An Israeli commando force attacked the six ships, which were carrying supplies that included cement, wheelchairs, paper and water purification systems, in international waters, 70 miles off the Gaza coast. The commandos boarded the Mavi Marmara passenger ferry, one of three ships provided by Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH), a Turkish aid organization.   Tehran Times 

To watch Al Jazeera TV is to learn that on May 31^st, in the middle of the night, Israeli commandos stormed a humanitarian flotillia that was trying to bring aid to the people of Gaza.  Unprovoked, nine peace loving people were killed by the murderous Israelis.  Immediately Turkey, France, the European Union, Russia, the United Nations Secretary General and many others all express deep outrage.  Why would Israel, a democracy, engage in such an outrageous unlawful act of hateful brutality?

To understand the question is to know the answer.  And to know the answer  is to know some truths. 

The first truth is that from a public relations standpoint, Israel fell into the nightmare trap those hoping for its destruction had set.  That is folly on the behalf of the Israelis.  The second truth is that almost none of the statements mentioned at the top of this blog post have any relationship with reality.

Continue reading →

Cultural norms change.  In 1993, when Democratic President Bill Clinton initiated the “don’t ask, don’t tell” rule regarding homosexuals serving in the military, it was approved by the majority of the American people who thought it “fair”, though disapproved by the majority of those serving in the armed forces. (who thought it tampering with their institution) It was seen as a sort of compromise.  An attempt by the chief executive to not get too far ahead of society’s cultural norms, while recognizing that homosexuals had a “place” in the nation’s military.

When President Harry Truman signed executive order 9981 which integrated the military, you could say that he moved ahead of the nation in terms of what most Americans thought was appropriate. President Abraham Lincoln used black troops during the Civil War so as to strengthen his forces and for various political reasons.

Some argue that the military is not a place for ”social experimentation”.  On the surface that argument has some merit and is used by those opposed to repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell”.  However, I believe Congress, particularly Congressional Democrats, acted correctly to initiate the process by which people will be legally assured they can serve their country regardless of their sexual orientation.

Continue reading →

Dr Craig Venter

One of the best TV series I ever watched was a BBC documentary called “The Day the Universe Changed”.  It was hosted by James Burke and was ten episodes long.  Viewers were informed how changes in belief systems, or inventions dramatically altered human understanding of the world around them.  For example, when Copernicus declares that scientific evidence shows the Earth is not the center of the universe, our whole world changed in terms of human perceptions of reality and how things operate….though nothing had really changed within the real universe itself.

Last week a virtually unrecognized event took place which is of potential monumental importance. Dr. Craig Venter created a “synthetic cell” with precise genome code that allowed directed DNA to be in complete control of a cell. Human beings had created a biological self replicating life form from computer code.

I ponder that marvel and wonder what are the implications…and whether it is a good thing or a bad thing? 

Continue reading →

It is the constitutional responsibility of the federal government to secure the nation’s borders.  The government of the United States has completely failed in this responsibility. Now some states, such as Arizona, are responding to the desires of their citizen by taking matters into their own hands and enacting new state immigration laws. Last month, Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona signed into law (AB 1070) a measure aimed at prosecuting and deported illegal immigrants.  Both the governor’s action…..and the inaction of the federal government….are a response to political pressures.  

The law that Governor Brewer signed would allow police broad power to detain anyone they reasonably thought were in this country illegally.  It virtually forces people of color to carry on them immigration papers in case there is contact with law enforcement.

I believe that unchecked immigration is a significant problem and one that desperately needs to be addressed.  However, although over 70% of Arizonians are in favor of AB 1070, and almost 60% of all Americans agree with the new state law, I am opposed to this bill, and think it will hurt the cause of those in favor of taking strong action against illegal immigration more than it will help.

Continue reading →

“The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.” – Cicero – 55 BCÂ

In mid-February I wrote about the PIIGS (Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Spain) and how a sovereign debt crisis was soon to grip Europe.  During the past week, world markets have risen and plunged depending upon the market’s perception of what policies governments would employ to address the “Greek crisis” and its attendant risk of international contagion. 

After various trial balloons were floated, Europe got ahead of the curve and proposed almost a trillion dollar fund that Euro members could access should they find themselves in need of liquidity so as to pay their obligations.

