Overnight, the night of 17-18 December, Polish Police has broken into NATO Headquarters in Warsaw and occupied the premises. Vitznau News has categorically confirmed this development. We will stay tuned for further developments.
Freitag, 18. Dezember 2015
Mittwoch, 9. September 2015
Dienstag, 8. September 2015
Considerations regarding Obstruction of Justice - President Richard Nixon and Democratic Candidate Hillary Clinton
During the famous Watergate Scandal, it became known, at one Point, that the White House had installed an elaborate System for recording numerous Conversations with President Nixon. This Fact became known, almost offhandedly, when a certain Aide to the President, Alexander Butterfield, disclosed the Existence of the Contraption during a Congressional Hearing.
Obviously, a furious Battle thereupon ensued, to have the Recordings released and President Nixon, predictably, tried to do everything possible in order to avoid doing so. The Issue was ultimately decided by the Supreme Court and the Ruling went against the President.
Interestingly, at some Point or another, or perhaps at more than one Point, President Nixon, who was also a Lawyer, considered „erasing” or „destroying” the Recordings. Several of his Advisers, including James St. Clair, who was his Criminal Defense Lawyer, strongly advised him against doing so, because that would likely result in the President being accused and indicted on Obstruction of Justice Charges. Nixon ended up not erasing the Tapes (except for the Mystery of an 18 Minute Gap which was supposedly and inadvertently erased by President Nixon's Secretary, Rosemary Woods).
We think it is possible to put these Events into Juxtaposition with both hypothetical and current Events. Imagine yourself, imagine any of us, being in Posession of Evidence which we are asked to turn over to the Government, the FBI, any Federal (or lower) investigative Authority and refusing to do so. Worse yet, imagine that we would have erased or destroyed such Evidence, either before or after we were asked to turn such Evidence over. Any of doing such a Thing would find himself or herself in Front of a Federal Judge answering Charges of Obstruction of Justice so fast, it would make your Head spin.
But, and that is the interesting Thing, not Mrs. Clinton. Mrs. Clinton erased (deleted, whatever) Records which arguably were Recordings of Federal Government Correspondence, some possibly classified, some not (certainly Mr. Nixon's famous „Expletive(s) Deleted” were not classified, although deleted)...and now, she maintains among other Things, that she is „sorry” but there is an Explanation for everyting...that she is not going to issue an Apology...that she is concerned about other „Things and Issues” as she pursues her Candidacy for the Democratic Nomination for President of the United States.
There has been one Incident after another, concerning both Mr. and Mrs. Clinton, we do not want to mention the salacious ones here...there have been those and there have been others which, at the very least, involved bad Judgment and, possibly or likely, worse.
And, technically, using the Rationale of „Reductio ad Absurdum” we can even assume for a Moment that they, in this Case, Mrs. Clinton has (have) done nothing wrong. We can even assume that if Mrs. Clinton were to be dragged before a Federal Judge or Jury by the FBI and the Justice Department on Obstruction of Justice Charges, she would be found not guilty by a Jury of her Peers (or, perhaps, People of lower Stature than her).
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/clinton-says-sorry-for-email-confusion-denies-wrongdoing/ar-AAdXja0?li=AA54ur&srcref=rss&ocid=iehrs
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/clinton-says-no-email-apology-what-i-did-was-allowed/ar-AAe3cjH?li=AA54ur&srcref=rss&ocid=iehrs
We think such an Argument misses the Point.
Because, even in such a Case, the Question nonetheless remains, if this Country, at this critical Juncture in its History, confronted by a large Series of Problems which require not only good Judgment, Vision and Creativity...but also a Reputation and Integrity beyond Reproach...if this Country needs or wants a President who, Mrs. Clinton would argue, succesfully or not, is just on this Side of the Line of having done nothing illegal.
This is the Question which, ultimately, the Democratic Party would have to decide, irrespective of what Mr. Sanders is able to do in his Campaign and irrespective of whether Vice President Biden, who arguably may not have the intestinal Fortitude to endure an arduous Campaign, after the personal Tragedy which has beset him and, who, after all, is not young.
And if the Democratic Party decides that all this does not matter, then, even more importantly, this Decision, which is, it would seem, is not one to be taken lightly, would fall on the American People, whether to entrust the Destiny of coming Generations, the Destiny of America...into the Hands of Mrs. Hillary Clinton.
As Television Commentator Edward R. Murrow would have said (and most of us, admittedly, probably do not remember or do not even know who he was)...
„Good Night and Good Luck.”
Obviously, a furious Battle thereupon ensued, to have the Recordings released and President Nixon, predictably, tried to do everything possible in order to avoid doing so. The Issue was ultimately decided by the Supreme Court and the Ruling went against the President.
Interestingly, at some Point or another, or perhaps at more than one Point, President Nixon, who was also a Lawyer, considered „erasing” or „destroying” the Recordings. Several of his Advisers, including James St. Clair, who was his Criminal Defense Lawyer, strongly advised him against doing so, because that would likely result in the President being accused and indicted on Obstruction of Justice Charges. Nixon ended up not erasing the Tapes (except for the Mystery of an 18 Minute Gap which was supposedly and inadvertently erased by President Nixon's Secretary, Rosemary Woods).
We think it is possible to put these Events into Juxtaposition with both hypothetical and current Events. Imagine yourself, imagine any of us, being in Posession of Evidence which we are asked to turn over to the Government, the FBI, any Federal (or lower) investigative Authority and refusing to do so. Worse yet, imagine that we would have erased or destroyed such Evidence, either before or after we were asked to turn such Evidence over. Any of doing such a Thing would find himself or herself in Front of a Federal Judge answering Charges of Obstruction of Justice so fast, it would make your Head spin.
But, and that is the interesting Thing, not Mrs. Clinton. Mrs. Clinton erased (deleted, whatever) Records which arguably were Recordings of Federal Government Correspondence, some possibly classified, some not (certainly Mr. Nixon's famous „Expletive(s) Deleted” were not classified, although deleted)...and now, she maintains among other Things, that she is „sorry” but there is an Explanation for everyting...that she is not going to issue an Apology...that she is concerned about other „Things and Issues” as she pursues her Candidacy for the Democratic Nomination for President of the United States.
There has been one Incident after another, concerning both Mr. and Mrs. Clinton, we do not want to mention the salacious ones here...there have been those and there have been others which, at the very least, involved bad Judgment and, possibly or likely, worse.
