING MORE THAN ENJOYING THEIR DECLINING YEARS; BUSINESS PERSONS STRIVING TO CREATE MORE TAXABLE DOLLARS; AND CHILDREN ACCOMPANYING THEIR PARENTS TO A THEME PARK, DEFIES LOGIC EXCEPT TO THOSE SEEKING TO JUSTIFY THEIR EXISTENCE AND INCREDIBLE BUDGETS.
     
NO ONE ABHORS THE LOSS OF PERSONAL FREEDOM MORE THAN THE AUTHOR. HOWEVER, IT MUST BE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT WITHOUT SECURITY, THERE CAN BE NO FREEDOM AT ALL. WHERE DOES ONE TURN FOR GUIDANCE? THE ANSWER IS OBVIOUSLY ISRAEL WHICH HAS MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN COPING WITH ALIEN INVASIONS WHILE STRIVING TO PROVIDE AS SAFE AN ENVIRONMENT POSSIBLE FOR THEIR CITIZENS. THE DETAILS ARE EXTENSIVE, BUT THE MODEL IS IN PLACE AND WOULD PROBABLY HAVE SUCCEEDED TO A GREATER EXTENT IF THE LEADERS OF ISRAEL HAD NOT BEEN RESTRAINED BY THEIR ALLIES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO AVENGE THE UNPROVOKED ATTACKS BY SAID TERRORISTS, WHO WERE THEN NOT SUBJECTED TO RETALIATORY ACTIONS. IT IS NOT KNOWN WHEN, OR IF, THOSE VICTIMIZED WILL FACE THE REALITY THAT VENGEANCE AND/OR RETRIBUTION IS THE ONLY LANGUAGE THAT TERRORISTS UNDERSTAND.
     
WHEN THE CHANCE OF SUCCESS IS SMALL AND THE PRICE IS EXORBITANT, THEY WILL RETURN TO THEIR SMOLDERING HATRED, BUT PROBABLY HAVE ENOUGH SENSE TO KNOW HOW AND WHEN TO LIMIT IT. THE PSYCHOLOGICAL BASIS FOR THIS LIES IN THE STUDY OF SELF-DEFEATING BEHAVIOR. ONLY THE STUPIDEST OF HUMANS EXHIBIT THIS BEHAVIOR AND ONE SHOULD NOT ATTRIBUTE STUPIDITY TO ONES ENEMIES WHO, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE FEW RESOURCES, EXTRACT A GREAT PRICE IN EXCHANGE FOR A MINIMUM OF COSTS, BOTH IN LIVES AND POSSESSIONS.  WERE THIS A CONTEST BETWEEN EQUALS, SUBJECT TO IMPARTIAL JUDGMENT, ONE COULD CLEARLY ANNOUNCE THAT THE TERRORISTS ARE AHEAD. OF COURSE, THEY CANNOT WIN AS THE CONTEST IS BETWEEN UNEQUAL COMPETITORS. THAT THE TERRORISTS WILL CONTINUE TO INFLICT GRIEVOUS HARM TO THE OBJECTS OF THEIR HATRED AT ANY GIVEN OPPORTUNITY IS NOT IN DOUBT. NO COUNTRY KNOWS THIS BETTER THAN ISRAEL.
     
THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE IS TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM, WHICH THE LEADERS OF THE SO CALLED "FREE WORLD" DO NOT SEEM WILLING TO DO. THESE REVOLUTIONARIES WILL NOT GO AWAY THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS OR BE DEFEATED SO LONG AS THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO SURVIVE AND THE MEANS TO EXPRESS THEIR HATRED. THEY (THE TERRORISTS, NOT THE RATIONAL PORTION OF THE ARAB POPULATION)REALLY HAVE LITTLE OTHER REASON FOR WHICH TO LIVE. NOR WILL A "BETTER LIFE" BE IMPOSED ON THEM FROM THE OUTSIDE. ALL TRUE HUMAN BEHAVIORAL CHANGES ACCRUE FROM CHANGES IN BELIEFS AND VALUES ON THE INSIDE.
     
