Update no.615

Update from the Heartland

No.615

23.9.13 – 29.9.13

Blog version:  http://heartlandupdate.blogspot.com/

To all,

We have many important issues before the Congress, yet our esteemed political representatives have apparently decided the fragile economic recovery from the Great Recession was going just a little too well, and we needed to take a step or two backward.  We long past failed to enact a proper budget, which then meant we needed another extension.  I cannot recall how long ago it was that we had a properly enacted budget for the federal government – a dozen or more years I surmise.  After releasing the tension on the trigger over Syrian chemical weapons use, the House of Representatives passed H J Res. 59 – Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014, by a vote of 230-189-0-13(3), with a number of little pearl goodies imbedded for their buddies and money men, but they only extended the long-in-the-tooth budget until 15.December.2013.  The Senate picked up the bill only to be entertained by Senator Rafael Edward “Ted” Cruz of Texas, assisted by Senators Marco Antonio Rubio of Florida and Randal Howard “Rand” Paul of Kentucky, as he held the floor for 21 hours 19 minutes in a yet another lame attempt to defund the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) [PL 111-148; 124 Stat. 119; 23.March.2010] [432].  The Senate amended the bill to strip out the PPACA defunding provision and passed H J Res. 59 by a vote of 54-44-0-2(0).  The House then voted on the resolution with an additional provision to delay the implementation of PPACA by one year [231-192-0-8(4)], which in turns sends it back to the Senate.  Oddly, in all this worthless political wrangling PPACA will become effective on 1.October.2013, regardless of congressional budgetary action.

            There is no doubt in my little pea-brain that the PPACA has created enormous confusion, concern, apprehension and a burgeoning politically motivated disinformation campaign intended to scare the hell out of people.  Companies are struggling to understand the financial consequences to their profits as well as the impact on their employees.  I am less than a year from retirement.  I do not consider myself an ignorant man, but this whole fiasco has jacked up my worries with the daunting process of transition from employer-provided, group insurance to Medicare and TriCare for Life (military).  I feel I must be in pretty good shape thanks in no small part to my military service.  However, this seems to be a minefield to me, where one misstep could be fatal, given my current medical state.  I know I should not be whining, as there are others reading these Updates who have no medical insurance coverage.  My concerns have caused me to consider delaying retirement until all this crap gets squared away; than again, with the dysfunction of Congress, it may never be squared away.

            Lastly, Congress is an institution of compromise by design.  As with all compromise, we must choose the fights and the tactics to achieve our objectives.  Frontal assault is necessary and occasionally successful, usually when overwhelming force is available and other alternatives are less workable.  Unfortunately, as has been graphically demonstrated far too many times, the frontal assault turns into a meat grinder.  Using the constitutionally required budgetary process or the national debt as a perceived tool of extortion is a frontal assault.   The Tea Party Republicans are turning the crank on the meat grinder.  I understand the concern of some over the implementation of PPACA, as noted above; however, improvement would seem to be a more productive endeavor than destruction.  I have no idea what it will take to gain a Congress that understands its purpose and proper processes.  I suspect a generation or several.  Somehow, we must return to a state of compromise and abandon the extortion of a scorched earth policy by a small minority of the opposition party.  This intransigence must change.

The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2118 by a vote of 15-0-0 to demand Syria destroy its stockpiles of chemical weapons by 30.June.2014.  I would like to offer congratulations to Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov of Russia and Secretary of State John Forbes Kerry on the accomplishment of their negotiations; however, I remain skeptical whether Syria will comply, and I am disappointed in the time frame.  The Ghouta event [611, 614] was neither the first nor the last use of chemical weapons by the al-Assad regime.  The other events noted so far:

19.3.13 - Khan al-Assal – noted earlier in Update no. 592

13.4.13 - Sheikh Maqsoud

29.4.13 – Saraqeb

World reaction was only words and saber rattling.  Syria saw no consequences.

21.8.13 – Ghouta [611, 614]  – this is the attack that got everyone stirred up.  Since the Ghouta attack, there are been more attacks near Damascus:

22.8.13 - Bahhariya

24.9.13 - Jobar

25.8.13 - Ashrafieh Sahnaya

It is important to note Israeli reports of Syrians moving chemical weapons to Lebanon [581] much like Saddam Hussein moved Iraqi chemical weapons to Syria before Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.  I want the diplomacy to work, but more importantly, we need those chemical weapons destroyed before they fall into the hands of al-Qa’ida or any other of the myriad terrorist groups intend upon doing harm to the citizens of western countries.  The longer they exist, the greater the threat to western nations.

News from the economic front:

-- HSBC Holdings PLC reported its preliminary assessment of the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for the People’s Republic of China (PRC) rose to 51.2 in September from a final reading of 50.1 in August.  The rising PMI above 50 indicates the PRC’s economy is strengthening.

