The New York Times and writer Nicholas Kristof published July 12, 2005 the following article, “Behind Enemy Lines.” http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/12/opinion/12kristof.html?n=Top%2fOpinion%2fEditorials%20and%20Op%2dEd%2fOp%2dEd%2fColumnists%2fNicholas%20D%20Kristof&pagewanted=print
"The Bush administration has refused to negotiate with North Korea one on one, or to offer a clear and substantial package to coax Mr. Kim away from his nuclear arsenal. Instead, Mr. Bush has focused on enticing North Korea into six-party talks. The North finally agreed on Saturday to end a yearlong stalemate and join another round of those talks."
Mr Kristof seems to even give more respect to Kim Jong Il, calling him “the Dear Leader,” possibly written with sarcasm. Yet, when comparing to his addressment of the President as “Mr. Bush,” it becomes clear to the the casual reader of Mr Kristof's lack of respect and possibly his own political leanings.
It seems the author is also masquerading and attempting arduously to appear as a learned man and one who has important political opinions. Statements made in the article are not grounded in fact, they are at best loosley formulated opinions on a topic of which he cannot honestly claim to be an expert.
After spending an unknown amount of time speaking with a N Korean general, the vice president or whomever he interviewed, Mr Kristof truly believes he has the answers to the North Korean problem, the nuclear issue and maybe others.
Mr Kristof it appears has taken his position too far. His journalism amounts making summations of which he is most certainly not an expert. Mr Kristof is a journalist. If he only wrote about North Korean history, politics and was invited into a weekly war room meeting with the North Korean dictator, maybe I would consider him an expert and consider the conclusions he draws as note worthy. After spending a hand full of days and speaking with couple of scripted political and military representatives of the country, a journalists expertise is still under question. I spent 2 weeks in Europe in 94, I surely would not consider myself an expert of anything in Europe. Unless I spent the entire two weeks only studying the fasade of the Arch De Triumph. Report what you observe. Take it no further.
And as HeyDudeWhoa suggested, write about the hundreds of thousands of deaths Kim Jong Il has on his hands and the uncontrolled starvation. Facts are a journalist's best friend. Subjective material has a place, at the pub with the swilling of dark beer.
HeyDudeWhoa commented on the article. The first is a serious point; stating the article blames the Bush Administration for the North Korean “crisis”. To which it appears he did not agree. His second point is also a serious one, written with some hilarity. Mr. Kristof’s love for North Korean Noodles took precedent over the millions of hungry North Koreans.
In time the world will see the "fallout" of North Korea using or selling a nuclear weapon. But it is still avoidable. By what method, it is difficult to say. Will the talks be awash, perhaps. No progress ever was made if someone only considered what could go wrong. Entertaining what could go right and letting this be a motivator is very American.
What is unavoidable for Kim Jong Il, is the time left in keeping the plight of his country under his rug. In time we will see the product of a ruthless hand of a dictitorial man.
The ignorance of Nicholas Kristof, the journalist, may be seen in his first sentence when describing North Korea as “bizarre”. A North Korean citizen, might use the adjectives "death camp."
Finally, a Doctor will typically like to be called a such because they earned the title. A judge deserves to be called by his title. The President deserves his title followed by his last name and no less.
Friday, July 15, 2005
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Possible ID of Director of London Bombings
Read the article from Forbes; http://www.forbes.com/finance/feeds/afx/2005/07/13/afx2137875.html
It is now known the four who had rucksack bombs on their back died in the bombings. All the investigation in London is being directed toward "towards seeking the persons who planned and directed the atacks".
It is now known the four who had rucksack bombs on their back died in the bombings. All the investigation in London is being directed toward "towards seeking the persons who planned and directed the atacks".
Hugh Hewitt Interviews American-Muslim
Took an extremely late lunch today and listened to Hugh Hewitt out of Los Angeles on the short drive. Hugh asked for any Muslim listeners to call in and discuss the day's issue.
Hugh had previously read from the The Times of London and other publications. The topic of discussion was whether the London bombings last week had the same effect as the Madrid bombings. It was obvious the two events were different thus far.
The Madrid bombings were staged just before elections. After the first event, the bombings, there were a number of additional events which led to the ouster of the previous "executive branch" of Spain who supported the Iraq war. The Spanish people voted in a candidate who vowed to withdrawal all troops form Iraq, which he did.
The London bombings were not timed before an election, however Hugh surmised the terrorists were looking for a similar response from Britian. The response was a "pull-back" or softened stance on terrorism. The terrorists may have hoped if the British are hit at home, they may crawl into their homes and raise the white flag. However, Prime Minister Blair quickly got on the podium and denounced the terror acts and reinforced if not increased his offense on the war on terror. The attacks thus far have had the opposite effect as may have been hoped, simply emboldening and angering the British to fight harder. Cheerio to the British!