THIS HATRED IS PASSED FROM ONE GENERATION OF ARABS TO THE NEXT, MUCH AS THE PREJUDICE OF WHITES (NOT ONLY SOUTHERN ONES) WAS INCULCATED IN THE CULTURE OF THIS COUNTRY. OF COURSE, A FEW INDIVIDUALS OF THIS BENT MAY BE HUNTED DOWN LIKE MAD DOGS AND KILLED OR IMPRISONED, BUT WHOLE SOCIETIES MAY NOT BE SO CONTROLLED, OR AT LEAST NOT FOR VERY LONG OR WITHOUT GREAT EXPENSE TO THE "VICTOR". IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT IS NOW LEARNING THIS LESSON, ALBEIT TOO LATE FOR THE MANY "VICTIMS" ON BOTH SIDES.
     
SECONDLY, ISRAEL HAS ACCEPTED THE PRINCIPLE THAT EVERYONE, NOT SIMPLY THE LOWER CLASS, HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO PRESERVE WHAT SECURITY IS POSSIBLE AND MANDATORY MILITARY SERVICE IS NOT RESERVED FOR THOSE LESS FORTUNATE IN STATUS BY BIRTH OR GENDER AS IS THE PRACTICE IN THE OTHER AGGRIEVED COUNTRIES. A POOR MAN OR WOMAN'S, BLOOD IS NOT MORE EXPENDABLE OR EXPLOITABLE IN THE NEVER ENDING STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL AS IS GENERALLY FOUND IN COUNTRIES FORMERLY REMOTE FROM THE ”ACTION".
     
THIRDLY, EVEN THE DUMBEST MILITARY RECRUIT KNOWS THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT OF SECURITY IS THE PERIMETER. ISRAEL WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DEFINING AND PROTECTING THAT PERIMETER IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS UNTIL THEIR ALLIES BETRAYED THEM BY TRYING TO NEGOTIATE "PEACE" RATHER THAN ASSERT A COMMITMENT TO SECURITY. WOULD THAT THE LEADERS OF OTHER COUNTRIES EXHIBITED INTELLIGENCE AND VIGILANCE EQUAL TO THAT OF ISRAEL.
     
HOWEVER, ONE SHOULD NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE COLLECTIVE STUPIDITY OF WORLD LEADERS IN FAILING TO LEARN FROM HISTORY, THAT HONORABLE, MORE OR LESS, PEOPLE CANNOT NEGOTIATE ANYTHING, MUCH LESS PEACE, WITH DISHONORABLE PEOPLE. FROM THE TROJAN HORSE TO LORD CHAMBERLAIN TO KIM JONG II, THE LESSONS ARE INESCAPABLE TO ALL, EXCEPT THOSE IN POWER WHOSE EGOS ARE SO DISPROPORTIONATE TO THEIR ABILITIES, THAT THEY REFUSE TO ACCEPT REALITY.
     
FORTUNATELY, IN NEARLY EVERY DIFFICULT SITUATION, LIES THE GENESIS OF A SOLUTION. UNFORTUNATELY, ONLY A DIRE EMERGENCY, NOT A MINOR INCURSION, LEADS TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MEASURES SUFFICIENT TO ALLEVIATE THE MENACE. THOSE PRESENTLY IN POWER ARE NOT WILLING TO RISK THEIR COMFORTABLE EXISTENCE TO PREVENT THE EXPLOSION IN THE MINE, SO TO SPEAK, BY PAYING ATTENTION TO THE CANARY. SUCH ARE THE LESSONS OF NEW YORK, MADRID AND NOW LONDON. ABOUT THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE ACTIVITY AMONG THE LEADERS IS MORE HAND WRINGING, EMPTY WORDS AND FUTILE ACTS. IS IT ANY WONDER THAT THE PROBLEMS PERSIST?
     