London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) Debacle [552]:

-- U.S. and U.K. regulators fined interdealer broker ICAP PLC a total of US$87M for the brokerage firm's contribution to the LIBOR debacle.  Separately, the U.S. Department of Justice charged three former ICAP brokers with criminal conduct for their part in the company’s LIBOR activities.

-- So we don’t lose focus . . . the infamous 16, involved, international banks are:

·      Barclays [UK] – US$454M fine [550]; Singapore sanctions [600]

·      Bank of America [U.S.] – Singapore sanctions [600]

·      BTMU [Japan] – Singapore sanctions [600]

·      Citigroup [U.S.] – Singapore sanctions [600]

·      Credit Suisse [Switzerland] – Singapore sanctions [600]

·      Deutsche Bank [Germany] – US$654M LIBOR profit [578]; set aside €500M (US$641M) for LIBOR liability [589]; Singapore sanctions [600]

·      Lloyds TSB [UK]

·      HSBC [UK] – Singapore sanctions [600]

·      HBOS [UK]

·      JPMorgan Chase [U.S.] – Singapore sanctions [600]

·      Norinchuckin [Japan]

·      Rabobank [Netherlands]

·      RBC [Canada]

·      RBS [UK] – £390M (US$612.6M) in fines, 21 employees involved [582]; Singapore sanctions [600]

·      UBS [Switzerland] – US$1.5B fine, two charged [575]; Singapore sanctions [600]

·      West LB [Germany]

Added to the list by the Monetary Authority of Singapore [600]:

·      ING [Netherlands] – Singapore sanctions [600]

·      BNP Paribas [France] – Singapore sanctions [600]

·      Crédit Agricole [France] – Singapore sanctions [600]

·      DBS [Singapore] – Singapore sanctions [600]

·      Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation [Singapore] – Singapore sanctions [600]

·      Standard Chartered [UK] – Singapore sanctions [600]

·      United Overseas Bank [Singapore] – Singapore sanctions [600]

·      Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. [Australia] – Singapore sanctions [600]

·      Macquarie [Australia] – Singapore sanctions [600]

·      Commerzbank [Germany] – Singapore sanctions [600]

Others involved:

·      ICAP [UK] – fined US$87M + three executives charged [615]

I trust none of us will lose sight of what these banks have done.  Lest we forget!

Comments and contributions from Update no.614:

Comment to the Blog:

“Your statement, ‘Although the OPCW/WHO team made no attempt to attribute responsibility, I think there is very little doubt where responsibility lays’ is irresponsible and unsupported. We know no more than we did before about the source of the attacks.

“The articles to which you link about the Navy Yard shootings deal with gun control, not mental illness. Funding to treat mental illness has been cut again and again, often by the same characters who attribute mass shootings to that cause rather than deal with the abundance of firearms. They could be right about disturbed minds causing at least some of the killing, but I have a question. If they perceive mental illness as the cause of these tragedies, why do they not increase funding to find and treat at least the most dangerous of the mentally ill?

“The Marine Corps corporal’s presentation on porn and suicide to which you linked is 38 minutes long. I cannot spare that much time.

“The link to the story about gay marriage supposedly conflicting with religious liberty did not work for me. (Windows 7, Chrome 29.0 browser) We have discussed this topic before. My position is simple. If a person opposes gay marriage, that person ought not to marry someone of the same gender. If they are clergy, as I am, they already have the choice of whether or not to perform the marriage ceremony for any couple that requests it, including same-sex couples. I assume those whose religious convictions oppose same-sex marriage will continue to refuse to sanctify such marriages. I will pick up their slack in my local area.

“However, they have no say in anyone else’s marriage, nor should they. I recommend boycotts for dealing with small businesses that insist on a bigoted stance. They need to know that customers control their success or failure. Thus, they are free to remain prejudiced and act on their bias so long as they are willing to pay the price. I doubt many will cling to their stance long enough to go bankrupt, but I could be wrong. Either way would benefit society.”

My response to the Blog:

            Re: responsible.  In most investigations – accidents, engineering, criminal – there is rarely the smoking gun.  Investigators must examine the available evidence, connect the dots, and derive the probable cause as best they can.  Given the facts we know, without the proverbial smoking gun, we must ask who had the capacity, capability and motive?  Is it possible the rebels acquired a multiple rocket launcher capable of launching Russian chemical rockets and attacked their supporters?  Yes, of course.  It is also possible the IRI did it to instigate the U.S. to attack?  Yes, of course.  Is it possible the United States made the chemical attack to create an excuse for military action?  I suppose that is possible as well.  However, given the potential perpetrators, who is the most likely?  Thus, my opinion.

