Israel and Lebanon

Imagine a country that has blocked off all air, sea, and land access to another country. Now imagine that first country has killed hundreds, maimed/injured thousands, and maintains a military presence in a third of the second country. Lastly, imagine that first country has indiscriminately targeted all human beings in the second country, from children to elderly, from civilian to UN representative.

What would you honestly call this? An attempt to stomp out a militia? Or the systematic destruction of a country?

As anyone reading the news for the past month has heard, Israel has been carpet-bombing and has finally invaded Lebanon. A country with a barely functioning military. A recently praised country for its 'Cedar Revolution'. A country that had become a part of the Bush-neo-con vision for the Middle East - a functioning democracy.

Now many people say 'Israel has a right to defend itself'. Yes, a country that bloodily gave birth to itself, imposes itself militarily in the affairs of its neighbors (the 1956 Suez crisis, the 1978 invasion in Lebanon, the now "un"-occupied Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Golan Heights), has the unconditional support of the world's only military AND economic superpower, has the right to defend itself.

But in this case, what is it defending? The right to live free? Apparently only if you're Jewish. The right to live without fear? Apparently only if you're Jewish. The right for its citizens to live and work? Apparently only if you're Jewish.

Ehud Barak, recently on Fox News: "So the real profound consequence is that we should make clear that we have a solid entity called Israel. Within its border, there should be a solid Jewish majority for generations to come, and we should do it as to feel confident, be strong enough to hit whoever tries to attack us without any hesitation."

Apparently if you're Israeli and Arab, you're not going to be participating in a representative democracy.

Further on, he says "Now, the price is that you do not totally destroy them, and the right answer is that we should create a situation where the sovereign state of Lebanon will turn normal. Namely, do not allow a political party with members in the cabinet having their own active militia."

Now in a country that has suffered over $2 billion in damages, from airports to the death of legitimate military figures, how is 'normal' defined? Who will pay to rebuild Lebanon once again? It was in the process of normalizing itself post-Israeli security strip and post-Syrian domination. Thousands of Europeans and European dollars flowed into Lebanon after the Israeli withdrawal and the fall of Syrian dominance. With those persons removed from the country due to the attack perpetrated by Israel, and the damage of all that rebuilt infrastructure, who will rebuild?

Israel is creating its own Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan. Out of a country that was at a stage similar to North Ireland, wherein paramilitaries were being brought into the political process.

Instead of focusing on the demilitarization of a group, Israel has laid waste to a country that was more representative, more democratic, than many others.

Illegal immigration

How do people not understand the difference between LEGAL immigration and ILLEGAL immigration?

One is breaking the law of the very country you supposedly want to be a productive member of.

The other is following the law and joining society as a welcome member.

Which is better? Which should be rewarded? Which should be encouraged? And which should be discouraged/deported/criminalized/removed?

Guest workers and amnesties do not discourage. They encourage. Another remedy is needed.

America needs a national identification system. If we're to be a nation that can readily identify its citizens, why not? If we're to be a nation that can tell who does and who does not belong, why not? After all, what actually proves that a second-generation Hispanic woman is not illegal? A license? Those can be faked. A social security card? Can be faked. They don't have green cards for citizens.

Sure a national ID could also be faked with the right technology, if one were to be created. But would the electronic information connected to the card? The history of the ID?

This, if anything else, illustrates the weakness of the American system of identification. Allow state licenses. Allow state management of their own citizens. But as the 14th Amendment dictates, we are all American citizens by right of birth - those who come here to steal that birthright, and those who seek to subvert laws by soliciting such crimes are criminal. Establish mechanisms to handle the problem.

That's my $.02.

Back again

So I return to posting my thoughts and ramblings....

Been a good couple of months, with the girlfriend, the crazy dog, the cat, my brother... and everything else...

So, hello...

Another. 

More pictures of Spanky. Here he's got his first chew toy (aside from clothes and fingers). 

Meet...... Spanky

I had been talking about getting a dog for a bit. I didn't want another cat, as Twerp is the best, has been the best, will always be the best. He's been there since he found me on the side of the road in late '92. (I was riding my bike home near City Park in Baton Rouge... a kitten was calling for attention, and followed me home. Fed him ham and cheese for a week before he got used to real cat food.)

So, I'm not replacing Twerp.

If I can, I'll try and get some old pics of him as a kitten and post them. For now, here's a picture of him basking in the sun with the blinds hitting his belly.


Twerp 

So, here comes Spanky. Dani got him from a girl at church, and his name was Jaws. She asked that I didn't rename him, but... Jaws just doesn't fit. He's too cute, and is a little rascal. (Sleeping in my lap atm.)

And, without any further ado...


Spanky 

Long break....

Okay, Had a long break from the blog. Just hadn't updated in a while.

Mostly 'cuz I've been lazy.

Dani is moving in - she needs a place to stay. Stressful on both of us, but it's good when it's good. Same as every relationship - sometimes there are low points, but mostly there are good points.

(Btw, she thinks my picture makes me look mean, and I'm not a mean person... )