One year ago today our country elected a good, brave and gifted man, Barack Obama, to take on the tremendous burdens of the Presidency. I think this is a good insight from Joseph Nye, Distinguished Service Professor at Harvard University:“Look what he inherited -- a global economic crisis, two difficult wars, erosion of the non-proliferation regime by North Korea and Iran, deterioration of the Middle East peace process, and the rising strength of China just for starters. Obama's dilemma was how to manage this sad inheritance while creating his own vision of how Americans should deal with the world.He did that with his theme of ‘a new era of engagement with the world.’ Through a series of symbolic gestures and speeches (Prague, Cairo, Accra, the United Nations and others), Obama worked wonders in restoring American soft or attractive power in his first year of office. As a recent Pew poll reported, ‘in many countries opinions of the United States are now as positive as they were at the beginning of the decade before George W. Bush took office.’
Skeptics regard soft power as over-rated, but it is a mistake to discount the role that transformative leaders can play in changing the context of difficult issues. Power involves setting agendas and creating others' preferences as well as pushing and shoving. Soft power alone rarely solves hard problems. That is why the administration speaks of "smart power" that successfully combines hard and soft power resources in different contexts. But soft power can create an enabling rather than a disabling environment for policy. Diplomats report that Obama's success in brokering agreements at NATO and G-20 summits was assisted by his popularity.
When Obama came into office, his economic advisers told him there was one chance in three that we were on the brink of another depression. We have successfully avoided that, and Obama was able to help organize a surprising degree of international cooperation on economic issues. Unlike FDR, who torpedoed an international economic conference in 1933, and failed to halt the spread of ‘beggar they neighbor’ policies that made the depression worse, Obama's soft power helped to promote international cooperation when it was vital. And there was a certain audacity of hope in that pursuit.”You can read the whole article at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joseph-nye/obamas-timidity-is-a-fore_b_344064.html
I prefer our President's "soft power" to the noise and destruction of the previous eight years.
Stephen Views the News June 7, 2009
http://stephenviewsthenews.blogspot.com/
Diplomacy, Hegemony and Terrorism
During President Barack Obama’s historic 55 minute speech in Cairo he received a standing ovation one dozen times. It seems to me impossible for one to shoot a rifle while forcibly bringing one’s hands together in applause. Unlike the trigger-happy Neocon derriere’s who had beat the drum for invading Iraq and, most recently, called for the U.S. to bomb North Korea and Iran (hello Bill Kristol and Brit Hume of FOX News) intelligent diplomacy gives America at least a chance to bring about a better situation while reducing the threat to American military personnel and civilians. If a time would come when military action is required it is also more likely that having first taken the diplomatic route America would garner meaningful international support – not what George W. Bush had in Iraq. For the sophomoric Neocon tough guys such as Cheney and Kristol who always want to go to war as long as they can continue to avoid serving in the military themselves, I suggest masturbation. It will relieve the pressure generated by overactive male hormones. Like most men walking around with a missile silo between their legs being macho leads to more harm than good.
And let us not forget that the United States was responsible for the overthrow of the elected government in Iran in the 1950’s that inserted the Shah of Iran into power – a puppet of American foreign “policy.” He ruled with a despotic heavy hand that was supported by a secretive and brutal police force. Two decades later the Iranian people rebelled and the result was the U.S. Iranian embassy hostage situation. And who can forget the unprovoked U.S. invasion of Iraq. America’s hands in the Middle East are far from clean (and covered in oil) yet few in America readily accept this reality and its effect on current political relations. It is refreshing and encouraging to have an adult in the White House.