            Re: gun control.  The point I apparently failed to make in last week’s Update [614] was it is time to move on from the incessant debate about firearms and focus our energies on the root cause – mental health screening and treatment.  You asked a very pertinent question.  My answer: I have no freakin’ idea.  Perhaps it is because mental health intervention is not politically popular.  Part of the difficulty in health treatment is broadly a state burden, although Medicare and PPACA are federal health related laws.  With the struggle to mature PPACA, it will be virtually impossible to get the attention of Congress.  We can debate as much as we wish.

            Re: Hicks presentation.  Yes, it is long, but he does make a scholarly case for conservative morality, albeit decidedly biased rather than expansive.  It’s there if you ever get the time or curiosity.

            Re: gay marriage.  Your opinion should be the standard for all morality questions – if you don’t approve, don’t do it, and leave others to their pursuit of Happiness.  Religious beliefs do NOT give anyone the right to impose their beliefs on others . . . that was my point.

            Re: boycott.  The action is a personal choice.  The law has long recognized that businesses open to the public cannot discriminate based on any of the social factors.  The conflict in this case stands upon company-paid benefits.  It is a misty line worthy of public debate.

My very best wishes to all.  Take care of yourselves and each other.

Cheers,

Cap                        :-)

Update no.614

Update from the Heartland

No.614

16.9.13 – 22.9.13

Blog version:  http://heartlandupdate.blogspot.com/

To all,

The follow-up news items:

-- The United Nations’ Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the World Health Organization (WHO) released their report confirming the use of chemical weapons in the Ghouta District of Damascus, Syria, on Thursday, 21.August.2013 [611].  The report concluded: “the environmental, chemical and medical samples we have collected provide clear and convincing evidence that surface-to-surface rockets containing the nerve agent Sarin were used in the Ein Tarma, Moadamiyah and Zamalka in the Ghouta area of Damascus.”  Five impact sites were identified and examined.  The rocket-propelled cannisters used were essentially the same, with Cyrillic markings, and each device was approximately 2 meters (6 feet) in length and carried 56 liters (15 gallons) of the organophosphorous compound known as Sarin (GB).  Inspectors estimated the total amount of Sarin material deployed that day was 350 liters (92 gallons) – enough to kill quite a few people, well actually any living creature in the area.  Trajectories could be established on only two of the impacts sites and appeared to have been fired from the same location northwest of the target area, probably using a multiple launch system.  Although the OPCW/WHO team made no attempt to attribute responsibility, I think there is very little doubt where responsibility lays.

-- The engineer in me simply cannot pass up the extraordinary achievement of the salvage team working on recovery of the SS Costa Concordia [527].  At 04:00 [A] EuDT, Tuesday, 17.September.2013, the team completed the19-hour critical parbuckling operation after the ship struck a rock, grounded and capsized [13.January.2012].  They erected the 50,000-ton ship onto a manufactured and installed sub-surface platform to stabilize the wreckage and prepare to refloat it without doing any more damage to the fragile coastline.  Ya gotta love it.  Most impressive!

Another long-term, mentally disturbed individual decided to demonstrate his anger or frustration with a firearm.  This time it was Aaron Alexis, 34, who managed to get a Remington 870 shotgun into Building 197 at the Washington Navy Yard – home of the Naval Sea Systems Command.  He bought the weapon legally, and then sawed off the barrel and stock to fit it into a duffel bag he carried past security into the facility.  He killed 12 people and wounded at least a dozen others before he was terminated by security services.  Initial reports had him using an assault rifle and semi-automatic pistol, which is turns out he took off a security guard he shot.

            Of course, as always, opinions abound.  I selected two:

“Another mass murder, another conversation”

by Kathleen Parker,

Washington Post

Published: September 17 (2013)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/kathleen-parker-another-mass-shooting-another-conversation/2013/09/17/86bd7302-1fdd-11e3-8459-657e0c72fec8_story.html?wpisrc=nl_opinions

and

“After Navy Yard shooting, RIP for gun control – Why can’t conservatives just take the win on gun rights?”

by Dana Milbank

Washington Post

Published: September 17 (2013)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dana-milbank-after-navy-yard-shooting-rip-for-gun-control/2013/09/17/c95fb606-1fd4-11e3-94a2-6c66b668ea55_story.html

We can continue to yammer on about firearms and how nasty these weapons are, or we can move on to the root cause of these events.  The choice is ours. 

            The root cause in so many of these mass shootings, as it appears in this latest incident is the troubled minds of these characters.  They are created, both genetically and environmentally, or any combination thereof.  They exhibit signs of disturbance within; yet, we tend to ignore them – the Genovese Syndrome [13.March.1964].  If we are going to stop, intervene or eliminate these tragic events, We, the People, must acquire the will to find and help these troubled souls before they erupt into serious collateral damage.  Parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, and just acquaintances have nowhere to turn for help.  Mental health has not been addressed seriously, especially in the screening and intervention of troubled souls.  Locking them up or isolating them is probably not the answer, but segregation to prevent collateral damage might at least address the immediate threat, and it must be combined with bona fide treatment to stabilize and normalize the individual.