And, technically, using the Rationale of „Reductio ad Absurdum” we can even assume for a Moment that they, in this Case, Mrs. Clinton has (have) done nothing wrong. We can even assume that if Mrs. Clinton were to be dragged before a Federal Judge or Jury by the FBI and the Justice Department on Obstruction of Justice Charges, she would be found not guilty by a Jury of her Peers (or, perhaps, People of lower Stature than her).
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/clinton-says-sorry-for-email-confusion-denies-wrongdoing/ar-AAdXja0?li=AA54ur&srcref=rss&ocid=iehrs
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/clinton-says-no-email-apology-what-i-did-was-allowed/ar-AAe3cjH?li=AA54ur&srcref=rss&ocid=iehrs
We think such an Argument misses the Point.
Because, even in such a Case, the Question nonetheless remains, if this Country, at this critical Juncture in its History, confronted by a large Series of Problems which require not only good Judgment, Vision and Creativity...but also a Reputation and Integrity beyond Reproach...if this Country needs or wants a President who, Mrs. Clinton would argue, succesfully or not, is just on this Side of the Line of having done nothing illegal.
This is the Question which, ultimately, the Democratic Party would have to decide, irrespective of what Mr. Sanders is able to do in his Campaign and irrespective of whether Vice President Biden, who arguably may not have the intestinal Fortitude to endure an arduous Campaign, after the personal Tragedy which has beset him and, who, after all, is not young.
And if the Democratic Party decides that all this does not matter, then, even more importantly, this Decision, which is, it would seem, is not one to be taken lightly, would fall on the American People, whether to entrust the Destiny of coming Generations, the Destiny of America...into the Hands of Mrs. Hillary Clinton.
As Television Commentator Edward R. Murrow would have said (and most of us, admittedly, probably do not remember or do not even know who he was)...
„Good Night and Good Luck.”
Dienstag, 4. November 2014
Ralph Nader on Hillary Clinton on Fox Business News - A Menace to the United States
By any Measure, the Collection of Characters would be bizarre and Mind boggling; Ralph Nader, Hillary Clinton, Fox News...sort of like mixing Chili Peper with Fried Donuts and then adding White Vinegar to it...Still, sometimes, in order to think out of the Box, it is perhaps not a bad Idea to do just that...and listen to them:
Ralph Nader sparring over Hillary Clinton with somebody named Cavuto, on Fox Business News:
http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/3869704531001/ralph-nader-hillary-clinton-is-a-menace-to-the-us/?intcmp=sem_outloud#sp=show-Clips
One Thing's for sure...neither of them likes her and they both give plenty of Reasons why one should look with utmost Scrutiny and Concern over the presumed Candidacy of Hillary Clinton for President of the United States...
Ralph Nader goes as far as to call her a „Menace to (the Interests of) the United States.”
Sonntag, 15. Juni 2014
Tony Blair: Reductio ad Absurdum
In the Midst of the Chaos which is currently unfolding in Iraq, there comes our old Tony Blair (the former British Prime Minister) and makes this profound Statement on Sky News:
One might call Tony Blair's Statement to be just plain idiotic. But that would be generous, we think. Tony Blair's Statement is just plain arrogant and it demonstrates the Irresponsibility which he displayed as Prime Minister, in embarking, along with George W. Bush into an Adventure in Iraq which cost, nobody really knows how much it cost, but to say that it cost in Excess of One Trillion U. S. Dollars would be by no Means an Exaggeration and, more importantly, which cost Hundreds of British Lives, Thousands of American Lives and Tens if not Hundreds of Thousands of Iraqi and other Lives.
If a lowly, inconsequential Employee at some non descript Fast Food Chain would have given to his Boss the Response which Tony Blair gave as an Excuse to Fox News, he would have been likely fired on the Spot and rightly so.
But Tony Blair's Fate is different. He has been rewarded for his Irresponsibility not only by getting invited to countless Television and other Interviews, but also landing huge, huge Contracts which have earned him enormous Sums of Money.
Failure pays would be the Reductio ad Absurdum which Tony Blair's Case demonstrates.
"You can carry on debating about whether it was right or wrong what we did in 2003 but whatever had been done, you were always going to have a problem of deep instability in the region and in Iraq,..."
A very happy Tony Blair giving one of his „profound” Explanations
One might call Tony Blair's Statement to be just plain idiotic. But that would be generous, we think. Tony Blair's Statement is just plain arrogant and it demonstrates the Irresponsibility which he displayed as Prime Minister, in embarking, along with George W. Bush into an Adventure in Iraq which cost, nobody really knows how much it cost, but to say that it cost in Excess of One Trillion U. S. Dollars would be by no Means an Exaggeration and, more importantly, which cost Hundreds of British Lives, Thousands of American Lives and Tens if not Hundreds of Thousands of Iraqi and other Lives.
If a lowly, inconsequential Employee at some non descript Fast Food Chain would have given to his Boss the Response which Tony Blair gave as an Excuse to Fox News, he would have been likely fired on the Spot and rightly so.
But Tony Blair's Fate is different. He has been rewarded for his Irresponsibility not only by getting invited to countless Television and other Interviews, but also landing huge, huge Contracts which have earned him enormous Sums of Money.
Failure pays would be the Reductio ad Absurdum which Tony Blair's Case demonstrates.
Mittwoch, 4. Dezember 2013
A Hallucinogenic Performance
A short Clip; for those who may want to reach a Hallucinogenic Climax through a Historical Perspective...
This is called Anna Bolena...written in 1830...roughly the Story of Anne Boleyn, the Anne of a Thousand Days.
It was composed by someone by the Name of Gaetano Donizetti, who died insane and a relatively young Age
(1797-1848).
The Character in this Short Segment is Giovanna. The Performer is Giulietta Simionato (1910-2010). Simionato died 7 Days Short of her 100th Birthday.
The Performance is from La Scala in Milan, 14 April 1957 (Live Recording).
(Maria Callas was Anna Bolena in the Performance).
The Conductor was Gianandrea Gavazzeni (1909-1996).
The Lyrics are as follows:
Ach, bedenkt,
dass Himmel und Erde auf Euch blicken,
dass jedes Herz seine Fehler hat,
für die es anderen Gnade schuldet.