Some voices in America, especially the conservative choir, bemoan Obama’s approach to a new diplomacy that they conclude is an apology. Perhaps standing up and taking responsibility for previous action is an anathema to conservatives since it was their approach that contributed to so much damage in the world. In a cowardly fashion they try to rewrite history rather than acknowledge their culpability. This past week, across the cable news networks, we saw Dick Cheney and daughter Liz making appearances and lying through their gritted teeth about Bush’s justification to invade Iraq and the illegal and immoral use of torture. I have never been waterboarded but I can relate to being tortured while watching these apologists for failed policy try to re-make their brand. Adding to my extreme discomfort is the general failure of interviewers to confront the Cheney family and like-minded phonies with the hard facts of recent history. The media proved to be complete failures in the lead up to the Iraq invasion and they continue to demonstrate their inadequacy today.
There are forces in America that want to demonize all Muslims because of the actions of murderers who call themselves Muslims. There are 1.5 billion people in the world who embrace the Muslim religion. Yes, there are some who claim to be Muslims and who have bastardized the teaching of Muhammad for their own political agenda. This does not justify the condemnation of the entire Muslim world. This past week we saw the murder of George Tiller, a doctor in Kansas who performed legal abortions, being justified in Christian religious terms. At Tiller’s funeral on Saturday anti-abortionists demonstrated with signs saying, “God Sent the Killer.” These are the actions of terrorists and murderers who call themselves Christians. What would Jesus say? Probably, “Oy vey.” It is this short-circuiting of a connection to the Almighty that demeans all that is holy. The bombers of abortion clinics and shooters of physicians are the immoral equivalent of the al Qaeda terrorists who struck the World Trade Center. The long history of man on planet Earth is wrought with acts of inhumanity premised on religious canards. It is a lesson that man is apparently not fated to learn.
* “Four things support the world: the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the good, and the valor of the brave.”
Muhammad (570 – 632), Prophet of Islam
Beyond the Hall of Mirrors
Reflections on War, Terror and Human Interaction
by Dennis Rivers, MA
July 2005 Issue of the Journal of Cooperative Communication Skills
Below are a few comments from the article:
One of the great paradoxes of political life and human behavior, is that we imagine that we can bend other people to our will by force of arms. At the same time, we hold that no one will ever bend us to their will by force of arms. This implies some sort of belief that we are strong-willed while "they" are weak-willed. And of course, "they" think the same of us, thinking that they will be able to coerce us, but will never allow themselves to be coerced. This is a lethal fantasy, on all sides, in which grownup folks engage in childlike wishful thinking. It doesn't occur to people that the folks on the other side may be just like themselves. We are all strong-willed, we all resist coercion in whatever way we can. Unless someone becomes more conscious, every proud swagger from one side will elicit an even prouder swagger from the other side. Unless someone becomes more conscious, every taunt and humiliation from one side, will elicit an even bloodier taunt and humiliation from the other. "Bring 'em on, we're plenty tough," sneered President Bush to the insurgents. The Iraqi insurgents taunted back with videos of executions. We responded by torturing captured insurgents, setting off global shock waves. And so it goes, up to the most recent bombings. While this contest of coercion goes on, people are dying with no end in sight. Truly, if ever there were a situation that called for "thinking outside the box," we are in it now.
One possible answer, perhaps the greatest possible answer, to this downward spiral, would be a new turning toward the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The fact that the Golden Rule has been around for several thousand years, and appears in all the great religions, does not mean that we have fully understood it or mastered the art of living by it. One fruitful way, in my view, of starting over with the Golden Rule would be to explore it more deeply as an effort to steer spirals of human interaction toward life-sustaining outcomes and away from mutual destruction. If we don't want people to try to coerce us, we can begin by lowering our reliance on coercion in all our relationships, both personal and international. If we want people to listen to our concerns, we can begin by listening to their concerns. If we don't want people to point guns or missiles at us, we can stop pointing our guns and missiles at them. Imagining that we can point our guns and missiles at countries around the world, and that they will not be motivated to point guns and missiles back at us, is, whatever else you may think of it, extremely unrealistic. If all behavior is instruction, we can take the initiative and model more of the positive behavior we want to evoke. This won't be easy, but our current slide toward perpetual war and national bankruptcy through military spending is not going to be easy, either. As a Borscht-circuit comedian in the 1950's might have put it: "A trillion dollars here, a trillion dollars there, pretty soon you're talking big money!"
