Sunday, June 21, 2009 - Happy Father's Day

1. Obama and Iran - In this article from The Christian Science Monitor, President Obama is quoted as saying that he does not want to turn this current crisis into a dispute between the US and Iran. I don't think that he is being asked to do that. I think that what many people are saying is - you are the leader of the "Free World", and as such should do all in your power to promote democracy, especially in the face of the vile threats issued by Ayatollah Khamenei against his own people.

So, in the Wall Street Journal, Peggy Noonan writes a column entitled "Whose Side Are we On? You Have To Ask?" The British newspaper The Telegraph opines that Obama must use soft power forcefully on Iran. And in US News & World Report, there is criticism that the President has not re-thought his strategy of dealing with Iran in light of these current developments. As this last article concludes rather clearly:

President Obama should state his full support for the protesters on the street and denounce the regime's tactics while also stating that he will not engage with a regime that has blood on its hands. The Obama Administration, having wasted its first six months in office, doesn't deserve another six to coddle Tehran while the regime trounces dissent and progresses down the path to a nuclear weapon. Leaders who kill their own people should be condemned, not "engaged," and should certainly not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.

Of course, there are dissenting views. Donna Brazile, a political commentator on CNN, ABC and NPR; contributing columnist to Roll Call, the newspaper of Capitol Hill; and former campaign manager for Al Gore, states that the US is right not to meddle in Iran. Senator John Kerry published an opinion piece in The New York Times that reads nicely and makes some interesting points, but in my opinion is ultimately just another form of appeasement. Now we are even afraid to use words to try to give support to those seeking freedom.

To me, the bottom line is that too often the West has talked the talk but not walked the walk - Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, and so on - with disastrous consequences for those abandoned, but also serious consequences for the West. I am not saying to invade Iran over this - I am just saying that we should show a greatly increased level of interest and support for people who are daring to defy a murderous regime. In my humble opinion, of course.

2. Basij Militia - one of the instruments of government terror in Iran is the Basij Militia. Here is an article from The New Yorker about that group.

3. Palestinian Authority - the international donor group known as the Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee has as its mission bringing together key donors of aid and relief with the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority to address the current state of affairs between the two countries. The AHLC also keeps track on how donor countries interact with the Palestinian authorities and how the support they provide is handled. The Chair of the AHLC is the Foreign Minister of Norway, and in this article he states that peace requires a strong Palestinian Authority.

In this article, however, he shows his bias by stating that Israel has to show good faith and live up to the terms of the Road Map, whereas all he seems to require of the Palestinians is that they should get along internally. The Palestinians have obligations under the Road Map as well - so make them live up to them as well.

4. History of Israel, Installment #3 - Foreign Domination

5. Making Plane Rides Fun - Here is a funny video about a flight attendant from Southwest Airlines - air travel can be so stressful these days, anything can serve to lighten the mood.