Möge Enrico auf das Mitleid hören,
wenn der König zur Strenge neigt.
This is called Anna Bolena...written in 1830...roughly the Story of Anne Boleyn, the Anne of a Thousand Days.
It was composed by someone by the Name of Gaetano Donizetti, who died insane and a relatively young Age
(1797-1848).
The Character in this Short Segment is Giovanna. The Performer is Giulietta Simionato (1910-2010). Simionato died 7 Days Short of her 100th Birthday.
Giulietta Simionato (here as Amneris)
(Maria Callas was Anna Bolena in the Performance).
The Conductor was Gianandrea Gavazzeni (1909-1996).
The Lyrics are as follows:
GIOVANNA
Ah! pensate che rivolti
Terra e Cielo han gli occhi in voi;
Che ogni core ha i falli suoi
Per dovere altrui mercé.
La pietade Enrico ascolti,
Se al rigore è spinto il Re.
Ah! pensate che rivolti
Terra e Cielo han gli occhi in voi;
Che ogni core ha i falli suoi
Per dovere altrui mercé.
La pietade Enrico ascolti,
Se al rigore è spinto il Re.
(English Translation)
GIOVANNA
Ah, think
Heaven and Earth have their Eyes on you,
That every Heart has its Flaws;
so that it owes to others Mercy.
May Enrico (King Henry VIII) hear the Call of Pity,
If the King tends to be severe.
That every Heart has its Flaws;
so that it owes to others Mercy.
May Enrico (King Henry VIII) hear the Call of Pity,
If the King tends to be severe.
(German Translation)
GIOVANNA Ach, bedenkt,
dass Himmel und Erde auf Euch blicken,
dass jedes Herz seine Fehler hat,
für die es anderen Gnade schuldet.
Möge Enrico auf das Mitleid hören,
wenn der König zur Strenge neigt.
Freitag, 22. November 2013
IN MEMORIAM
The 50th Anniversary of the Assasination of President John F. Kennedy.
22 November 1963 - 22 November 2013
An Event which marked a Change in the Course of America.
An Assassination about which Questions still remain.
Dedication:
By G. Verdi (Macbeth, 1847)
(5 Minutes, 44 Seconds)
This Performance is from the Teatro Reggio di Parma.
(Seen as Macbeth is Baritone Leo Nucci)
22 November 1963 - 22 November 2013
An Event which marked a Change in the Course of America.
An Assassination about which Questions still remain.
President John F. Kennedy (1917 - 1963)
Dedication:
Ondine e Silfidi
By G. Verdi (Macbeth, 1847)
(5 Minutes, 44 Seconds)
This Performance is from the Teatro Reggio di Parma.
(Seen as Macbeth is Baritone Leo Nucci)
As Edward R. Murrow would have said, Good Night and Good Luck.
Donnerstag, 31. Oktober 2013
The Runaway Money Printing Policy of the Fed(eral Reserve Bank)
Fresh on the Heels of the Government Shutdown and the painful Necessity to raise the Debt Ceiling a surprising but not unexpected Announcement from the Fed, in the waning Days of the Chairmanship of Mr. Bernanke:
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/fed-says-it-will-keep-stimulating-economy-leaves-rates-unchanged-8C11498307
Basically, the Fed, under Mr. Bernanke's Policy of so called „Quantitative Easing” just announced that will be pouring another $ 85 Billion into the Stock Market, buying Bonds, each Month, for the foreseeable Future, until at least March ofr 2014. This is Money which is not reflected in the Federal Deficit and Money which the Government neither has, nor has authorized through Congress. The Report further states and we are quoting here,
Wall Street had expected the Fed to refrain from tapering its so-called Money Printing Operation. (Emphasis added).
According, to The New York Times,on the other Hand,
Now, as Mr. Bernanke prepares to clean up his Desk and leave his Office at the Federal Reserve, the several Trillion Dollars that he has spent, under this ill advised Policy will, of course, remain on the Books backed by Bonds. What Kind of Bonds? Goodness only knows. It will be Mrs. Yellen's Job, presumably, to find out.
This stubborn Policy, pursued by Mr. Bernanke, to „Lift the Economy by the Bootstraps” under some strange Trickle Down Theory strongly reminsicent of „Reaganomics” has been conducted by Mr. Bernanke, if not singlehandedly, because he has had the Concurrence (although not unanimous) of the Federal Reserve Board Members, certainly without the Approval, Appropriation or even Advice of Congress nor that of the President of the United States.
It is true, that the Federal Reserve Board is supposed to function independently. One wonders aloud, however, if under „independently” the Framers of the Law setting up the Federal Reserve Bank had in mind it spending $ 85 Billion per Month without any Accountability whatsoever. No such Thing has ever been done by anyone else, anywhere, ever, with the one notable Exception of Vice President Cheney, who spent Billions on the War in Iraq, also without Congressional Approval.
It must be said, in Defense of Mr. Cheney, that the Sums of Money he spent pale in Comparison to the Amounts being spent by Mr. Bernanke.
This is also coming at a Time where incalculable Effort has been spent on showing that there has not been and there is going to be Little if any Inflation in the Consumer Price Index.
It would take too long to fully examine what that Statement is supposed to mean. However, in Shorthand, it can safely be said that „No Inflation” means „No Inflation” except that certain Things are not to be included in the Equation, to mention a Few, Energy (Fuel and Utilities), Housing, Commodities (Food) plus a Couple of other Things here and there...
Even that Theory, as flawed as it is, has come under Scrutiny by the Mainstream, although many Economists have questioned ist Wisdom for a long Time.
See...
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/27/business/economy/in-fed-and-out-many-now-think-inflation-helps.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20131027&_r=0
Janet Yellen, the presumptive incoming Chair(wo)man of the Federal Reserves disagrees with Mr. Bernanke and believes that a draconian Control on Inflation (while notably excluding the Categories noted above and more) is not necessarily a beneficial Policy.
But the Consequences will be for her to sort out, once Mr. Bernanke leaves.
We are not sure where Mr. Bernanke is headed; Rumours have persisted and it appears that it is his wish to return to teaching at Princeton University; we simply don't know. Earlier, we mentioned, we believe more than once, that President Woodrow Wilson (who was also President of his beloved Princeton University), may have rolled in his Grave (more than once) at the Thought of some of the Things that Mr. Bernanke did; to this, we need to add that he surely would have also scratched his head, if he would have been able to.
