A Night Unremembered
13 years ago
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
What's New?
What's new
How is the world treating you
You haven't changed a bit
Lovely as ever, I must admit
[the above lyrics are from a song sung by Frank "old blue eyes" Sinatra]
I am using them as a lead in to my post today about events in the world which might (or should) disturb you. I am speaking of the deal just reached with Iran over their nuclear capabilities. As usual, it is this administration's attempt to not deal with Iran's nuclear bomb aspirations. Essentially, it gives Iran 15 years before they can return to the process. In that 15 year period, I am sure there will be many other countries in that region who will try to create their own nuclear weapon. Additionally, the deal removes the sanctions placed on Iran by us and many European countries, sanctions that were having an effect... sanctions that were limiting their ability to foster terrorism just a little. It also allows countries like Russia and China (and others) to resume arms sales to Iran.
I hope, for our and the world's sake, that Congress sends a clear message to this president by voting to reject this deal. A vote that comprises a solid 2/3's majority. Because the president has promised to veto Congress' rejection... which means they must override that.
It's a freaking disaster in the making. If you don't know about this deal... you will... way too soon. Maybe the ides of July will become someday as famous as the ides of March.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Interesting post, as always Douglas.
You are well aware of my responsibilities here at home with my Father, which complicate my ability to conduct research in the manner which I would like. Consequently, the following comments are not as well considered as I would like.
First, I wrote "something" a few weeks ago about history repeating itself, and someone responded with the line: "“The only thing new in the world is the history you do not know.” ― Harry S. Truman.
What is the relevance of this to your discussion? Every few years or so, I come across a quote from someone prominent in society perhaps 2,000, 1,000, or 500 years ago, where they lament the terrible, deplorable state in which the world or their country finds itself. There is a particularly good one from Plato or Aristotle, or someone like that, but I was unable to find it quickly.
Suffice it to say that I suspect that all of us think that things were better at an earlier point in time, for a multiplicity of reasons. That is, except for my 94 year old Father. He constantly reminds me that "things were tough" back in the days when he grew up on relief, during the Depression and one of 10 kids.
As for one's perspective about where we are, as I shared with you in a private communication recently, "...America the Beautiful exists in the minds and hearts of those of us who managed to navigate its systems and values basically to our general benefit. There are plenty others who have not, and who are thus disillusioned.
"Although the phrase, 'How’s that working for you,' has a different meaning, I contend that many like or dislike a situation depending on how successful they are in dealing with it..." and depending on where they are in life currently, and how they view the relative status or plight of others around them.
For my money, having transferred our manufacturing jobs to China (though legal and logical it may have been) has had serious negative ramifications on "regular folks" in our country, apart from decreased tax revenues. We as a society and culture, at a minimum, watched this occur and acquiesced in its occurrence, and at worst, planned it over a period of perhaps 50 - 60 years....
Let me state this out front: You are wise beyond your years. And much of what you wrote I agree with. However, I do not agree with something I inferred from your last paragraph. You see, I do not expect loyalty from any company. If the company wishes to outsource jobs overseas and it makes economic sense then I have no problem with it. Yes, this hurts some Americans but, as I said many times, "life is not fair." I was fortunate enough to find a job that suited my talents and did not require a lot of effort on my part. And it eventually paid fairly well and provided an adequate retirement package as well as other benefits.
Let me state this out front:
You are wise beyond your years. And much of what you wrote I agree with. However, I do not agree with something I inferred from your last few sentences.
In a free market, capitalistic society, where people have the freedom to make choices and decisions, individuals may have the right to complain about things that adversely affect them, but should also recognize that all sorts of ramifications derive from the exercise of freedom. What I have a problem with is the suggestion by many that our economic problems are of a relatively recent vintage and attributed to conduct by some over a period of 5, 10, or 15 years or so. Our condition has been in the making for a long time.
Remember "Future Shock," and the prediction of America's transition from a manufacturing economy to an information economy. That wasn't just the other day. As you know, there is perhaps no group of people who bother me more than politicians. I don't care for either side, or any party, to try to make political hay out of complex situations by attributing a direct cause and effect relationship due to the conduct of their opponents or opposition. I think that it is intellectually dishonest.
However, honesty out of politicians is also a thing which we should not expect. It would be unreasonable on our parts.
I remember "Future Shock" also a book entitled "The Crash Of 79" and the predictions of a coming ice age in the 70's. Not to mention the flying cars we should be seeing in the skies. Predictions are often more dire than the true future. Let's just say they run into "mitigating circumstances."
I do agree with you that our fiscal problems have been developing for decades and that is solves nothing to point fingers of blame at any entity or administration. The factors, like predictions, have a way of influencing possibly even themselves.
Excuse the screwup in the above: "is" should be "it" in "that is solves nothing to point fingers of blame at..."
Post a Comment