Gandhi must have been thinking about the Golden Rule when he said "be the change you want to see."
http://www.newconversations.net/library/mirrors.htm
Obama is a smart man.
Obama is a proponent of diplomacy over warfare.
Solution? Let's leverage Rick Warren's sermon for our own ends. (By "our", I mean Obama's base.) Let's start a dialogue with him and the Evangelical, Christianity-first, right-wing communities in this country on our turf. The inaugruation is our achievement, but it's also our opportunity to set this country on a new path of inclusion.
So start offering constructive criticism for how Obama can leverage Warren's acceptance of his invitation. Tell him what Warren should say; tell him what Warren canNOT say. (With all due respect.)
Because, let's get real, there's no way Obama can disinvite Rick Warren and not declare war on -- or have war declared on his administration by -- Warren's audience.
Click the title or the "click here" to read my suggestions...
Former Finnish president of Finland and Nobel Price winner
Mr. Martti Ahtisaari : "I hope that the new president of the
United States, who will be sworn in next month, will give
high priority to the Middle East conflict during his first year
in office."
You Have Sown the Seeds: Now is the Time to Prepare for a Rich Harvest
Dear Mr. Obama,
Congratulations on your election as the next president of the United Sates of America. Millions of Americans and indeed many more millions around the world are eagerly looking to you and your administration to address many pressing crises facing your country and the world over. These include climate change and ecology, banking, credit and subprime mortgage lending, soaring cost of energy and food, hunger and infectious disease, international relations and cooperation, peace and justice, terrorism and war, armaments and unprecedented violence, crime and insecurity. Other major problems include the fear of getting sick, old, homeless and jobless.
It is precisely in times like these – unstable and confusing though they may be – that people everywhere need to keep their eyes on the better side of human nature, the side of love and compassion, rather than hatred and injustice; the side of the common good, rather than selfishness, individualism and greed.
With your election a seed of hope has been sown. Now it’s the time to ensure this seed will grow into a most wonderful and rich harvest by insisting that the abundance that comes from God and earth and human effort must be shared, lest its concentration in the hands of the few become a blood-clot endangering our lives- as indeed has happened.
To do this, your government needs- as I am sure, it will- to adopt a new strategy of generosity toward all the people of America, as well as to all other people and nations around the world, by replacing the strategy of domination that has so long been the policy paradigm. Your administration needs to transform all institutions including the U.S. government to act not merely for economic benefits and the highest return to the shareholders, but also to encourage people’s natural inclination toward love, generosity, compassion, imagination, and wonder at the beauty of the planet Earth and the universe in which we live, by encouraging us all to know and serve the common good.
Those who may not have your best interest at heart may say this is too idealistic. But today, idealism is the new realism. So-called realism, through the strategy of domination, has only led to endless wars, needless suffering, and exploitation, seriously compromising the moral and spiritual standing of the U.S., both at home and abroad.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lucia-brawley/president-obamas-arts_b_136616.html
PRESIDENT OBAMA'S ARTS
by Lucia Brawley
At 10 years old, Mordecai Santiago was already the toughest kid at the 52nd Street Project, the renowned Hell's Kitchen not-for-profit where I volunteered as an academic tutor and arts educator. Though diminutive in stature and "held back" in school, Mordecai wielded an authority beyond his years with children and adults alike. Officials at his over-crowded elementary school had diagnosed Mordecai with A.D.D. and wanted to put him on Ritalin. He shared a small, low-income-housing apartment with four other siblings and two parents. They had no computer.
But Mordecai was a natural on the piano. He loved to play Beethoven's Fur Elise by ear on the only piano in the after-school clubhouse. Since he'd never had a proper lesson, his fingering was incorrect, but he hit every note flawlessly. The only way I could get him to finish his homework, was by promising him "piano time" at the end of every tutoring session. He often would rather play his own haunting compositions than go home.