ONE WRITES SUCH OBSERVATIONS AT HIS OR HER OWN PERIL, BECAUSE THE COLLECTIVE POWER STRUCTURES DO NOT WANT TO HEAR THEM. HOWEVER, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT VIABLE OPTIONS FOR THE RESOLUTION OF MOST PROBLEMS ARISE, NOT FROM THE "COMMITTEES OF SHEEP", (THE BANE OF THE AUTHOR) BUT, FROM THE INDIVIDUAL WHO DARES TO CONTEMPLATE THE SITUATION FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THE "SEMI AND THE OVERPASS" OR THE WORDS OF HERBERT HOOVER OR G.B.S.?
     
SINCE IT IS NOT LIKELY THAT THOSE WHO DERIVE GREAT PERSONAL BENEFITS FROM BOTH THE THREATS AND ACTS OF TERRORISTS WILL WILLINGLY DISMANTLE THEIR FREAKISH, BUT ENTIRELY PREDICTABLE, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, NOW BLEEDING THE ECONOMIC LIFEBLOOD FROM OUR NATION, PERHAPS THEY MIGHT BE WILLING TO INSTITUTE AT LEAST ONE OF THE LESS INTRUSIVE MEASURES FOR CONTROLLING DISRUPTIVE INDIVIDUALS AND/OR GROUPS.  BY PREVENTING FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT AND COMMERCE BY THESE NEFARIOUS INDIVIDUALS, NOW USING THE PROTECTIONS OF THE SAME CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT THEY SEEK TO DESTROY OR CIRCUMVENT, GOVERNMENTS MIGHT SEVERELY MITIGATE THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF THESE MALCONTENTS.

THIS MEASURE, WHICH EXISTS IN VARIOUS FORMS IN OTHER LESS "ADVANCED" COUNTRIES, IS THE USE OF A UNIVERSAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM, INCLUDING PHOTO AND PLACE OF BIRTH, AMONG OTHER ESSENTIAL INFORMATION, FOR LEGAL CITIZENS. THIS IDENTIFICATION, WHEN COUPLED WITH A FINGER OR THUMB PRINT OF THE BEARER, IDENTIFIES, WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF PRECISION, THIS INDIVIDUAL AS ONE, WHO, HAVING ABIDED BY THE RULES OF THE SYSTEM, THEREFORE HAS CERTAIN RIGHTS TO LIVE AND PARTICIPATE IN THAT SYSTEM.  WITHOUT THIS DEMONSTRABLE “RIGHT”, INDIVIDUALS MAY NOT ENGAGE IN ANY FORM OF COMMERCE, BE IT OPENING BANK ACCOUNTS TO HIDE MONEY; LEASING OR PURCHASING A SHELTER FROM WHICH THEY MIGHT BASE THEIR OPERATIONS; OBTAIN TRANSPORTATION, OR THE RIGHTS THERETO, SUCH AS A DRIVER’S LICENSE OR AIRLINE TICKETS; AND CERTAINLY THEY COULD NOT ATTEND INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING (OR FLIGHT SCHOOLS) WHERE THEY MIGHT LEARN THE MYSTERIES OF PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY, ENABLING THEM TO DEVELOP THE SOPHISTICATED WEAPONS CIVILIZED NATIONS SO RIGHTLY FEAR.


BEFORE ONE ENCOUNTERS THE RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION FROM THE LIBERAL LEFT AND THE RADICAL RIGHT, THE AUTHOR ACKNOWLEDGES THE INHERENT LOSS OF FREEDOM BY ALLOWING THE GOVERNMENT TO KNOW WHERE I AM AND WHAT I'M DOING. HOWEVER, UNLESS I WISH TO BE INVOLVED IN SOMETHING ILLEGAL, I FIND THIS TO BE A SMALL PRICE TO PAY FOR RIDDING THE COUNTRY OF ALL THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE A LEGAL RIGHT TO BE HERE AND ARE UNACCOUNTED FOR BY THE GOVERNMENT WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT THE PERIMETER OF OUR COUNTRY. IF PEOPLE HAD TO PROVE THEIR IDENTITY, HENCE THEIR RIGHT TO DO WHATEVER IS LEGALLY PERMITTED, FROM THE PURCHASE OF GROCERIES (OR EXPLOSIVES) TO THE RENTAL OF HOTEL ROOMS (OR VEHICLES), THE PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE, THE OBTAINING OF DRIVERS' LICENSES OR MEDICAL CARE AND EDUCATION, PERHAPS IT WOULD NOT BE SO EASY TO SURVIVE OUT OF SIGHT OF THOSE CITIZENS WHO MIGHT BETTER "CONNECT THE DOTS" THAN HAS THE PRESENT PATCHWORK OF SECURITY AGENCIES.
     