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/fed-says-it-will-keep-stimulating-economy-leaves-rates-unchanged-8C11498307
Basically, the Fed, under Mr. Bernanke's Policy of so called „Quantitative Easing” just announced that will be pouring another $ 85 Billion into the Stock Market, buying Bonds, each Month, for the foreseeable Future, until at least March ofr 2014. This is Money which is not reflected in the Federal Deficit and Money which the Government neither has, nor has authorized through Congress. The Report further states and we are quoting here,
Wall Street had expected the Fed to refrain from tapering its so-called Money Printing Operation. (Emphasis added).
According, to The New York Times,on the other Hand,
|
The
statement contained no surprises, and the stock market barely budged. The Fed
was widely expected to continue adding $85 billion a month to its portfolio
of Treasury securities and mortgage-backed securities, particularly in the
aftermath of the disruptive partial shutdown of the federal government in the
first half of October.
|
|
The
Fed maintained a relatively optimistic economic outlook in the statement,
released after a scheduled two-day meeting of its policy-making committee. It
said the economy continued to expand “at a moderate pace” and that the
availability of jobs continued to improve.
|
Now, as Mr. Bernanke prepares to clean up his Desk and leave his Office at the Federal Reserve, the several Trillion Dollars that he has spent, under this ill advised Policy will, of course, remain on the Books backed by Bonds. What Kind of Bonds? Goodness only knows. It will be Mrs. Yellen's Job, presumably, to find out.
This stubborn Policy, pursued by Mr. Bernanke, to „Lift the Economy by the Bootstraps” under some strange Trickle Down Theory strongly reminsicent of „Reaganomics” has been conducted by Mr. Bernanke, if not singlehandedly, because he has had the Concurrence (although not unanimous) of the Federal Reserve Board Members, certainly without the Approval, Appropriation or even Advice of Congress nor that of the President of the United States.
It is true, that the Federal Reserve Board is supposed to function independently. One wonders aloud, however, if under „independently” the Framers of the Law setting up the Federal Reserve Bank had in mind it spending $ 85 Billion per Month without any Accountability whatsoever. No such Thing has ever been done by anyone else, anywhere, ever, with the one notable Exception of Vice President Cheney, who spent Billions on the War in Iraq, also without Congressional Approval.
It must be said, in Defense of Mr. Cheney, that the Sums of Money he spent pale in Comparison to the Amounts being spent by Mr. Bernanke.
This is also coming at a Time where incalculable Effort has been spent on showing that there has not been and there is going to be Little if any Inflation in the Consumer Price Index.
It would take too long to fully examine what that Statement is supposed to mean. However, in Shorthand, it can safely be said that „No Inflation” means „No Inflation” except that certain Things are not to be included in the Equation, to mention a Few, Energy (Fuel and Utilities), Housing, Commodities (Food) plus a Couple of other Things here and there...
Even that Theory, as flawed as it is, has come under Scrutiny by the Mainstream, although many Economists have questioned ist Wisdom for a long Time.
See...
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/27/business/economy/in-fed-and-out-many-now-think-inflation-helps.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20131027&_r=0
Janet Yellen, the presumptive incoming Chair(wo)man of the Federal Reserves disagrees with Mr. Bernanke and believes that a draconian Control on Inflation (while notably excluding the Categories noted above and more) is not necessarily a beneficial Policy.
But the Consequences will be for her to sort out, once Mr. Bernanke leaves.
We are not sure where Mr. Bernanke is headed; Rumours have persisted and it appears that it is his wish to return to teaching at Princeton University; we simply don't know. Earlier, we mentioned, we believe more than once, that President Woodrow Wilson (who was also President of his beloved Princeton University), may have rolled in his Grave (more than once) at the Thought of some of the Things that Mr. Bernanke did; to this, we need to add that he surely would have also scratched his head, if he would have been able to.
The Need for a Positive Approach to the Medical System in the United States
The First Thing that needs to be said here is that the Medical System in the United States does need to be drastically reformed. It is the most expensive Medical System in the World and No. 2 does not even come close. To make Things worse, someone who lives in the United States has about the same Life Expectancy as one does in Cuba, Way behind Places like Japan, Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany or, say, even behind Singapore or Cyprus.
The Health Care Reform Act (so called „Obamacare”) is an Attempt at doing precisely that. However, what started as a well intentioned and even noble Effort was deteriorated by Compromise after Compromise and became filled with Loopholes which, not unexpectedly, Health Insurance Providers are eagerly trying to exploit.
Just to set something in Perspective: the United States has the highest paid Doctors in the World. Many Doctors who graduate from Medical School in Foreign Countries, where the Cost of getting this Education is Zero or near Zero, trek over as soon as they can to the United States where they can earn 100 Times or 1.000 Times more than they can in the Country where they went to School, leaving their Governments angry at having invested in their Education but not being able to retain Doctors in their own Country, where they are so desperately needed.
Doctors are just one additional Problem. Hospitals have in place Elaborate Systems to extract the Maximum possible Revenue not only from Insurers but from the Government as well, when providing Medicare or Medicaid covered Services. Both the Government and Insurance Companies fight back. Some think, Hospitals know how to outsmart not only the Insurance Companies but, more importantly, the Government.
If you are an Individual who would pay out of your own Pocket for Medical Care without having any Insurance, forget it. The so called „List Prices” for Facilities and Services could be (and generally are) several Times higher than what the contracted Prices which the Insurance Companies or the Government pays are.
One Example that has been used alegorically over and over is the Cost of an MRI, which is the modern Version of a simple X-Ray. Sometimes, just an X-Ray might suffice but, not surprisingly, Hospitals almost exclusively do MRI's which can be/are far more profitable. Just how profitable? The List Price for an MRI can vary, are you ready for this, anywhere from $ 800,00 up to $ 17.000,00 at some Hospitals. And that, according to a recent investigative Report, for the same exact Procedure.
Ever wondered what an MRI costs in Germany? We can end your Suspense: $ 160,00. France: $ 160,00. Italy? $ 140,00. Japan, which has one of the highest Cost of Living Indexes in the World? $ 60,00. All, using the same Equipment. Now, an MRI is no indication of how long you are going to live but it can be more than a Coincidence that People in Japan live the longest followed by those in Italy.