His unadulterated love of music inspired me to ask fellow Harvard alums to donate piano lessons to kids at the program. Offers flowed in by email in overwhelming numbers. However, the administrators of the program, already under-staffed, under-resourced and over-worked, regretfully explained that they could not accept.
In Mordecai, a tough, brilliant, little kid in baggy jeans and a puffy North Face jacket, I saw up-close the precarious fate of millions of American children who might evolve into great artists or great criminals, at the flip of a coin. Without proper funding for programs like the 52nd Street Project, the latter possibility becomes an inevitability for too many kids.
In order to stay true to the campaign's message of hope, progress and action, I would like to see an Obama administration accomplish a broad array of arts policy goals. Arts education must find its way back to American public schools, not only as a proven measure to bring up students' math and science scores, but to allow students a means of self-expression that will save their futures - as well as saving the system the cost of trying and incarcerating many of them. Even if they never go into the arts, a youth's acquired creative problem solving abilities will serve her in any field.
Imagine art and performance exchanges between students from different areas and strata of American society, in order to create dialogue that bridges psychological gaps between demographic groups and regions.
More than an educational tool, the arts offer unique diplomatic opportunities. In the Kennedy tradition, there should be exchanges between students and adult artists from our country and other countries around the globe, perhaps in partnership with the U.N.
Controversially, during the Cold War, the CIA infiltrated Eastern European theater groups, in order to inspire revolt within oppressive regimes and prevent democratic regimes from turning Communist, as illustrated in The Cultural Cold War:The CIA and the World off Arts and Letters, by Frances Stonor Saunders. Whether one agrees with such secretive programs or not, do they not reflect the diplomatic potential of the arts, as an alternative to overt military policing?
Acting in Hungary, a country famed for its great composers, I saw young students well versed in classical music. How wonderful it would be to see original U.S. musical forms as part of every American child's curriculum: jazz, folk music, rock'n'roll, and hip-hop. What could be more patriotic than embracing our nation's cultural contributions to the world? And why not include world music and dance as an integral part of the American-immigrant and global stories?
With an eye toward valuing the contributions of artists, as all other developed nations do, I would like to see artist-tailored unemployment and healthcare insurance for those who can prove a history of work in their chosen field. And, to offer alternatives to a justice system that now reinforces the dehumanization inherent in an excessively stratified society, I would like to see more programs like Rhodessa Jones' "Medea Project," that helps rehabilitate inmates in the Bay Area correctional system, by allowing them to enact their own stories, thereby exorcising the causes of their anger and accepting responsibility for their actions.
Visual art projects helped children overcome the trauma of having witnessed 9/11. Imagine the benefits of music and art therapy for every soldier returning from Iraq who suffers from PTSD.
The arts humanize society, not merely in a spiritual and emotional sense. We have tangible historical evidence of how the arts have directly contributed to the fortification of a troubled America. F.D.R.'s New Deal - especially relevant now, as we face the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression - included the Federal Writers Project, Federal Theater Project, Federal Art Project and Federal Music Project, each of which employed artists in ways that served and uplifted society and the economy as a whole. In their 1995 essay, "New Deal Cultural Programs: Experiments in Cultural Democracy," Don Adams and Arlene Goldbard state that, rather than homogenize distinct regions with a big government agenda, these projects set forward in vivid relief the unique beauties of each region, inspired progress within the labor movement, and led to commercially viable enterprises.
Today, Barack Obama often speaks of a deficit, not merely economic, but of empathy. He reminds us that, "I am my brother's keeper." Obama's campaign has inspired an unprecedented amount of creativity through songs, artwork, dance and dramatic arts, and captured the imaginations of people worldwide. If a President Obama chooses to utilize his historic grassroots organization beyond the campaign, in order to successfully put forth initiatives that stand up to corporate special interests, he must remember that the arts will be the primary mouthpiece for galvanizing the people's partnership.