OF COURSE, ENGAGING IN ANY COMMERCE WITH UNIDENTIFIED OR UNIDENTIFIABLE INDIVIDUALS WOULD OBVIOUSLY BE ILLEGAL, AS IT IS IN THE SELLING OF CONTRABAND CIGARETTES OR UNAUTHORIZED DOWNLOADING OF MUSIC, ACTIVITIES WHICH PALE IN IMPORTANCE WHEN COMPARED TO ACTS OF TERRORISM. A MERCHANT OR REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY AGENCY OR CORPORATION ENGAGING IN SUCH TRANSACTIONS WOULD BE SUBJECTED TO THE FULL WEIGHT OF GOVERNMENT SANCTIONS, JUST AS PROVIDERS OF RATHER BENIGN SERVICES ARE NOW HUNTED DOWN AND PROSECUTED (PERSECUTED?) FOR VARIOUS NON-THREATENING ACTIVITIES TO UNIDENTIFIED INDIVIDUALS WHO, FOR THE MOST PART, HAVE NO DESIRE TO HARM OUR SOCIETY, MUCH LESS TO DESTROY IT. WHAT A WASTE OF GOVERNMENT RESOURCES THIS IS IN THE FULFILLING THE PENCHANT OF GOVERNMENTS TO MIND OTHER PEOPLES’ BUSINESS, BUT THAT IS ANOTHER TOPIC.
     
IT IS POSTULATED THAT FEW INDIVIDUALS OR CORPORATIONS, MUCH LESS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, WOULD RISK SIGNIFICANT PUNISHMENT BY PROVIDING THE SERVICES REQUIRED TO SURVIVE, BE IT FOOD, MEDICINE OR EDUCATION TO ILLEGAL RESIDENTS OR THOSE INTERESTED IN ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES. HAVING WALKED IN DISTANT AREAS OF THE WORLD, WHERE PRIVATE GUARDS ARMED WITH SUB-MACHINE GUNS, NOT TOYS, INCLUDING THE LONDON "TUBE", KNOWING THAT KIDNAPPING IS A REAL POSSIBILITY OR THAT A BOMB COULD BE DETONATED AT ANY TIME BY ANYONE SO INCLINED, I AM MUCH MORE TOLERANT OF THE INTRUSIVE PERSONAL REQUESTS FOR IDENTIFICATION TO WHICH PATRONS OF BANKS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, DEPARTMENT STORES OR AREAS DEEMED SENSITIVE, SUCH AS CHEMICAL FACTORIES, POWER PLANTS, AIRPORTS AND OTHER POINTS OF ENTRY, ARE NOW SUBJECTED THAN I WAS IN THE PAST.
     
AS WITH ISRAEL, THESE COUNTRIES COULD NOT PREVENT EVERY POTENTIAL DISASTER, BUT THEY COULD INCREASE THE DIFFICULTY AND LOWER THE PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS BY USING THE POWER TO STOP PERSONS AND ASK THEM TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES, BEFORE PERMITTING ENTRY TO THE ABOVE AREAS OR THE PURCHASE OF NEEDED SUPPLIES. IN ADDITION, RANDOM CHECKS OF PASSENGERS, IN ALL MODES OF TRANSPORTATION, PROVIDED A REAL DETERRENT TO PERSONS ATTEMPTING ILLEGAL ENTRY OR PASSAGE WITHIN THE COUNTRY. SOMEHOW, SHOWING MY PASSPORT OR VISA WAS A SMALL INCONVENIENCE TO AID IN THEIR EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN SAFETY AND ORDER IN THEIR COUNTRY.   OF COURSE, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT I WAS SINGLED OUT BECAUSE OF MY OBVIOUS ALIEN APPEARANCE AND SUGGEST THAT THIS IS NOT A VIOLATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS, BUT A RATHER INTELLIGENT FOCUS OF EFFORT IN THE PROTECTION OF CITIZENS OF A GIVEN COUNTRY.
     