There have been well publicized Problems with the Federal Government's Health Insurance Marketplace Website; These were not to be unexpected and certainly will be resolved, probably sooner rather than later. The Problem, however, lies deeper than that.
Most People are clearly dissatisfied with the Situation as it currently stands and is developing.
http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/30/21252291-poll-majority-think-health-law-needs-overhaul-or-elimination?lite
The Question, we believe, is just what Kind of a Path is necessary to go forward, whether Congress, the Health Insurance Industry, Hospitals, Doctors and Health Workers want to hear it or not. Health Care in the United States consumes, if one includes the Cost of Litigation (such as Malpractice) associated with Health Care to more than 18% of the GNP, a staggering Amount. Even without the Cost of Litigation, it is in Excess of 16%. Some sort of National or quasi National Reform which would include Coverage ensuring reasonably unform Health Care for all Americans is not only necessary, but also overdue, way, way, way overdue. Bismark figured this out way back in the 1890's. Every other industrialized Nation and many others in the lower Tier have some System to deal with Health Care for its Population in some Form or another. There are Similarities as well as Differences between the Systems that various Countries use. That is not only understandable but to be expected.
And, as President Obama stated (and conceded, although others did not), one must start from building by drawing on the System that is already in Place.
Looking at the American Precedents already in Place, why not keep everybody's Insurance where it is (which is what was originally envisioned), take all the uninsured under the Threat of a Penalty (as the Legislation does now) and throw them into a Medicare/Medicaid/quasi Medicare/Medicaid Program and then, based upon Verification of Employment or Self Employment, charged them a Premium based on Income/Ability for Coverage. Then take the Insurance Premium which would be actuarially appropriate for that Individual and throw it on an Insurance Company based on a statistical Pool. Insurance Companies which throw Individuals out of their Plans hoping to cash in on the Bonanza, would be discouraged in doing that because all that would happen to those Cases is, the Government would turn around and throw the Policies back at them through this Assigned Risk Pool and charge the Premiums which should prevail; they would be the same or lower as what the Individuals would have had under their previous Plan, since the Insurance Companies would try to change the Insurance Plan only for those who they thought they could get more Money from.
Bottom Line, except for General Rate Revisions (which is not what one should be talking about right now), all Insurance Health Insurance Policies which are already in Place, should not be changed based on „Technicalities” (Change in Provisions, number of Insured Covered and so on). This, however is not what is happening right now and, some say, 14-18 Million Americans could be either left without Health Coverage or be forced to pay significantly higher or exorbitant Rates or, worse, be thrown out of the Insurance Pool altogether. This is the very opposite of what the Law is trying to accomplish.
http://investigations.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/29/21222195-obama-administration-knew-millions-could-not-keep-their-health-insurance?lite
Chart showing the astronomical Rise of Health Care Costs in the United States
The Health Care Reform Act (so called „Obamacare”) is an Attempt at doing precisely that. However, what started as a well intentioned and even noble Effort was deteriorated by Compromise after Compromise and became filled with Loopholes which, not unexpectedly, Health Insurance Providers are eagerly trying to exploit.
Just to set something in Perspective: the United States has the highest paid Doctors in the World. Many Doctors who graduate from Medical School in Foreign Countries, where the Cost of getting this Education is Zero or near Zero, trek over as soon as they can to the United States where they can earn 100 Times or 1.000 Times more than they can in the Country where they went to School, leaving their Governments angry at having invested in their Education but not being able to retain Doctors in their own Country, where they are so desperately needed.
Doctors are just one additional Problem. Hospitals have in place Elaborate Systems to extract the Maximum possible Revenue not only from Insurers but from the Government as well, when providing Medicare or Medicaid covered Services. Both the Government and Insurance Companies fight back. Some think, Hospitals know how to outsmart not only the Insurance Companies but, more importantly, the Government.
If you are an Individual who would pay out of your own Pocket for Medical Care without having any Insurance, forget it. The so called „List Prices” for Facilities and Services could be (and generally are) several Times higher than what the contracted Prices which the Insurance Companies or the Government pays are.
One Example that has been used alegorically over and over is the Cost of an MRI, which is the modern Version of a simple X-Ray. Sometimes, just an X-Ray might suffice but, not surprisingly, Hospitals almost exclusively do MRI's which can be/are far more profitable. Just how profitable? The List Price for an MRI can vary, are you ready for this, anywhere from $ 800,00 up to $ 17.000,00 at some Hospitals. And that, according to a recent investigative Report, for the same exact Procedure.
Ever wondered what an MRI costs in Germany? We can end your Suspense: $ 160,00. France: $ 160,00. Italy? $ 140,00. Japan, which has one of the highest Cost of Living Indexes in the World? $ 60,00. All, using the same Equipment. Now, an MRI is no indication of how long you are going to live but it can be more than a Coincidence that People in Japan live the longest followed by those in Italy.
There have been well publicized Problems with the Federal Government's Health Insurance Marketplace Website; These were not to be unexpected and certainly will be resolved, probably sooner rather than later. The Problem, however, lies deeper than that.
Most People are clearly dissatisfied with the Situation as it currently stands and is developing.
http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/30/21252291-poll-majority-think-health-law-needs-overhaul-or-elimination?lite
The Question, we believe, is just what Kind of a Path is necessary to go forward, whether Congress, the Health Insurance Industry, Hospitals, Doctors and Health Workers want to hear it or not. Health Care in the United States consumes, if one includes the Cost of Litigation (such as Malpractice) associated with Health Care to more than 18% of the GNP, a staggering Amount. Even without the Cost of Litigation, it is in Excess of 16%. Some sort of National or quasi National Reform which would include Coverage ensuring reasonably unform Health Care for all Americans is not only necessary, but also overdue, way, way, way overdue. Bismark figured this out way back in the 1890's. Every other industrialized Nation and many others in the lower Tier have some System to deal with Health Care for its Population in some Form or another. There are Similarities as well as Differences between the Systems that various Countries use. That is not only understandable but to be expected.
And, as President Obama stated (and conceded, although others did not), one must start from building by drawing on the System that is already in Place.
