Update from the
Heartland
No.624
25.11.13 – 1.12.13
Blog version: http://heartlandupdate.blogspot.com/
To all,
I trust everyone enjoyed a
refreshing and rejuvenating Thanksgiving holiday celebration. Our life struggles seem miniscule
compared to those the citizens of this Grand Republic were dealing with when
President Lincoln issued his Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1863. May God bless those who wish to live in
peace.
The follow-up news items:
-- Aslan Soobzokov sent along the address of a new website
he created to defend his late father Tscherim Soobzokov, who was assassinated
by a small bomb outside his home in Patterson, New Jersey, on 04:30 [R] EDT,
Thursday, 15.August.1985 [480].
-- The confrontation between Japan and the People’s Republic
of China (PRC) over the Senkaku Islands [567,
574, 580, 582] continues. The PRC declared its East China Sea Air
Defense Identification Zone (ECSADIZ) that overlapped ADIZ boundaries established
by South Korea (RoK), Taiwan and Japan, and envelopes the Senkaku Islands. The ECSADIZ became effective as of 10:00
[H], Saturday, 23.November.2013.
The following day, the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) flew
two patrols near Senkaku causing the JASDF to scramble interceptors on both
occasions; those aircraft were undoubtedly armed. At 08:00 [H], Tuesday, 26.November.2013 {19:00 [R] EST,
Monday}, the United States added its weight to the regional issue by flying a
section of USAF B-52 heavy bombers over Senkaku without notification to the
PRC. I do not know whether the
PLAAF scrambled any of their fighters. You may recall the EP-3 mid-air collision
incident in April 2001, and that event was in international airspace off Hainan
Island. Yes, I suspect this is
going to come to blood before it is settled.
-- The State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Danbury
[Connecticut] issued his investigative report on the shootings in Newtown,
Connecticut, on Friday, 14.December.2012 [574]. The investigation concluded that Adam
Lanza, 20, was the lone shooter; his motive(s) remain unknown. The report also noted Lanza had been diagnosed
with Asperger's Syndrome, and did not like to be touched. He grew increasingly remote as he grew
older. Investigators established
that Lanza was obsessed with mass murders, especially the 1999 assault on
Columbine High School in Colorado.
There were signs. The Sandy
Hook massacre and its aftermath illuminate more clearly for me that We, the
People, are far more interested in using these tragedies to push our political
agendas than we are even remotely concerned about finding bona fide, balanced
solutions. How many more mentally
disturbed, untreated, disenfranchised, young males must we witness commit these
horrific crimes before we decide to focus our attention, energy and compassion
on the root cause, and decide to do something positive and constructive for the
living among us who need our help?
-- The agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI)
and the P5+1 (the permanent members of the UN Security Council [Britain,
France, People’s Republic of China, Russia and the United States] plus Germany)
regarding the IRI’s nuclear program [623],
met some serious resistance and opposition from Israel and Saudi Arabia. The Israelis and Saudis voiced their
concerns about the agreement from different perspectives, yet with a common
theme. Both Middle East countries
believe a nuclear-armed IRI poses ab unacceptable threat to their nations and
the region, if not the world. They
do not want to see IRI power and influence to increase with its neighbors, in
the region or internationally.
They believe the economic sanctions are working, and they do not
appreciate local agreements without their participation and consent. Both opposition countries appear to
perceive their influence with the United States waning, at least with the Obama
administration. As noted below, we
have not seen the agreement. The
Press reports the deal as a commitment by all parties to negotiate a permanent
arrangement. From my perspective,
lessening tensions with the IRI is good for world peace, but only if it is
truly verifiable. I want the
administration to be successful, just as I want a permanent peace in
Palestine. I hold no illusions
this process will be easy or without disturbances. Nonetheless, we can always hope.
Apparently, we are not the only ones
restrained by timidity.