A Muslim listener called in who was originally from Ethiopia. Hugh wanted the American-Muslim side of how all this can be stopped. The listener (we will call him Muslopia) said if the US pulls it's military forces from Saudi Arabia it would resolve the issue. Hugh questioned this statement and asked for more clarity. Paraphrasing Hugh, "You think if the US pulls their troops out of Saudi Arabia, the terrorist attacks will stop." Muslopia did not know what to say at first and fumbled some... Muslopia then said, "The US needs to stop forcing it's culture on the rest of the world... The rest of the world already have their own cultures, we don't need a second culture."
Hugh said we are not really forcing our culture, it is being sought by the rest of the world. I think Hugh may have been referencing country music, blue jeans, Starbucks and democracy. Hugh said he really thinks everyone in the world want what we have.
Hugh asked Muslopia why he came to this country; Muslopia said he is a taxi cab driver and said he came to America for his family. Hugh then began to paint the parrallel of if Muslopia came to America for a better life for his family, then how is it wrong for others to want more of America in their country. In reality it may not be American music, clothing or coffee. It maybe our ideals, freedoms... our Democracy. I think Hugh said the other peoople want the same thing Muslopia came here to find, food, shelter, things many other countries cannot provide their citizenry.
Hugh had previously read from the The Times of London and other publications. The topic of discussion was whether the London bombings last week had the same effect as the Madrid bombings. It was obvious the two events were different thus far.
The Madrid bombings were staged just before elections. After the first event, the bombings, there were a number of additional events which led to the ouster of the previous "executive branch" of Spain who supported the Iraq war. The Spanish people voted in a candidate who vowed to withdrawal all troops form Iraq, which he did.
The London bombings were not timed before an election, however Hugh surmised the terrorists were looking for a similar response from Britian. The response was a "pull-back" or softened stance on terrorism. The terrorists may have hoped if the British are hit at home, they may crawl into their homes and raise the white flag. However, Prime Minister Blair quickly got on the podium and denounced the terror acts and reinforced if not increased his offense on the war on terror. The attacks thus far have had the opposite effect as may have been hoped, simply emboldening and angering the British to fight harder. Cheerio to the British!
A Muslim listener called in who was originally from Ethiopia. Hugh wanted the American-Muslim side of how all this can be stopped. The listener (we will call him Muslopia) said if the US pulls it's military forces from Saudi Arabia it would resolve the issue. Hugh questioned this statement and asked for more clarity. Paraphrasing Hugh, "You think if the US pulls their troops out of Saudi Arabia, the terrorist attacks will stop." Muslopia did not know what to say at first and fumbled some... Muslopia then said, "The US needs to stop forcing it's culture on the rest of the world... The rest of the world already have their own cultures, we don't need a second culture."
Hugh said we are not really forcing our culture, it is being sought by the rest of the world. I think Hugh may have been referencing country music, blue jeans, Starbucks and democracy. Hugh said he really thinks everyone in the world want what we have.
Hugh asked Muslopia why he came to this country; Muslopia said he is a taxi cab driver and said he came to America for his family. Hugh then began to paint the parrallel of if Muslopia came to America for a better life for his family, then how is it wrong for others to want more of America in their country. In reality it may not be American music, clothing or coffee. It maybe our ideals, freedoms... our Democracy. I think Hugh said the other peoople want the same thing Muslopia came here to find, food, shelter, things many other countries cannot provide their citizenry.
Monday, July 11, 2005
2 Children Missing in Arizona, 3 Dead
Read the following article regarding the latest missing children posted to Arizona's Amber Alert system.
Anyone can sign up at AmberAlert.gov to receive text messages or emails for children gone recently missing. You can choose which state(s) from which to receive messages and even down to the individual county.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,162130,00.html
Anyone can sign up at AmberAlert.gov to receive text messages or emails for children gone recently missing. You can choose which state(s) from which to receive messages and even down to the individual county.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,162130,00.html
Saturday, July 09, 2005
"Pay Check Protection"
Read the article by Michael Reitz, "Big Labor Taking a Beating". http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,162000,00.html It informs us of a move by states to allow individual union members to decide if they want their respective labor groups to spend their dues money for political endeavors. This measure called "Pay Check Protection" has passed in 5 states and may be garnering more attention in the near future.
Mr. Reitz' article also shares interesting statistics on union membership numbers.
Mr. Reitz' article also shares interesting statistics on union membership numbers.
Friday, July 08, 2005
London Bombings 07/07/05
07/07
There was a different feeling one friend of mine said. “When I heard about 9/11 I was shocked and had mixed emotions. I felt remorse for the victims and families and anger toward those who caused this… however no fear.” He went on to say, “But when I heard about London today my personal feelings were different. I still felt remorse for those effected, but now I was scared. I had not been scared after 9/11.”
Pieces of CNN and FoxNews coverage of the events of the ‘yet to be named’ London bombings:
8:51 Liverpool Street Station a bomb goes off killing 7, injuring many others
8:56 Kings Crossing, Russell Square, bomb two kills 21
9:17 Three trains cars involved in third bomb blast killing 5
Then shortly after a Double Decker Bus blows up on the city streets.
Per the British law enforcement, there was “no warning”.
CNN- recorded speech of Prime Minister, Tony Blair from the G8 summit;
“We will not be intimidated.”