Looking at the American Precedents already in Place, why not keep everybody's Insurance where it is (which is what was originally envisioned), take all the uninsured under the Threat of a Penalty (as the Legislation does now) and throw them into a Medicare/Medicaid/quasi Medicare/Medicaid Program and then, based upon Verification of Employment or Self Employment, charged them a Premium based on Income/Ability for Coverage. Then take the Insurance Premium which would be actuarially appropriate for that Individual and throw it on an Insurance Company based on a statistical Pool. Insurance Companies which throw Individuals out of their Plans hoping to cash in on the Bonanza, would be discouraged in doing that because all that would happen to those Cases is, the Government would turn around and throw the Policies back at them through this Assigned Risk Pool and charge the Premiums which should prevail; they would be the same or lower as what the Individuals would have had under their previous Plan, since the Insurance Companies would try to change the Insurance Plan only for those who they thought they could get more Money from.
Bottom Line, except for General Rate Revisions (which is not what one should be talking about right now), all Insurance Health Insurance Policies which are already in Place, should not be changed based on „Technicalities” (Change in Provisions, number of Insured Covered and so on). This, however is not what is happening right now and, some say, 14-18 Million Americans could be either left without Health Coverage or be forced to pay significantly higher or exorbitant Rates or, worse, be thrown out of the Insurance Pool altogether. This is the very opposite of what the Law is trying to accomplish.
http://investigations.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/29/21222195-obama-administration-knew-millions-could-not-keep-their-health-insurance?lite
Another Thing that would resolve the Mess (this, based on
Systems used in other Countries); if you are unemployed (with insufficient Assets), then
the Government picks up the Insurance Premium until you are re-employed; if you
are married, then the whole Family is covered under the Premium, even if Wife
(oops! Or Husband)/Children are unemployed/not working and if your
Wife/Child/ren seek/obtain Employment, they do have to pay their Premium and so
do you. Translation: everybody working pays a Premium and
everybody not working has Insurance based on working Family Member(s) or
the Government. Retirees would continue to
get Medicare as they currently do.
Medicare Part B is already based on Ability to pay, since the Cost
incurred by the Government per Beneficiary is $ 400,00 or so. Most pay $ 100,00 or so but, even if on
Medicare and having Part B, if someone has or is making abover certain
Thresholds, they have to pay more, up to the entire $ 400,00 or so. Finally, for Retirees, the Concept that
Medicare Part A is paid 100% by the Government for all, then Medicare Part B is
paid partially by the Government for most and that, regardless, on Top of that,
one needs still additional Insurance in Order to reach a Deductible Level which
they can afford...well...that sounds, no it doesn't sound, it is a Can of Worms
in which Doctors, Hospitals, Clinics and Insurance Companies only see Billions
and Billions of Dollar Signs.
Finally, someone woke up and removed the Cap on the Medicare Tax. That is a good Thing. Currently, however the Medicare Tax Rate is 0,9%. Why the Medicare Tax Rate (which is supposed to cover Medicare Costs on a current Basis...those working today pay for the Health Care of Retirees) does not even come Close to covering what it costs the Government to provide Medical Care to Retirees defies Credulity. Keep in Mind, this is just to draw a Parallel on Priorities, The Fed(eral Reserve Bank), (Mr. Bernanke), is spending $ 82 Billion a Month (a Figure not included in the Federal Deficit), simply for his Quantitative Easement Theory (he would call it a Policy), the only tangible Result of which has been to propel the Stock Market (Dow Jones) to over 15.000 Points.
Montag, 23. September 2013
Armed Guards...Everywhere?
Recently, we wanted to mention something when several People got shot somewhere...where was it? It is easy to begin losing Track. Then, 13 People, including the Killer, got shot and killed at the Washington D. C. Navy Yard.
The Situation in some distant Places is also dire. 60-70 People died over the Weekend at a Shooting in a Mall in Nairobi, Kenya and it is not over yet.
Schoolchildren got killed. Innocent People got shot at in Public Parks or, in some Cases, worse yet, killed, in Chicago and elsewhere. An Arizona Congresswoman got horribly injured and several innocent People around her got killed in a Shooting. People got killed while matching (albeit a violent) Movie in Colorado. Students shot Students in Schools. Some got caught in Time but others didn't and they wound up killing their fellow Students. We could go on and on but it is not necessary, we don't think.
In the Middle of all this this comes Wayne la Pierre; he is the Leader of the National Rifle Association; with a Suggestion: place more Guards, more „Armed Personnel” as he put it under the Scenario, „Arm more good Guys to Keep the bad Guys at Bay (or simply shoot them, we surmise)”
http://presspass.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/09/22/20636650-nras-lapierre-calls-for-more-armed-personnel-after-navy-yard-shooting?lite
Aside from what we think are the obvious Problems with that Line of Thinking, we see another Problem; we are wondering if Mr. la Pierre and others see the Problem too. There used to be a Time when everything, well, almost everything, was easily accessible; Government Offices, Courts, Schools, Hospitals, Airports and more. All this has changed now, of course. What makes it particularly worrysome is not necessarily those who live and work in these armed Fortresses, but those who have been left outside.
Ordinary Citizens. Be it in an Automobile, on the Street, in a Shopping Mall, even in a Home or an Apartment. Clearly, there simply isn't enough Money, either in the United States or elsewhere to have Guards everywhere. The logical Conclusion of such an Argument, ad Absurdum, would be to have almost as many Guards as People who Need to be guarded, Police and quasi Police everywhere.
All Firearms are by Definition deadly. Having a Pistol for Self Defense or a Rifle for Hunting are Rights protected by the Constitution.
However, allowing the Citizenry to posess sophisticated automated or semi automated Weapons which have clearly been designed for Warfare, for Conflicts between States, in the Hands of everyone is simply bringing Warfare into our Cities, Communities, Places of Work, Places of Worship, Places of Entertainment, on Streets and Parks, everywhere.
And while Mr. la Pierre (and others) may think it is a swell Idea for a whole Bunch of „Good Guys” to posess such Kinds of Weapons, meanwhile, countless Individuals who are simply going about their ordinary every Day Business, who do not own such Weapons, who may not want to own them, who may not have the Money to own them, who may be too old or too young to own them, are simply unwitting Targets for an incredible Carnage which is taking place in Front of our very Eyes.
The Situation in some distant Places is also dire. 60-70 People died over the Weekend at a Shooting in a Mall in Nairobi, Kenya and it is not over yet.