The question I pose is whether having access to borrow more even money will solve the debt crisis that already grips some countries…and is an impending theoretical threat to many Western nations.

Continue reading →

Do you believe in aliens?  I do. 

Oh, I’m not talking about green men from Mars, though in theory I could be.  Nor am I talking about some farmer from the Midwest being taken into a flying saucer and living to tell all about it. What I’m talking about is the possibility, the probability…in fact, the almost mathematical certainty that (intelligent) life exists elsewhere in the universe.

I’ve got good company that believes as I do.  Stephan Hawkings, the famous wheelchair bound theoretical physicist also believes that extraterrestrials are almost certain to exist.

In a universe of 100 billion galaxies, each containing hundreds of millions of stars and planets, conditions for life almost certainly are not exclusive to Earth alone.  Although a lot of that life outside Earth is probably comprised mostly of simple animals and microbes, I believe that intelligent beings exist as well. (though I think it very doubtful any have ever visited Earth)  

Continue reading →

Dr Taro Yokoyama

History dealt a tough hand to all those born in the middle of the Great Depression.  If you were born of Japanese heritage, as was Taro Yokoyama, whether you grew up in the United States and spent your childhood interned in an American relocation camp during World War II, or grew up in Japan and saw the skies filled with aircraft dropping bombs, the formative years were traumatic. Like all young people, the choice of what to do with your life lay before you.

Fortunately for me, Taro Yokoyama chose to dedicate his life to specializing in open heart surgery.  In particular, he specializes in “high risk” surgeries many surgeons won’t attempt.

At the time of my own personal need, when a random event led to the discovery of my having a life threatening elephantine size massive aorta aneurysm, Dr. Yokoyama had been practicing surgery for 50 years.  I placed my life and more into the hands of this 75 year old calm, brilliant and steady man of few words. Here is my story. 

Continue reading →

Kirk Gibson

I find it most interesting that life, and it’s memories, often have sounds or smells associated with events.   How often do we hear a song on the radio and it reminds of that day long ago when……..  Or we enter a room and smell a soft but distinct odor and we are flashed back to a time from the past?

Somewhat similarly, there are times in life when an event is so profound that we remember where we were at the instant of their occurence.  People used to talk about what they were doing when they learned of President John Kennedy’s assassination.  More recently, many people have a vivid memory of the moment they learned of the World Trade Centers being attacked 9/11/01. 

For me, I have distinct memories of where I was, and how I felt, watching sporting events that I deem as classic.  I’m from Los Angeles, and so my mind floats to these thoughts.  If you are a sports fan from another town, your thoughts probably move to moments that animated you.

Continue reading →

Corporations are inherently neither good nor bad.  They are rather amoral creations.  Corporations are manmade legal constructs run by people, for people.  They strive for profits and growth, goals which almost universally animate how they are directed. As corporations pursue their best interests they provide people with employment and offer such creature comforts such as cell phones, improved washing detergent and instant coffee. They also are capable of crashing the financial system and ruthlessly firing loyal employees.

Sergey Brin is a Russian born computer whiz who emigrated from Russia to the United States when he was six years old.  His family left Russia because his parents felt oppressed because of their religion….and because of a lack of upward employment mobility. Sergey went on to co-found the search engine Google in the mid 1990’s while a student at Stanford University. Google’s company motto can roughly be translated into “do no evil”. Recently, at the urgings of Mr. Brin, Google changed its course and left the Chinese market after a five year run.  They deserve to be cheered loudly for this decision.

Continue reading →

Ludwig Van Beethoven

Artist through the ages have dealt with the questions of life’s meaning and self.   Why are we here?  What does it all mean?  Am I really even here? Who am I?  Whether the artist is a painter, a poet, a dancer, a writer or a musician…..the questions of life, love and meaning are constantly at play.

On February 10^th, 2010 the aged rock band The WHO played the halftime show during the Super Bowl.  Reviews of their performance were underwhelming.  Why people asked, were these guys given center stage during America’s biggest show?  Personally, I think it was a mistake to cast The WHO in 2010.  However, the band did have its day, and once had its say.

My favorite lyrics in rock music are those found on the last song on The WHO’s 1973 double album Quadrophenia.  The concept album deals with a protagonist trying to find himself and meaning.  

Continue reading →