This is indeed a historic election, and for reasons more significant than its being the longest and costliest in U.S. history. Underlying it all is the almost palpable sense that after decades of abuse, we -- the people of the United States -- are reasserting our fundamental right to power. The pendulum, which swung to the Right -- and shifted the balance of wealth and power to the top -- with the election of Ronald Reagan, has begun to swing in a more liberating direction.
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkinaugural.htm
Approximately 9 minutes into the speech he said: "So let us begin anew, remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate."
JFK managed to save the world through intelligent and courageous diplomacy. He did not resort to power as a first measure, and he succeeded without the tragedy or loss of life that a war-prone President would doubtless instigate.
The war in Afghanistan ignores one important fact -- al Qaeda, our original enemy is not in Afghanistan and hasn't been there for quite a while. Most everyone assumes that al Qaeda is in Pakistan.
While the Taliban were our "enemy", they were only so because they gave sanctuary to al Qaeda. The question is "can there be a diplomatic agreement with the Taliban that gives us what we want, an assurance that al Qaeda will not be given sanctuary in Afghanistan?
The author of the following article notes that the Saudis are hosting negotiations between the Karzai government and the Taliban. The author sees real hope in these negotiations. Hope that the United States would have an opportunity to exit from Afghanistan and leave behind as stable a situation as we could reasonably expect.
http://www.counterpunch.org/lind10202008.html
Obama is quoted saying, "If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress." As I've observed him over the past couple years, I've been impressed by his walk, his progress. He's remained steady and calm no matter what challenges have presented themselves. Not only has Barack matured during his campaign to exude even greater poise and diplomacy, but he's proven himself to be unflappable under fire by his opponents. I think Colin Powell's well-balanced perception of Obama, given during his interview with Meet the Press, stated eloquently what people all over the world are observing about Barack's walk, his talk and his confidence in running mate for VP, Joe Biden:
"...he (Obama) displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge, and an approach to looking at problems like this, picking a Vice President that I think is ready to be President on Day One. And also in – not just in jumping in and changing every day – but showing intellectual vigor, I think that he has a definitive way of doing business that would serve us well."
Powell concludes that segment of his interview by saying:
"I think he is a transformational figure. He is a new generation coming into the ... onto the world stage and on the American stage...."
I choose to put my trust in the leadership of Barack Obama and Joe Biden. I trust they will both prove to be trustworthy servants and continue to walk their talk all the way to the White House and for the length of their term(s) in office.
May God give them discernment and wisdom to administer sound advice and judgement in all matters, keep them from harm and from doing harm as they serve the American people and negotiate with world leaders to work toward protecting our freedom, ensuring peace, improving humanitarian and environmental health, and spearheading economic, education and political reforms.
(Capitalizations are to make finding the points easier, not to “yell.”)
How to respond to the outrageous distortions and lies of the McCain campaign? How to counter the Palin impact? As one who makes a living advising others, I find that TELLING THE TRUTH works best. So here is the truth as I see it:
ONE: Obama’s policies on the economy, taxes, health care, climate change and other ISSUES OF REAL IMPORT to most Americans are much closer to what the people want than McCain’s. Then – FOLLOW UP WITH SURROGATES around the country making the detailed policy case, especially the Clintons with their considerable economic bonafides.
TWO: Because the extremist Right Wing that owns the Republican party is so out-of-step with the majority of Americans… because people do not want a president McCain tossing more bones while lavishing the wealthiest… because people want REAL FAIRNESS in our system, REAL OPPORTUNITIES to pursue the American dream of success-through-hard-work, not more backroom deals and privilege for the well-heeled and well-connected… because of all that, the REPUBLICANS CAN OFFER ONLY LIES, DISTORTIONS AND DISHONORABLE INNUENDOES. Tell the truth – while John McCain may have once been honorable and driven the Straight Talk Express, his campaign behavior and that of his surrogates is of liars and scoundrels.