Schoolchildren got killed. Innocent People got shot at in Public Parks or, in some Cases, worse yet, killed, in Chicago and elsewhere. An Arizona Congresswoman got horribly injured and several innocent People around her got killed in a Shooting. People got killed while matching (albeit a violent) Movie in Colorado. Students shot Students in Schools. Some got caught in Time but others didn't and they wound up killing their fellow Students. We could go on and on but it is not necessary, we don't think.
In the Middle of all this this comes Wayne la Pierre; he is the Leader of the National Rifle Association; with a Suggestion: place more Guards, more „Armed Personnel” as he put it under the Scenario, „Arm more good Guys to Keep the bad Guys at Bay (or simply shoot them, we surmise)”
http://presspass.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/09/22/20636650-nras-lapierre-calls-for-more-armed-personnel-after-navy-yard-shooting?lite
Aside from what we think are the obvious Problems with that Line of Thinking, we see another Problem; we are wondering if Mr. la Pierre and others see the Problem too. There used to be a Time when everything, well, almost everything, was easily accessible; Government Offices, Courts, Schools, Hospitals, Airports and more. All this has changed now, of course. What makes it particularly worrysome is not necessarily those who live and work in these armed Fortresses, but those who have been left outside.
Ordinary Citizens. Be it in an Automobile, on the Street, in a Shopping Mall, even in a Home or an Apartment. Clearly, there simply isn't enough Money, either in the United States or elsewhere to have Guards everywhere. The logical Conclusion of such an Argument, ad Absurdum, would be to have almost as many Guards as People who Need to be guarded, Police and quasi Police everywhere.
All Firearms are by Definition deadly. Having a Pistol for Self Defense or a Rifle for Hunting are Rights protected by the Constitution.
However, allowing the Citizenry to posess sophisticated automated or semi automated Weapons which have clearly been designed for Warfare, for Conflicts between States, in the Hands of everyone is simply bringing Warfare into our Cities, Communities, Places of Work, Places of Worship, Places of Entertainment, on Streets and Parks, everywhere.
And while Mr. la Pierre (and others) may think it is a swell Idea for a whole Bunch of „Good Guys” to posess such Kinds of Weapons, meanwhile, countless Individuals who are simply going about their ordinary every Day Business, who do not own such Weapons, who may not want to own them, who may not have the Money to own them, who may be too old or too young to own them, are simply unwitting Targets for an incredible Carnage which is taking place in Front of our very Eyes.
Mittwoch, 11. September 2013
Lady Ga Ga...move over! Ma Donna...move over! Miley Cyrus is here!!!
Now that the ridiculous Michael Jackson Estate Lawsuit to recover some illusory Proceeds from a Tour that never took place has been dismissed by a Trial Judge, we can concentrate on something more current...
Forget Ma Donna with her ridiculous Pronouncements and her Burlesque Style Boobie Tassels.
Forget Lady Ga Ga's „Creative” Outfits one of which was made out of Meatloaf, or the one where she tried to outdo Ma Donna by substituting Kalaschnikows instead of Tassels on her Boobies; these, just as Examples (we bet the NRA loved that Photo!)
Yes, Miley Cyrus (Miley who? for those of us who lead a sheltered Life) first managed to attract Attention to her with a Risqué Television Performance at an Award Show and then quickly moved on to a Video called „Wrecking Ball.” Yes, the Video does indeed feature a Wrecking Ball, a plastic one, to be sure; it also features a Sledgehammer (likewise made out of Plastic) which Miley Cyrus lovingly licks and a Plastic Wall, too, of course, but the Masterpiece of it all is Miley Cyrus's Outfit...her Birthday Suit. Total Genius and tossing Ma Donna and Lady Ga Ga into the Bin of „Has Beens,” Silent Movie Stuff, Ancient History, if you will.
You can watch the Video for yourself, here:
But do not count on being one of the First...the Video has already gone „Viral” (we remember the Times when viral was an Adjective, not an Adverb and was used in Connection with Infections Diseases (Epidemics - a Word later revised to Pandemic) and has been seen by 25 Million People and counting.
The Real Question is, what is Rolling Stones Magazine going to do now, when looking for a Cover Shot?
Miley Cyrus
This is Miley Cyrus „sans” Birthday Suit, but dressed up for the Beach. You can see Miley Cyrus's Birthday Suit in the Video Link posted below. We hope Christian Dior, from his Grave, can forgive not only Miley Cyrus, Ma Donna and Lady Ga Ga but also us for inadvertently aiding in their Publicity.
Ma Donna in one of her Strip Tease Outfits, now rendered „Passé” by Miley Cyrus's Creativity
Forget Lady Ga Ga's „Creative” Outfits one of which was made out of Meatloaf, or the one where she tried to outdo Ma Donna by substituting Kalaschnikows instead of Tassels on her Boobies; these, just as Examples (we bet the NRA loved that Photo!)
Lady Ga Ga wearing her Kalaschnikows. The NRA should have loved this Photo.
Yes, Miley Cyrus (Miley who? for those of us who lead a sheltered Life) first managed to attract Attention to her with a Risqué Television Performance at an Award Show and then quickly moved on to a Video called „Wrecking Ball.” Yes, the Video does indeed feature a Wrecking Ball, a plastic one, to be sure; it also features a Sledgehammer (likewise made out of Plastic) which Miley Cyrus lovingly licks and a Plastic Wall, too, of course, but the Masterpiece of it all is Miley Cyrus's Outfit...her Birthday Suit. Total Genius and tossing Ma Donna and Lady Ga Ga into the Bin of „Has Beens,” Silent Movie Stuff, Ancient History, if you will.
You can watch the Video for yourself, here:
The Video features a Wrecking Ball (Plastic), a Sledge Hammer (Plastic), a Wall, of course, (Plastic, of course) and Miley Cyrus modeling a Couple of Outfits, notably her Birthday Suit.
But do not count on being one of the First...the Video has already gone „Viral” (we remember the Times when viral was an Adjective, not an Adverb and was used in Connection with Infections Diseases (Epidemics - a Word later revised to Pandemic) and has been seen by 25 Million People and counting.
The Real Question is, what is Rolling Stones Magazine going to do now, when looking for a Cover Shot?
Sonntag, 8. September 2013
Syria -- a difficult Choice
So, now, Syria has come to the Front Burner. A Friend who wondered what would be the correct Choice on Syria also expressed the Inclination that to strike might be the preferred and logical Alternative.