“Putin's Gambit: How the EU Lost Ukraine – The
inability of European bureaucrats to keep up with the Kremlin's manipulations
-- or Kiev's political calculations -- has cost the EU a trade deal with
Ukraine, and severely damaged its foreign policy.
by SPIEGEL Staff
Der Spiegel [of Hamburg, Germany]
Published: November 25, 2013 – 07:16 PM
After the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics [1991], the Ukraine and other satellite countries sought closer ties
with the west, especially Europe, to gain independence, autonomy and freedom
they have not enjoyed since the consolidation of the October Revolution [1917-1927]. The Baltic States - Estonia, Latvia and
Lithuania – appear to have solidified their break from Russian/Soviet domination. The Ukraine, despite its valiant
attempt at independence with its Orange Revolution, has been falling farther
toward Russian domination. As with
Georgia and other former satellites, Europe and the United States seem impotent
to assist them in their quest of freedom.
As a former KGB colonel, Putin is simply too far back in his political
connection to Uncle Joe.
A friend and regular
contributor to this humble forum sent along this article for our cogitation:
“Corporations Should Pay a Living Wage or Face the Death
Penalty – Doing business is a privilege, not a right. Let's take our power
back.”
by Thom Hartmann
AlterNet.org
Published: November 27, 2013
Hartmann offers some good points to consider, although not
quite as balanced as I would like it.
The issue of “living wage” is too ambiguous and open to unrealistic
demands. Yet, the general drift is
spot on. Despite the Supremes,
corporations should have never been given personal rights of citizenship. Corporations are NOT citizens; they are only legal documents and
concepts. I like the idea of a
corporate death penalty . . . forced liquidation without reconstitution. Truth be told, I would rather have the
Supremes reverse their earlier rulings and declare what we all know –
corporations are not citizens and do not have the rights of citizenship. They certainly do not have the
accountability of citizenship.
Comments
and contributions from Update no.623:
“Re the Iran agreement: David Ignatius has good words to say
about the diplomacy and the deal . . . and if he is for it, that is a positive
sign.
“Bill Burns, #2 at State, was my boss in Moscow- he is an
excellent diplomat-.. low key and unflappable.”
URL:
“To reach Iran deal, secret diplomacy that worked”
by David Ignatius
Washington Post
Published: November 25 [2013]
My reply:
I
sure hope the proponents and advocates are correct on this one. I also hope this is but the first step
to an eventual reconciliation with Iran.
The consequences of this being a ruse de guerre are not
inconsequential.
Round Two:
“Well, with the planned inspections, this should at least
hold their development in place. Which is a good thing.
“Much of the criticism was knee-jerk, before the people had
even read what the agreement did.”
My reply to Round Two:
Yes,
getting inspectors on the ground is a good thing . . . if they have all nuclear
support sites covered and there are no hidden facilities.
As
is so often the case is our hyperpolarized political climate. Obama and his lieutenants can either do
no wrong or can never be correct.
Regardless of the political parochialism, time shall tell the tale. I certainly want this agreement to be
the beginning of reconciliation.
BTW, I meant to ask you earlier, are you playing in this
game?
Round Three:
“Not directly in this. We do nuclear safety and security,
and are more concerned about the reactor at Bushehr. Which might be a bigger
problem than what the fuss is about now. A lot of issues with that which aren't
being adequately addressed.”
My reply to Round
Three:
Then,
I suppose things will eventually get around to the Bushehr reactor. I hope you will not have to go to
Bushehr or anywhere in the IRI. Whatever duty calls, stay safe.
Round Four:
“Ha, ironically there was an earthquake yesterday near
Bushehr; no damage reported thru the IAEA. But one of the concerns we have with
the reactor.
“Actually would like to go to Iran, and if things move along
- might. Rather go to Bushehr, or wherever a reactor or facility is located.
Tehran has a terrible air pollution problem.”
My reply to Round Four:
Ironic,
indeed!
You’re
a better man than me. I’ve no
interest whatsoever of going to Iran, now, or anytime in the foreseeable
future.
Comment to the Blog:
“I agree with your statement that the too-big-to-fail
bankers were major contributors to the Great Recession. However, calling them a
‘coven’ is offensive to some of us. I know of no coven that would perpetrate
such malicious greed on the nation. Witches in general observe a principle that
what a person does comes back to them three-fold.
