November 10-16, 2007
THE FLASHLIGHT, Nov. 10-16, 2007
No Peace without Justice, no Justice without the facts
[I now consult regularly Google News and The Nation. MM]
Iraq
W Post 11-15. Several US military commanders complained that the intransigence of the Shia Government of Iraq with regard to the Sunni insurgents is the key problem facing the US effort in Iraq, rather than al-Qaida, the Sunni insurgents or the Iran-backed militias. While attacks on US troops and Iraqi civilians have now declined, there is still no progress toward Shia-Sunni reconciliation. [or an oil law]
CNN 11-13. The cost of the six years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq is now $1,6 trillion, double the White House estimate. The President recently signed a $471 billion defense spending bill.
NY Times 11-15. The FBI reported that on Sept. 17, 2007 in Baghdad Blackwater security guards shot 14 Iraqis without cause. The Iraqi government has cancelled the license of Blackwater to operate in Iraq.
Israel/Palestine
Helene Cobban in The Nation, 11-19-07. “Helene Cobban, author and publisher of a blog, JustWorldNews.org, is a Friend in Washington for the Friends Committee on National Legislation.” (boldface mine)
“Facing Hamas and Hezbollah; Refusing to negotiate is an unrealistic policy,” she writes.
The Bush Administration has excluded Hamas from talks this month. This is said to be because the two organizations have not disarmed, physically and ideologically. No such demand has been placed on Israel. No such demand was placed on the Irish Republican Army before negotiations began.
Hamas and Hezbollah have sharply dissociated themselves with the 9-11 attacks. Both have won significant support in free and fair elections in their homelands. Both are willing to enter into cease-fire agreements with Israel. Both have the political strength to compel their followers to comply with such agreements.
United States
CNN 11-12. One out of four of the homeless are veterans.
Recruitment into the military is now below replacement levels.
ABC and AP 11-14 and Wikipedia. The son of Sandra Day O’Connor and John O’Connor announced that his father, who lives in Phoenix in a facility that cares for Alzheimer’s disease patients, has forgotten his wife and marriage, which began in 1952. He now has a sweetheart in the facility. “He is acting like a teenager in love,” said his son. A physician there said that such situations are not uncommon among Alzheimer’s patients.
Sandra Day O’Connor was physically and mentally fit when she resigned from the Supreme Court in early 2006. She said at the time that her husband was ill and she needed to take action for his sake. She is still physically and mentally fit.
Happiness in the US. NYTimes 11-12. Eduardo Porter op ed.
Happiness is clearly real and related to objective measures of well-being. Happier people have lower blood pressure and fewer colds. “People who live with teenagers are the unhappiest of all.”
“Most disconcerting, there seems to be little relationship to economic achievement, which we have historically understood as a driver of wellbeing.” While money boosts happiness, the effect does not last, as we adapt and raise our economic expectations higher. Happiness from non-monetary rewards can be more lasting – such as free time and agreeable social relationships.
Science
ABC News 11-14 and PBS 11-15. Scientists at the Oregon Primate Research Center have now cloned five day old monkey embryos and harvested an abundance of stem cells. From these embryos they can create neurons, heart, lung etc. cells identical to those of the donor. Successful cloning is close for human embryos to obtain stem cells that will not be rejected by the donor. In addition, this opens new opportunities to study genetic diseases.
Humor: USA Weekend, 11--9-11--07 by Bryan Tucker “Bad rap? Hire a publicist! If some of history’s most controversial figures had had the services of a publicist, they might be viewed differently today.”
From the publicist of Cleopatra, Press release, January, 41 B.C. :
“Recently several rumors have surfaced about our supreme leader of Egypt and a Roman triumvir named Mark Anthony after the two were spotted together at the Senate’s annual White Party. It should be stated for the record that Cleopatra and Mr. Anthony are just good friends. They enjoy each other’s platonic company, and they have several common interests, including travel, cooking, and bloodthirsty gladiator sports. Mr. Anthony remains happily married to his Roman wife, Fulvia, who supports his frequent business trips to Egypt. Today Mr. Anthony is proud to announce that his business in Egypt will be expanding as he has formed a joint partnership with Cleopatra to further study the relationship between these two great civilizations. This wonderful partnership will allow for Mr. Anthony to stay in Cleopatra’s royal suite for an extended period of time so that he may get a firsthand look at Egyptian society. No further details are available at this time. Thank you.”
From the publicist of Genghis Khan, Press release, July 1220
“Emperor Genghis Khan, all-powerful leader of the Mongols, would like to answer some unfair questions recently posed by the Mongolian media. Although Mr. Khan is known for pillaging, plundering, and total destruction of all who dare challenge his might, he fears he has been labeled a difficult person. Nothing could be further from the truth. Mr. Khan is a husband, father, and giver who relishes contributing to the community. That’s why Mr. Khan is proud to announce “Mongol Appreciation Day!” Hordes and their families are invited to a festival of food, games, and family fun. Activities will include axe throwing, goat jousting, and a hands-on torture demonstration. Mr. Khan hopes this will, once and for all, put to rest any assertions that he is anything but a charitable man. From now on those who make these assertions will be executed.”