At Queen Elizabeth’s encouragement the Union Jack was being flown at half staff on top Buckingham Palace.
Blair gave a speech from the G8 podium. In just three minutes, Tony Blair gave what appeared to be a completely off-the-cuff speech. His speech was very emotional at times and seemed to take what happened as very personal.
“It is reasonably clear there have been a series of terrorist attacks in London. There are obviously casualties both people that have died and those injured. Thoughts and prayers are with the families.
Each of the countries around the table have some experience with the effects of terrorism…all countries share resolution to defeat terrorism.
It is particularly barbaric on a day when people are meeting to help the problem of poverty in Africa and climate change.
Also reasonably clear it is designed and aimed to coincide with the opening of G8. There will be time to talk later about this. It’s important however that hose engaged in terrorism realize… that our determination to defend our values and way of life is greater then their determination to cause death and destruction on innocent people and to pose extremism on the world.
Whatever they do it is our determination they will not succeed in destroying what we hold dear…”
I truly feel we are becoming like the Israelis during their war with Palestine, like the British and the Irish Republican Army... With each additional part fear, two parts strength and resolve. The
God be with Britian!
"Business as usual!"
There was a different feeling one friend of mine said. “When I heard about 9/11 I was shocked and had mixed emotions. I felt remorse for the victims and families and anger toward those who caused this… however no fear.” He went on to say, “But when I heard about London today my personal feelings were different. I still felt remorse for those effected, but now I was scared. I had not been scared after 9/11.”
Pieces of CNN and FoxNews coverage of the events of the ‘yet to be named’ London bombings:
8:51 Liverpool Street Station a bomb goes off killing 7, injuring many others
8:56 Kings Crossing, Russell Square, bomb two kills 21
9:17 Three trains cars involved in third bomb blast killing 5
Then shortly after a Double Decker Bus blows up on the city streets.
Per the British law enforcement, there was “no warning”.
CNN- recorded speech of Prime Minister, Tony Blair from the G8 summit;
“We will not be intimidated.”
At Queen Elizabeth’s encouragement the Union Jack was being flown at half staff on top Buckingham Palace.
Blair gave a speech from the G8 podium. In just three minutes, Tony Blair gave what appeared to be a completely off-the-cuff speech. His speech was very emotional at times and seemed to take what happened as very personal.
“It is reasonably clear there have been a series of terrorist attacks in London. There are obviously casualties both people that have died and those injured. Thoughts and prayers are with the families.
Each of the countries around the table have some experience with the effects of terrorism…all countries share resolution to defeat terrorism.
It is particularly barbaric on a day when people are meeting to help the problem of poverty in Africa and climate change.
Also reasonably clear it is designed and aimed to coincide with the opening of G8. There will be time to talk later about this. It’s important however that hose engaged in terrorism realize… that our determination to defend our values and way of life is greater then their determination to cause death and destruction on innocent people and to pose extremism on the world.
Whatever they do it is our determination they will not succeed in destroying what we hold dear…”
The Prime Minister's speech was doubly strong as leaders stood behind him stalwart and straight faced; President Bush, Chirac, Schroeder, Kofi Annan.
My friend also said, he feels a connection with the British people. MoreThanCorn agrees and this is contrary to what CNN was reporting the evening of 07/07. Statistics flashed on the screen showing those over 50 years old feel close to the British while the younger generations do not feel the same connection.
This patriotic plurality may be far beyond the ability for a few questions by a reporter to gauge the public feeling. CNN also seemed to make an attempt to politicize what happened. Statistics were also flashed on the screen showing half of the population of the US thinks the British were targeted because of their cooperation with the US in Iraq.
The fact is those killing innocents are “barbaric” as Prime Minister Blair said. They have no qualms with killing in one country or another, one day or a holiday, a church or a school. No small band of villains can hope to, by themselves, effect a countries policy or the world’s views. However, if they change the views or change the minds of a few people at a time, a neighborhood or eventually one country… into believing they would be better off with not fighting terrorism as we are today… example; Spain and their last election….this is how the few terrorists can methodically win.
The US under President Bush and the UK under Tony Blair will not change their views or ideals, tactics or opinions of the murderous people Al Qaeda has grown to be. Australia appears to be a strong ally. However, with much of the rest of the world, I do not have such confidence. Perhaps the London bombings will begin to change minds. Hopefully change to placing blame on terrorists and their acts and not the US in Iraq or Afganistan.
These speeches will forthcoming. Possibly they have started already, prior to MoreThanCorn turning on the news this evening. “Who really is responsible for 37 (X 2 or 3) Brithish dealths and 700 (X 2 or 3) maimed and injured? Is it the terrorists or is it the US?” The nerve of those who we will hear raising these questions. They are actually accusations framed as a question.
This was truly a day the world changed. The Prime Minister’s speech will undoubtedly make it into the books for history in our schools. I think his speech was testament and a representation of the strength of Britian. Tony Blair represents those on the street who watched and those who died.
I truly feel we are becoming like the Israelis during their war with Palestine, like the British and the Irish Republican Army... With each additional part fear, two parts strength and resolve. The
God be with Britian!
"Business as usual!"
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