THAT THIS METHOD IS USED BY MANY TOTALITARIAN STATES, PROBABLY SHOWS THAT IT IS SOMEWHAT EFFECTIVE ALSO. I DON'T REMEMBER TOO MANY I.E.D.’S OR AMBUSHES IN IRAQ PRIOR TO "FREEDOM" BEING IMPOSED ON THEM. ORDINARY CITIZENS SEEMED TO LIVE THEIR LIVES, HOWEVER LIMITED, PROVIDED, OF COURSE, THEY DID NOT SEEK TO SUBVERT THE GOVERNMENT, WHICH I BELIEVE IS WHAT THE TERRORISTS, SO WIDELY DEPLORED IN THE MEDIA, ARE TRYING TO DO TO DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS. DID I MISS SOMETHING?
     
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT 90% (AN ARBITRARY NUMBER TO BE SURE) OF THE EFFORTS AND MONEY BEING SPENT SUFFICES ONLY TO INCONVENIENCE LAW ABIDING CITIZENS. AN IDENTIFICATION CARD AND A THUMB PRINT MIGHT OBTAIN THE SAME, IF NOT BETTER, RESULTS IN MUCH LESS TIME AND AT FAR LESS COST. VAMOS A VER.


REMEMBER, THE RELATIVE SAFETY OF A POPULATION, DEPENDS ON THE VIGILANCE OF EVERYONE. THE INEPTNESS OF THE GOVERNMENT IS SELF-EVIDENT.  IF A "TIP" HOTLINE CAN TRIGGER INTERVENTION IN THE ABUSE OF AN INNOCENT, HOW MUCH MORE VALUABLE WOULD IT BE TO USE THE ABILITY OF ALL LIVING IN OUR SOCIETY TO IDENTIFY THOSE WHO HAVE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO BE HERE,AS OPPOSED TO THOSE WITHOUT THOSE RIGHTS, BEFORE FACILITATING THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO ARE HERE ILLEGALLY, REGARDLESS OF THEIR MOTIVATION.
     
ALONG WITH TERRORISTS, SOCIETY MIGHT SEVERELY LIMIT THE UNDERGROUND ECONOMY, WHICH ONE GATHERS AVOIDS TAXATION OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN COMMERCE; THE THEFT OR FABRICATION OF FALSE ID'S; THE PROVISION OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND PAYMENT OF MONEY TO ILLEGAL ALIENS OR WELFARE CHEATS; AS WELL MAKING POSSIBLE MORE CAREFUL MONITORING OF THE CRIMINALS WHO "HIDE" IN PLAIN SIGHT TO MOLEST OUR CHILDREN AND/OR COMMIT FURTHER CRIMES.


WOW! HOW MUCH MORE WILL THE GOVERNMENT COLLECT IN TAXES AND HOW MUCH WILL IT SAVE IN TRACKING DOWN THESE INDIVIDUALS OR IN "NOT" PROVIDING SERVICES TO THOSE WHO HAVE NO RIGHT TO THEM? WE MIGHT EVEN BE ABLE TO PAY OFF SOME OF THE NATIONAL DEBT WE HAVE SO CAVALIERLY FOISTED OFF ON FUTURE GENERATIONS.  PERHAPS, BIG BROTHER'S TIME HAS COME. CERTAINLY, AN I.D. SYSTEM IS FAR LESS INTRUSIVE THAN THE "ELECTRONIC EYES" PASSIVELY AND INEFFECTIVELY WATCHING LIMITED AREAS, MOSTLY FREQUENTED BY OUR "LEADERS" CONCERNED FOR THEIR SAFETY.  IT IS SUGGESTED THAT PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN ANALYSIS OF SECURITY TAPES AFTER THE DAMAGE IS DONE.


ENJOY! TOM