“Congress was the agent that eliminated Glass-Steagall and
passed the Financial
Modernization Act of 1999, but there's enough blame to share with
their owners. The campaign finance laws in this country allow ‘malefactors of
great wealth’ to control enough Senators and Representatives that they can make
their own rules.
“The change (by no means elimination) in the filibuster
process is the natural result of the abuse of an otherwise appropriate thing,
comparable to DUI laws. We have yet to see a ‘slippery slope’ effect on
filibusters other than judiciary nominees.
“I will note that JP Morgan Chase had planned during its
negotiations to settle the residential mortgage civil suit had planned to
recoup part of the $13 billion fine by taking a tax break on it. Business
continues as usual.
“The OECD cannot be seen as a progressive or generous
organization. If they believe we should ditch the debt ceiling, I have a
difficult time disagreeing with that.
“We may hope that UBS and Barclays bank will provide
evidence against the other crooks in the LIBOR scandal. It would be shameful if
the EU lets them simply get away with their fraud.
“The most interesting part of this week's update is the
article on ‘kludgeocracy.’ This crystallizes many of my own observations over
the years, certainly including the hazards of privatization but covering pretty
much everything discussed. If we can somehow bring focus to this issue, we will
address many of the malfunctions of government at the same time.
“I just picked up on your statement in a response last week.
“I do not recall having medical insurance in my youth.” That condition would have
ended when you joined the military, but another point matters more. Insurance
has become a necessity since then because of the many parties taking advantage
of sickness or the fear of it. Pretty much every party to medical care can take
a share of the blame. Hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, doctors, and
government each have made everything worse about sickness and wellness in this
nation along with the insurance companies.”
My response to the
Blog:
Re:
coven. I meant no disrespect to
honorable witches. I used the term
in the popular notional sense, which I am afraid is just another form of
stereotyping. My apologies. It would be nice if those greedy among
us did indeed suffer three-fold of what they have inflicted on the good
citizens of this Grand Republic.
Re:
campaign finance laws. Spot
on! With the Supremes gutting
McCain-Feingold and declaring inanimate corporations to be persons under the
Constitution, there is no telling how far the “greedy bastards” and their
ill-gotten gains will go to further corrupt the political infrastructure of
this Grand Republic.
Re: filibuster. If I understand your opinion correctly,
I would say we agree. The abuse of
the filibuster on presidential nominees has seemed to be predominately junior
minority senators seeking attention for their political agenda, and the senior
minority senators have been unwilling or unable to bring sanity to the
process. The gang of 14 tried a
few years back, but that initiative clearly did not last. I can accept the vote threshold change
for presidential nominees, as they never should have been subjected to super
majority requirements. I trust the
super majority threshold will remain for normal legislation and resolutions,
which it should remain.
Re:
business as usual. Criminal or
civil penalties, fines, or agreed to settlements to avoid prosecution or trial
should be specifically excluded from being allowed as business expense or tax
exclusion. A penalty should be a
penalty and it should hurt, not be just a cost of doing business.
Re:
debt limit. Once the U.S.
abandoned the gold standard in 1933, the debt limit has had no meaning other
than as an instrument of minority leverage and pseudo shock regarding the out
of control spending of Congress.
Likewise, I agree with the OECD; we should repeal §1 of 40 Stat. 288,
and let’s get serious about solving problems.
Re:
LIBOR. Spot on. I can only assume the EU believes there
are other banks more deeply involved than Barclays and UBS. If so, they clearly see something I do
not. The publicly available
information indicates they are the center of the scandal. I have no idea what the EU action means
with respect to other international governmental actions.
Re:
kludgeocracy. Perhaps the best
example of the USG kludgeocracy . . . the Internal Revenue Code. There are many more examples.
Re:
medical coverage. Yes, my medical
coverage began when I was 17yo and entered the military. I have been fortunate to have excellent
medical coverage all of my adult life.
I’m not sure how the medical business transition to this current,
insurance-based system, but that is what we have and we cannot envision any
other system.
My very best wishes to all. Take care of yourselves and each other.