            The issue and its remedy have similarities to the equally moral abortion question (among others).  How much do we intrude into the private lives of individual citizens?  The consequences and objectives are elimination of the tragic collateral damage.  We have not found balance as yet.

“It Takes a Marine Corporal: Presentation on Porn & Suicide in the Military”

by Lance Corporal Drew Hicks, USMC

Posted on YouTube: 23.8.2013

http://youtu.be/zZHGimldI5w

The Hicks presentation attracted quite the hype.  It is intriguing that a young lance corporal garnered such attention.  He offered a contemporary version of a perennial, popular, social conservative theme – only they can decide what is best for everyone.  While Hicks makes his point with a compelling condemnation, he does not offer a solution that respects the privacy and freedom of choice that are the bedrock of this Grand Republic.  It was an impressive presentation, but I do not buy it.  Pornography does not cause sexual assault or suicide.  Once again, we are asked to focus on the symptoms rather than the root cause.

“Gay Marriage Collides With Religious Liberty – Owners of small businesses are finding that honoring their faith can get them in trouble.”

Wall Street Journal

Published: September 19, 2013, 6:59 p.m. ET

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324665604579081742146908298.html?mod=djemEditorialPage_h

I own a restaurant, and I do not want to serve anyone who does not have Caucasian features and skin color.  Does my status as a business owner give me the right to discriminate against anyone based on any one or a combination of the social factors?

News from the economic front:

-- J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. will pay US$920M in penalties to UK and U.S. authorities as part of a settlement related to the bank’s handling of the "London Whale" trading loss last year.  The bank is also expected to admit guilt as part of its settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  Regulators accused the firm of failing to adequately supervise traders and for lacking sufficient internal policies to prevent an alleged cover-up of their losses on the gambling bets the made, which ultimately lost the company more than US$6B.  Now, they must add nearly a billion of additional losses, which will undoubtedly be passed along with shareholders and customers.

-- The Federal Reserve decided to keep its US$85B-per-month bond-buying program in place, citing their need to see more evidence that the economy can sustain improvement before scaling back the stimulation.

London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) Debacle [552]:

-- Two former Barclays plc employees agreed to a deal with UK & U.S. authorities.  Details have not been disclosed, as yet.  I suspect this deal is part of the prosecution’s line-up of smaller fish witnesses as they go after the bigger perpetrators in this nasty, odiferous pond.

Comments and contributions from Update no.613:

Comment to the Blog:

“I believe the people have pretty much already spoken on the Syria issue. It would be convenient to formalize our refusal to go to war, but better to wait until the negotiations end and the process is underway. The fact is, we care about people worldwide but recognize the need to deal with our own issues first. In addition, rhetoric aside, nobody has shown who used that sarin gas.

“I thoroughly agree with you on the Virginia sodomy statute or any similar measure. Anyone who claims this is a free country when someone can poke their nose into my bedroom is not paying attention. The case smells like nonsense. I expect that you are aware that Attorney General Cuccinelli is running for governor. More than likely, he will use this case to court the votes of the less rational.

“In a more thoughtful world, the U.S. brass in South Korea would recognize the failure of punitive measures in addressing prostitution and human trafficking. The legitimate issue of human trafficking could be far better addressed by your suggestion of legalization and regulation. If prostitutes were required to register and show ID, that might just end human trafficking for the most part.

“Your post for last week did not refer to territorial gain, which is outdated in any case. You referred to abusing our authority. We have abused power in those places I mentioned for control of governments and, thus, of natural and human resources. Territorial gain is long out of fashion as a way to enrich the home country.

“I remember the Kitty Genovese case well enough. The outrage was over bystanders not interfering in a murder. In the case of Syria, we don’t know who is doing the killing, or rather who is using which weapons. Beyond that, we have attempted to be the world’s policeman (usually for corporate profit) for far too long. It’s time to let someone else or better yet a group of nations take over the losses of money and lives that we as a people have suffered since World War II and let the corporations making the profits take care of themselves.”

My response to the Blog:

            Re: Syria.  The techniques of obfuscation and procrastination are chronicled quite well in history – Hitler said he came in peace and just wanted this one more little sliver of land with ethnic Germans taken from him by that damnable treaty, or the ayatollahs of the IRI, or grand dear leader umpa-lumpa in the DPRK.  You are correct.  We have no proof beyond a reasonable doubt who pressed the button to fire those sarin laden rockets into the Damascus neighborhood.  The details in the UN report leaves very little doubt, but still does not unequivocally link those rockets to Bashar al-Assad’s finger pressing that launch button.  Hitler never visited Auschwitz, but is there any doubt who is responsible for releasing Xyklon B into those “shower” rooms?  To me, there is very little doubt who pushed the button.  Nonetheless, as you say, We, the People, have spoken . . . we don’t care.  Oh well, such is life . . . and so it goes.