No Peace without Justice, no Justice without the facts
[I now consult regularly Google News and The Nation. MM]
Iraq
W Post 11-15. Several US military commanders complained that the intransigence of the Shia Government of Iraq with regard to the Sunni insurgents is the key problem facing the US effort in Iraq, rather than al-Qaida, the Sunni insurgents or the Iran-backed militias. While attacks on US troops and Iraqi civilians have now declined, there is still no progress toward Shia-Sunni reconciliation. [or an oil law]
CNN 11-13. The cost of the six years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq is now $1,6 trillion, double the White House estimate. The President recently signed a $471 billion defense spending bill.
NY Times 11-15. The FBI reported that on Sept. 17, 2007 in Baghdad Blackwater security guards shot 14 Iraqis without cause. The Iraqi government has cancelled the license of Blackwater to operate in Iraq.
Israel/Palestine
Helene Cobban in The Nation, 11-19-07. “Helene Cobban, author and publisher of a blog, JustWorldNews.org, is a Friend in Washington for the Friends Committee on National Legislation.” (boldface mine)
“Facing Hamas and Hezbollah; Refusing to negotiate is an unrealistic policy,” she writes.
The Bush Administration has excluded Hamas from talks this month. This is said to be because the two organizations have not disarmed, physically and ideologically. No such demand has been placed on Israel. No such demand was placed on the Irish Republican Army before negotiations began.
Hamas and Hezbollah have sharply dissociated themselves with the 9-11 attacks. Both have won significant support in free and fair elections in their homelands. Both are willing to enter into cease-fire agreements with Israel. Both have the political strength to compel their followers to comply with such agreements.
United States
CNN 11-12. One out of four of the homeless are veterans.
Recruitment into the military is now below replacement levels.
ABC and AP 11-14 and Wikipedia. The son of Sandra Day O’Connor and John O’Connor announced that his father, who lives in Phoenix in a facility that cares for Alzheimer’s disease patients, has forgotten his wife and marriage, which began in 1952. He now has a sweetheart in the facility. “He is acting like a teenager in love,” said his son. A physician there said that such situations are not uncommon among Alzheimer’s patients.
Sandra Day O’Connor was physically and mentally fit when she resigned from the Supreme Court in early 2006. She said at the time that her husband was ill and she needed to take action for his sake. She is still physically and mentally fit.
Happiness in the US. NYTimes 11-12. Eduardo Porter op ed.
Happiness is clearly real and related to objective measures of well-being. Happier people have lower blood pressure and fewer colds. “People who live with teenagers are the unhappiest of all.”
“Most disconcerting, there seems to be little relationship to economic achievement, which we have historically understood as a driver of wellbeing.” While money boosts happiness, the effect does not last, as we adapt and raise our economic expectations higher. Happiness from non-monetary rewards can be more lasting – such as free time and agreeable social relationships.
Science
ABC News 11-14 and PBS 11-15. Scientists at the Oregon Primate Research Center have now cloned five day old monkey embryos and harvested an abundance of stem cells. From these embryos they can create neurons, heart, lung etc. cells identical to those of the donor. Successful cloning is close for human embryos to obtain stem cells that will not be rejected by the donor. In addition, this opens new opportunities to study genetic diseases.
Humor: USA Weekend, 11--9-11--07 by Bryan Tucker “Bad rap? Hire a publicist! If some of history’s most controversial figures had had the services of a publicist, they might be viewed differently today.”
From the publicist of Cleopatra, Press release, January, 41 B.C. :
“Recently several rumors have surfaced about our supreme leader of Egypt and a Roman triumvir named Mark Anthony after the two were spotted together at the Senate’s annual White Party. It should be stated for the record that Cleopatra and Mr. Anthony are just good friends. They enjoy each other’s platonic company, and they have several common interests, including travel, cooking, and bloodthirsty gladiator sports. Mr. Anthony remains happily married to his Roman wife, Fulvia, who supports his frequent business trips to Egypt. Today Mr. Anthony is proud to announce that his business in Egypt will be expanding as he has formed a joint partnership with Cleopatra to further study the relationship between these two great civilizations. This wonderful partnership will allow for Mr. Anthony to stay in Cleopatra’s royal suite for an extended period of time so that he may get a firsthand look at Egyptian society. No further details are available at this time. Thank you.”
From the publicist of Genghis Khan, Press release, July 1220
“Emperor Genghis Khan, all-powerful leader of the Mongols, would like to answer some unfair questions recently posed by the Mongolian media. Although Mr. Khan is known for pillaging, plundering, and total destruction of all who dare challenge his might, he fears he has been labeled a difficult person. Nothing could be further from the truth. Mr. Khan is a husband, father, and giver who relishes contributing to the community. That’s why Mr. Khan is proud to announce “Mongol Appreciation Day!” Hordes and their families are invited to a festival of food, games, and family fun. Activities will include axe throwing, goat jousting, and a hands-on torture demonstration. Mr. Khan hopes this will, once and for all, put to rest any assertions that he is anything but a charitable man. From now on those who make these assertions will be executed.”
posted by THE FLASHLIGHT at 6:50 AM
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