Cheers,
Cap :-)
2 comments:
The confrontation between China and Japan reads like the setup in an apocalyptic novel. Fortunately for all of us, we are not condemned to live in a novel. Situations going back at least to the Bay of Pigs mess have offered national leaders opportunities to destroy the world, but so far they have yet to do that.
The person best situated to prevent the Newtown shooter, Adam Lanza, from committing his crimes was his mother. Unfortunately, as is common with mothers of sick and/or dysfunctional people, she did not see fit to do anything effective to change his condition or to prevent it from affecting others. I find it of personal interest that he was an Asperger’s person because that is the diagnosis most like my own. Clearly, the results of having a given diagnosis can vary wildly. Detecting who is likely to commit violent acts involves immense complexity, partly because the causes of many mental illnesses have yet to be established, rendering accurate diagnosis and effective treatment very difficult. In the current example, the causes of my diagnosis are relatively well known and are tied to specific parts of the brain. Asperger’s, which appears similar even to experts, has different and poorly established causes. Add to all that the difficulties in the ways “normal” people think and act and it becomes understandable that people like Adam Lanza go unnoticed. Not acceptable, but understandable.
We shall see what we shall see with Iran, Syria, et al. The Middle East cannot be controlled and the rest of the world is foolish to attempt it after so many prior failed efforts.
The Ukraine suffers from the conflict/competition between the EU and Russia, neither of which has Ukraine’s interests at heart.
I have emphasized the importance of reliable sources before. I sent that article from alternet because I felt it was clear and well supported, but alternet is as progressive as I am. They would not be likely to offer views friendly to large corporations. I have advocated for a corporate death penalty before. This seems blindingly obvious: if corporations want the privileges of people, they must assume the responsibilities of people and suffer the penalties of wrong behavior.
I have achieved Medicaid coverage beginning in January if current conditions continue. While Medicaid leaves something to be desired in terms of coverage, at least I will not be coping with healthcare.gov any time soon.
Calvin,
Re: Senkaku situation. An apocalyptic novel . . . indeed! We can only hope this situation does not continue to escalate, although the PRC seems determined to do so.
Re: disturbed folks. Yes, precisely, the parents are best situated to recognize their disturbed children. As I understand things, Nancy Lanza did recognize her son’s problems and sought medical treatment for her son from every source she could think of in her position, to no avail. She was not the only one, the separated father, the brother, school officials, possibly neighbors or police. The problem as I see it is not initial detection, but the lack of mental health triage filtration and processing for professionals to assess and intervene. I have no idea whether Adam Lanza might have had his illness controlled with medication or whether he needed to be institutionalized for more reliable, continuous, proper, medical care. From a support perspective, the assessment & treatment facilities must have flexible application, i.e., maintaining a comprehensive mental health system for one Adam Lanza is not cost effective. While we must construct that system, we must also solve the economic efficiency aspect of that system as well. Adam Lanza was not “unnoticed”; those that noticed had no means to seek professional assistance. I do agree: “not acceptable, but understandable.”
Re: Middle East. I do not think we seek control. To me, the objective is restraint, i.e., elimination of the exportation of violence. I see repressive countries quite like drug addicts, minimize/eliminate the collateral damage and leave them to their own choices. If Afghans want tribal war, fine, have at it, just don’t hurt anyone else. Of course, even my approach has its limits, e.g., Rwanda.
Re: Ukraine. I dare say the EU is much closer to having Ukrainian interests at heart than Russia. I do not see Putin as much different from Stalin, perhaps not as bloody, but certainly as dictatorial and territorial. The Russians have been driven for centuries to control sacrificial buffer territory between them and their perceived threats. The Ukraine has historically been one of those buffer states.
Re: corporations. Spot on, brother. Although I must say, the Supremes are wrong! Corporations are not citizens; they do not deserve the rights of citizenship. Since the Supremes have decided they have those rights, then we must have a far more punitive accountability system and will to enforce. Fines & penalties are simply NOT adequate. Far too many corporate criminals are walking free with their mountains of money and ill-gotten gains.
Congratulations on your coverage. Hopefully, it will lessen the burdens of life.
Cheers,
Cap
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