            Re: Cuccinelli.  Yes, quite aware.  The more we can illuminate the moral projectionists among us, the more quickly we can return to the freedom we expect.

            Re: prostitution.  My opinion as well.  Prohibition in a free society will never work.  Legalization after prohibition is almost as wrong as the original wrong.  Regulation is necessary and required to protect providers and customers, and exclude the criminal element – the consequences of legalization without regulation appear to be unfolding in Colorado.  As you note, licensing of practitioners is mandatory for a host of reasons, including the one you suggested.

            Re: standing by.  Her problem.  Their problem.  Not my dog.  So it shall be.

My very best wishes to all.  Take care of yourselves and each other.

Cheers,

Cap                        :-)

Update no.613

Update from the Heartland

No.613

9.9.13 – 15.9.13

Blog version:  http://heartlandupdate.blogspot.com/

To all,

The follow-up news items:

-- On 10.September.2013, President Obama spoke to the citizens of this Grand Republic regarding the situation in Syria and specifically the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons in a suburb of Damascus.  His speech was not one of his best; he seemed very tired and not on his game.  The Russian initiative to coax the Syrians to relinquish all of their chemical weapons for destruction fundamentally altered the calculus regarding international reaction to the al-Assad regime’s use of sarin gas [611, 612].  With Putin’s initiative, Congress suspended consideration of S.J. RES. 21 – “Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against the Government of Syria to Respond to Use of Chemical Weapons.”  The UN is scheduled to release its inspection findings report early next week.  Secretary of State Kerry apparently reached a deal with Foreign Minister Lavrov on how to proceed with the neutralization of Syria’s chemical weapons.  Personally, I think the President should have pressed Congress for the authorization as a tool in the unfolding events.  If Congress refused, then the American People would have spoken – we do not care.  If the Russian initiative works, I will be the first to congratulate President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov.  Diplomacy is far better than the use of military force, only if it is successful.  We shall see how this plays out, now.

In Update no.610, I illuminated the intention of Virginia Attorney General Kenneth Thomas “Ken” Cuccinelli [610] to appeal the 4^th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in the case of MacDonald v. Moose [4CCA no. 11–7427 (2013)].  The three-judge panel invalidated the Virginia statute [Va.Code §18.2–361(A)] as an unconstitutional violation of MacDonald’s Due Process rights under the 14^th Amendment.

            On the evening of 23.September.2004, William Scott MacDonald, 47, telephoned Amanda Johnson, 17, whom he met through a mutual acquaintance.  MacDonald and Johnson arranged to meet at the Home Depot parking lot in Colonial Heights, Virginia. When they arrived at the parking lot, MacDonald got into Johnson's vehicle and they drove to the nearby home of Johnson's grandmother.  MacDonald asked her to fellate him and suggested that they have sex in a shed in the backyard.  Johnson declined both proposals; no physical contact occurred.  Johnson drove MacDonald back to the Home Depot parking lot.  Oddly, MacDonald was arrested on 25.January.2005 – four month later. He was prosecuted in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court of Colonial Heights.  After a bench trial, MacDonald was convicted on 2.August.2005, of the misdemeanor offense of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and the felony offense of solicitation to commit a felony, namely sodomy.

            Sodomy is defined as any penetration other than vaginal, or in the words of the Virginia statute [Va.Code §18.2–361(A)], “‘carnal knowledge’ by one person of another by the anus or mouth” – a felony.  Sodomy may be a sin against God, but that is between the individuals involved and God, isn’t it!  The law has no place in such private matters.  I can understand and appreciate the objection to such acts by many, perhaps even most, citizens of this Grand Republic; yet, again, that is a personal, private choice, and not a matter of State interest. As such, all sodomy laws in any form should be voided as soon as possible as an inappropriate exceedance of State authority.

             The issue in this case may have been MacDonald’s conduct with what the state considered a minor child, but even on that point, I must question that element.  There are many elements to this case that trigger my suspicion and doubt.  The prosecution of MacDonald reeks of selective, arbitrary and punitive prosecution, i.e., using the law because he offended the prosecutor’s personal morality.  This case stinks in more ways than one.  Nonetheless, I expect the Supremes will reject the appeal, leaving the 4^th Circuit decision standing.  Sodomy laws have no place in law within a free society, and they are all unconstitutional.  Government must be removed from our private lives and affairs.

Another news item further accentuate the consequences of moral projection in a free society.