Barack Obama, along with Joe Biden, is more than the right person for the job, but potentially the only person who could possibly do this job at this time in our history. A John McCain administration is the most dangerous team we Americans could entrust with this job at this time in our history.
The urgency of integrity and diplomatic abilities cannot be stressed enough in this election. We tend to think of diplomacy only in terms of foreign policy, but it's so critical that Americans understand the absolute imperative of diplomatic skills right now -- the ability to "bring people together" and overcome fear and naysaying in order to break down the barriers and roadblocks between us and real solutions for healthcare, our economy, Iraq and beyond.
The issue of diplomacy -- both domestically and around the globe -- is arguably more important now than ever given the muddled mess that is the Bush administration legacy. It will take a talent reminiscent of our most successful presidents in history to navigate this country through our challenges of profoundly neglected infrastructure, eroded economics, and the tangled politics of rebuilding our educational system - and so much more.
So why Obama? Diplomacy. Agility. Insight. Campaign paid for by ordinary Americans. Vision. Even-tempered.
Why not McCain? Obstinate. Baggage. Shortsighted. Funded by--and beholden to--lobbyists and special interest groups. The past. Temper.
Barack Obama's natural ability to be diplomatic, thoughtful and strategic make him ready to tackle our profoundly complicated problems.
John McCain does not have the skill and foresight to negotiate and strategize with the exceptional timing and forward thinking that we require.
Only once in the entire campaign have I heard Barack say something about how changing our foreign policy and taking a more diplomatic approach could make us safer. He argues all the time that we should exhaust all options before using force, but he doesn't elaborate much.
Think about it. Bill O'Reilly (who I like to lovingly refer to as 'that douchebag on FOX') was pressuring Barack about foreign policy and when Barack said he would like to try diplomacy before acting militarily, douchebag said that this administration was already exercising diplomacy. Now, while I'm childish enough to call O'Reilly a douchebag, I'm grown up enough to give credit where credit is due. I'm sure that the Bush administration is putting forth a diplomatic effort with countries like Iran, but look at the other side for a moment. How could a country poised for invasion, that's already attacked and occupied one nation, offer genuine diplomacy? There's got to be a lot of suspicion and fear on the part of any country that's at the table with this administration.
Having a fresh administration that can offer genuine diplomatic discussions, that does not have a lingering reputation for militarism, won't make us weaker or more vulnerable, it will make us more viable and give us more diplomatic ground to stand on.
And while I'm aware that there are violent terrorist groups in the world that believe that killing infadels is their personal mission from God, I don't live every day in fear, and I certainly don't buy into the BS fear tactics that the McCain camp is selling.
I know most people on this site are probably pro-Obama anyway, but for anyone who's not, or for anyone who wants some ammunition for their political arguments, think about this: Al Queda attacked us to strike fear into our hearts - that's what terrorism is. The biggest issue on the Republican ticket right now is national security - which means they're banking on the fact that you are scared sh*tless at the thought of the US being attacked again. If you're planning to vote for McCain and your main concern is security, then guess what? THE TERRORISTS WIN. How's that for some irony.
I have faith in Barack Obama's ability to take a diplomatic approach with countries that threaten us, and I also believe in his ability to recognize when that approach is no longer enough. More importantly, I have faith in Barack Obama to ignite a passion in the common people of this nation, to stand up and join him in demanding improvement in all areas of our govenment, to bring our country back into good standing with the people who live in it as well as those who do not.
OBAMA/BIDEN 2008!
I'd like to ask John McCain what changes he's offering, besides, as Biden put it, the billions of dollars worth of change he's offering to put into the pockets of the oil companies. And if there were to be real changes in Washington under a McCain presidency, who would they be catering to? Based on his vice presidential selection, I'd guess the far right, ultraconservatives. I don't want those kinds of changes in my or my son's lifetime.