“U.S. forces cracking down on human trafficking in Korea”

by Brian Everstine

Marine Corps Times

Published: Sep. 6, 2013 - 06:00AM  

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20130906/NEWS06/309060027/U-S-forces-cracking-down-human-trafficking-Korea

Again, I understand the concerns of military commanders for good order and discipline.  I also understand the moral objection of senior commanders in South Korea, or anywhere for that matter.  Using this tool – because we can – is not the way to handle a natural phenomenon that has existed for millennia.  Human trafficking is wrong at all levels; there will never be a justification or rationale for the disgusting process.  However, I argue that legalization and regulation can be a far more effective means of dealing with that terrible side of prostitution.  Human trafficking flourishes because it is illegal and as a consequence there is a lot of money to be made by the smugglers and traffickers.  The root activity is a private matter between consenting adults . . . well, rather it should be, a simple business transaction for services rendered.  Prohibition is rarely a productive endeavor in a free society.  Let us focus on the root cause rather than the obvious symptoms.  We really need to grow up about sex.  I’m just sayin’.

Comments and contributions from Update no.612:

“I respectfully and predictably disagree with your typically loyal endorsement of whatever Obama chooses to do about Syria.  Please admit that not once, not even once, have the loyalists on his cabinet or in the DOD or anywhere else dared to even claim that there is any direct irrefutable evidence of who is responsible for the tragic gassing of Syrians.  The entire message is ‘Oh, this is horrible and we must not stand for it, so we must punish Assad or loose our credibility...’  Of all the pros and cons concerning the risk of military action, none is a convincing argument for military action at this time because the downsides of inaction are no worse than and are much much safer than action.  For once I agree with Putin:  until we can prove who is responsible for this outrage, we should not attack anyone.  Meanwhile, as my earlier responses to your eridite Updates have implied, I say beg the Arabs to save the Arabs and promise them with fingers crossed years of more oil purchases in return.”

My response:

            I suppose in a snapshot of my opinions it may appear to be a “typically loyal endorsement of whatever.”  I do believe if you went back to my Update opinions during the previous administration (Bush 43), you would find quite similar opinions.  I remain critical of every President and every politician or leader, yet I believe those who hold high office deserve deference and respect.

            Re: there is no “direct irrefutable evidence of who is responsible.”  Agreed . . . just as there was no such evidence against Saddam Hussein, or even Adolf Hitler, for that matter.  The reality is, these guys are clever enough to not put their fingers on the trigger and keep sufficient distance for plausible deniability.  I would further say the likes of Ruhollah Khomeini and Ali Khamenei are quite adept at encouraging surrogates and surrogates of surrogates to do their bidding.  To my knowledge, none of these men ever killed a person themselves, and I am certain Bashar al-Assad fits nicely in that group.

            We have numerous instances in our lifetime where atrocities have been committed, e.g., Ruwanda, Kosovo, Sudan, et al ad infinitum.  It is easy to take the isolationist perspective . . . not my dog.  The challenge is always, where do we draw the line?  How long do we tolerate massacres, slaughter and genocide?  I am a former warrior who believes the military must be the choice of last resort.  This instance is no different

            Re: “erudite Updates.”  Thank you for the compliment; I do try to be thorough.

Comment to the Blog:

“The evidence shows, or seems to show, that sarin gas has been used in Syria. All sides claim to have evidence about who used it, but nobody has actually produced such evidence. The entire civil war might well go unnoticed here but for the important oil pipeline that crosses Syria for the export of oil from Iraq.

“Your statement that, ‘The last time the United States used its power for questionable purposes was the Spanish-American War (1893)’ takes my breath away. You exclude the Cold War, Vietnam, Nicaragua, Chile, Iraq and Pakistan along with sundry smaller actions. Grenada is a minor example.

“At what point did we acquire the moral authority to punish or discipline other nations? If we have such a thing we need to rid ourselves of it as soon as possible. It costs us too much in money, lives and prestige.”

My reply to the Blog:

            Re: Sarin.  The chemical is comparatively easy to manufacture, not so easy to store, transport and deploy safely.  Nonetheless, other terrorist groups managed to overcome the difficulties, e.g., Aum Shinrikyo (20.March.1995).  Saddam Hussein used Sarin with devastating results (16.March.1988).  I have no doubt al-Qa’ida has the capability to produce Sarin.  Yet, of all the players in Syria, the government is the only group that holds stockpiles of the chemical agent.  They are the most likely culprits.  I choose to trust the government as they have access to intelligence we do not and should not see for 20-50 years.  We must trust the people we elect to those positions with such monumental decisions.

            I must draw attention to your typo – the Spanish-American War began in 1898 vice 1893.  The last time we fought a war for territorial gain was 1898.  None of the examples you offered had territorial gain, not even World War II.  We can argue the political motives in any of your examples.  If you wish to debate those political motives, pick one and let’s get it on.

            Re: “moral authority.”  Good point.  We do not.  Nonetheless, there is a line out there somewhere.  We could use the Catherine Susan ‘Kitty’ Genovese tragedy (13.April.1964) on the international stage as a worthy example.  Do we simply observe murder and say, not my dog?

            Life is full of hard choices.  All of us must choose when presented with an immoral event.

My very best wishes to all.  Take care of yourselves and each other.

Cheers,

Cap                        :-)

Update no.612

Update from the Heartland

No.612

2.9.13 – 8.9.13

Blog version:  http://heartlandupdate.blogspot.com/

To all,

The follow-up news items:

-- The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 10-7-1-0(0) to approve a congressional resolution authorizing the President to use military force against Syria as a consequence of the al-Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons on 21.August.2013 [611].  The Senate should vote on their version of the resolution next week.  Congress returns on 9.September, and the House will begin its deliberations.

            If I was a conspiracist or inclined toward the reasoning President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin of Russia, we have not seen proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Bashar al-Assad ordered and Syrian military forces executed the chemical attack, using Sarin [GB] gas that killed 1,400+, included 400+ children.  Imagine if you will, as an al-Qa’ida strategist, the perfect plan . . . release some Sarin gas, kill a bunch of innocent people, stimulate the U.S. to eliminate the regime’s air assets, command & control, communications, intelligence, armor, and other resources of the Syrian government.  In essence, we get the United States to take out the government, so our Islamist brothers can take control and create another fundamentalist Islamic state.  In my conspiracy scenario, al-Qa’ida must have developed the means to produce, store, transport and deploy the chemical agent.

            While the above scenario is plausible, I do not believe it happened that way.  The al-Assad family spent many years purposely creating and stockpiling chemical weapons.  I also suspect the USG has more direct evidence.  The Executive is charged by the Constitution to protect our national security.  They are not obligated to expose means and methods to feed our curiosity.  A bloody, brutal, civil war is one thing; the use of chemical weapons is entirely a different matter.  I trust the President to make the correct decision for our protection.

I love this one . . . he said with all the sarcasm he could muster.

“EU Backs 'Clear and Strong' Response to Syria Attack – Foreign Ministers Say There Is 'Strong Evidence' Regime Was Behind Use of Chemical Weapons

by Laurence Norman

Wall Street Journal

Published: September 7, 2013, 8:44 a.m. ET

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323623304579060692417802108.html?mod=djemalertNEWS

Yeah, ain’t it nice, let’s encourage Barack to do the dirty work, so we don’t have to get out hands dirty or piss off the Muslims anymore than we already have.  I am not sure what this really means.  At least France has stood up to the mark.  The administration claims there are double-digit, unspecified nations prepared to participate in or support a military action against the Syrian regime. 

Juxtaposed against the backdrop of Syria, the nonsense from Europe, and the President’s request for a congressional sanction, a friend and frequent contributor passed along the following opinion piece.

“SPEAKING FREELY – Obama challenges pathology of power”

by Dallas Darling

Asia Times

Published: 3.September.2013

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/World/WOR-06-030913.html

Straight up, I cannot agree with much of anything in Darling’s opinion, but he does seem to express a perspective maintained by more than a few who hold the economic, financial and military power of the United States of America with some degree of contempt.  To the point, the last time the United States used its power for questionable purposes was the Spanish-American War (1898), in my humble opinion.  We might argue for the inclusion of the Grenada incursion (1983), but I think President Reagan had some but not overwhelmingly compelling reasons for pulling the trigger in that instance.  However, the notion that U.S. military power or the President’s authority to use that military power is the greatest menace to peace ignores history and defies logical observation.

Then, we have this little gem.

“U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon warns G-20 leaders against possible military action in Syria”

by Colum Lynch

Washington Post

Published: September 6, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/un-chief-ban-ki-moon-warns-g-20-leaders-against-possible-military-action-in-syria/2013/09/06/040b6fd8-1711-11e3-a2ec-b47e45e6f8ef_story.html?wpisrc=nl_headlines

My question to Ban Ki-moon: diplomacy has had more than two years to work its magic, so how’s that workin’ for you?  As Generalmajor Carl Philipp Gottfried von Clausewitz so succinctly and eloquently observed, “War is diplomacy by other means.”  Bashar al-Assad chose his path.  Now, it is time for the consequences.  Diplomacy has failed to deter al-Assad and his henchmen from using chemical weapons against innocent civilians. If we do not enforce international conventions and protocols, we will return to the horror that began on 22.April.1915, when the German army initiated the first chemical attack on the battlefield, releasing Chlorine gas.  

At 22:00 [D*] {17:30 [Z]; 13:30 [R] EDT}, 12.September.2012, three teams of five each, young, suicide, Taliban fighters infiltrated Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. They managed to kill several Marines and did millions in damage before they were eliminated.  The attack was the worst loss of aviation assets by the United States since Vietnam.  This is the best public representation of the Battle of Bastion I have seen to date.

“Enemy Inside the Wire: The Untold Story of the Battle of Bastion”

by Matthieu Aikins; illustrations by Matthew Woodson

Gentleman’s Quarterly

Published: September 2013

http://www.gq.com/news-politics/newsmakers/201309/battle-of-bastion-taliban-afghanistan-air-base

I am gobsmacked!  News items like this one drive me crazy.

“24-hour waiting period proposed for D.C. tattoos, piercings”

by Mike DeBonis and Victoria St. Martin

Washington Post

Published: September 6, 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/24-hour-waiting-period-proposed-for-dc-tattoos-piercings/2013/09/06/924d8054-1727-11e3-be6e-dc6ae8a5b3a8_story.html?wpisrc=nl_headlines

The audacity and idiocy of the District of Columbia Department of Health in proposing such nonsense is one thing.  For the District Council to even consider such ridiculousness is something all together different and more ominous.  Government has a responsibility and obligation to regulate tattoo and piercing establishments, as there is a real and bona fide public safety health concern, as blood-borne pathogens are commonplace in contemporary society.  Every state, district or territory under the authority of the United States should have regulations regarding hygiene, record keeping and licensing of such facilities.  However, a 24-hour waiting period has absolutely nothing to do with the proper public safety concerns; it is a moral judgment on the part of someone or some bunch of someones in the District executive.  This kind nonsense must stop.  The government has absolutely no place making personal or moral choices for any citizen.  I have mixed feelings about the involvement of children under the age of majority.  My inclination is to say the tattoos and piercings are between parents and their children.  Parents cannot abdicate their responsibility to the government or a tattoo artist.

News from the economic front:

-- The Labor Department reported the U.S. economy added 169,000 jobs in August, but lowered by 74,000 the combined total gains in June and July. The unemployment rate edged down slightly to 7.3% in August, from 7.4% in July.  The lower than expected employment numbers suggest the labor-market recovery is not gaining strength as anticipated, which in turn potentially complicates the Federal Reserve's calculus for pulling back its support of the economy. 

Comments and contributions from Update no.611:

“No time for complete response, but . . .

“...Re:  Holder's now-familiar announcement declining to enforce the law:  I have no admiration for the thug in the AG's office, and although I share generally your long-standing belief in legalization of pot, I cannot rejoice in another example of Obama's administration refusing to obey and enforce laws passed by the legislative branch, acting quite confident that the present Congress is too wimpy to impeach.

“I'll send by separate email a letter to the editor containing a different perspective from yours on Obama's agenda with respect to Syria and the Muslim world.

Contributor’s opinion submitted to Clarion-Ledger [of Jackson, Mississippi]:

“Why not insist on United Arab League action to save the Arab people dying in Syria?  Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries have great weapon systems (many made in U.S.A.) and tactical intelligence (ours upon request, and theirs which is better), but they urge our President to do their dirty work with unilateral military action, assuring increased hatred from the Muslim world.  Well tuned to their published long range anti-Christian agenda, Obama apparently wants to take action, but why?  Could it be that this Islamic sympathizer, the leading international critic of our country's history, is again showing his colors, as he has all of his adult life?  Remember, he did so publicly by disrespecting our flag and national anthem in his campaign and by apologizing to the world for the imperialistic past that he thinks justifies hatred from the beneficiaries of our generosity, but most voters forgot that. Has he now figured out that by helping overthrow Assad of Syria he will expedite the most likely result, a new radical Islamic regime largely controlled by Hezbollah and al-Qa’ida?  This would fit with his long demonstrated disdain for our constitutional democracy and serve the long range and patient goals of a dangerous minority of Islamic leadership, goals vocally denied by peaceful and loving Muslims without, of course, any real action (echos of Nazi Germany). I hope our Congress will let him know in no uncertain terms that this time we will not allow him to ignore the law and will tell him to let Arabs help Arabs.”

My response:

Roger,

            Thank you for your opinion.  Received both.  I’ll include in this week’s Update.

            To my knowledge, none of our Allies (excepting of course the United Kingdom and France) have long-range cruise missiles.  Yes, they have sophisticated weapon systems, primarily U.S., but they all require human pilots.

            I do not share your perspective of President Obama, so we shall respectfully disagree.  He has a very difficult line to walk and a very heavy burden to carry.  I certainly do not agree with all his decisions, just as I have not agreed completely with all of his predecessors.  Regardless, he is President of the United States of America.  As I said in the Update, if we do not draw the line here, where do we draw the line?

My very best wishes to all.  Take care of yourselves and each other.

Cheers,

Cap                        :-)