It is a difficult Choice. However, it does not appear that all of the necessary Variables of the Equation are available in order to make a correct Decision. It might be appropriate to list just what the available Information is, at this Point in Time. It also needs to be emphasized that the Information which is available, classified or not, is subject to re-Evaluation, literally, at a Moment's Notice as more Information becomes available.
Here is what we see so far:
The United Nations
It is clear that an International Intervention against Syria, limited or otherwise, is not possible within the Framework of the United Nations. Russia and China are against a Security Council Resolution authorizing such Action and both have Veto Power.
This makes problematic any Action outside of the Scope of the United Nations, because such Action would be taken precisely because Approval cannot be obtained in the Security Council. Simply put, one cannot easily make the Argument that the United States would go to the United Nations seeking Approval of such Action and, absent such Approval, it would act outside of the Scope of the United Nations or within another Framework or Coalition.
United States Domestic Policy Considerations
President Obama has set a courageous and correct Precedent by going to Congress to ask for Approval of a contemplated Military Strike. We discussed the Implications of the Policy in an earlier Article.
Approval in Congress may be difficult but, it may prevail. Straws in the Wind seem to indicate, however, that there might be some tough Sailing ahead. Senator McCain, an outspoken Hawk in favor of Intervention, confronted some tough Questions at a Couple of „Town Meetings” which he has just held. Polls seem to indicate that the Population as a whole is opposed to Intervention, limited as the President said it would be, by something around 48 to 28%. There is a strange Coalition, composed of Liberal Democrats and Conservative Republicans which oppose Intervention of any Kind, leaving those who are in the „Mainstream” to carry the Weight and Responsibility for giving such Approval to the President.
The Situation in Syria
No one, including the Syrian Government disputes that they posess Chemical Weapons.
Less clear it is who used these Chemical Weapons in the latest Incident in which, according to credible Reports, approximately 1.400 People were killed, many of them, Children. Truly a horrendous Act. Some have suggested that the Rebels may have captured some of these Chemical Weapons and used them deliberately in order to entrap the Assad Government.
The United Nations Inspectors' Report will be available shortly and will become an important Factor if it corroborates the Intelligence Reports obtained by the United States establishing that the Assad Government used these Chemical Weapons against Civilians.
Even if the Rebels are aided as a Result of these contemplated Military Strikes, it is by no means a foregone Conclusion that Rebels associated with al-Qaeda or other Fundamentalist Movements would not inordinately benefit from them. Interesting is the Position taken by a Veteran French Diplomat in an Open Letter to the French Parliament:
31 août 2013
31 August 2013
No to Symbolic Strikes (and for Conscience's Sake). Yes to useful Strikes in Syria.
(Le Monde)
http://syrie.blog.lemonde.fr/2013/08/31/non-aux-frappes-symboliques-et-de-bonne-conscience-oui-aux-frappes-utiles-en-syrie/
(in French)
The Allies
Crucially important are the Allies who would be participating and/or supporting such Strikes.
So far, they are Canada, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and France. After Canada, however, Things get murky when analyzing these Allies. Saudi Arabia, which has Regional Political Considerations, that is one Thing. Turkey which has been an arch-Enemy of Syria and would like nothing more than to have Syria destroyed, is another. France; France has just announced that they will wait for the United Nations Report which seems to be an eminently sensible Thing to do.
Notably not joining in such a Coalition are Countries which normally can be counted upon: Germany, Japan, Italy and, most importantly, the United Kingdom, where Prime Minister Cameron's Motion to join in such a Coalition was voted down by Parliament, putting his Government on a rather shaky Footing.
The Damage in Syria has been done. There may be more Damage done if there are no Strikes. However, the Likelihood appears to be that there will be more Damage done even if there are such Strikes and that Prudence and Patience are the best Choices as the Order of the Day.
It is a difficult Choice. However, it does not appear that all of the necessary Variables of the Equation are available in order to make a correct Decision. It might be appropriate to list just what the available Information is, at this Point in Time. It also needs to be emphasized that the Information which is available, classified or not, is subject to re-Evaluation, literally, at a Moment's Notice as more Information becomes available.
Here is what we see so far:
The United Nations
It is clear that an International Intervention against Syria, limited or otherwise, is not possible within the Framework of the United Nations. Russia and China are against a Security Council Resolution authorizing such Action and both have Veto Power.
This makes problematic any Action outside of the Scope of the United Nations, because such Action would be taken precisely because Approval cannot be obtained in the Security Council. Simply put, one cannot easily make the Argument that the United States would go to the United Nations seeking Approval of such Action and, absent such Approval, it would act outside of the Scope of the United Nations or within another Framework or Coalition.
United States Domestic Policy Considerations
President Obama has set a courageous and correct Precedent by going to Congress to ask for Approval of a contemplated Military Strike. We discussed the Implications of the Policy in an earlier Article.
Approval in Congress may be difficult but, it may prevail. Straws in the Wind seem to indicate, however, that there might be some tough Sailing ahead. Senator McCain, an outspoken Hawk in favor of Intervention, confronted some tough Questions at a Couple of „Town Meetings” which he has just held. Polls seem to indicate that the Population as a whole is opposed to Intervention, limited as the President said it would be, by something around 48 to 28%. There is a strange Coalition, composed of Liberal Democrats and Conservative Republicans which oppose Intervention of any Kind, leaving those who are in the „Mainstream” to carry the Weight and Responsibility for giving such Approval to the President.
The Situation in Syria
No one, including the Syrian Government disputes that they posess Chemical Weapons.
Less clear it is who used these Chemical Weapons in the latest Incident in which, according to credible Reports, approximately 1.400 People were killed, many of them, Children. Truly a horrendous Act. Some have suggested that the Rebels may have captured some of these Chemical Weapons and used them deliberately in order to entrap the Assad Government.
The United Nations Inspectors' Report will be available shortly and will become an important Factor if it corroborates the Intelligence Reports obtained by the United States establishing that the Assad Government used these Chemical Weapons against Civilians.
Even if the Rebels are aided as a Result of these contemplated Military Strikes, it is by no means a foregone Conclusion that Rebels associated with al-Qaeda or other Fundamentalist Movements would not inordinately benefit from them. Interesting is the Position taken by a Veteran French Diplomat in an Open Letter to the French Parliament:
31 août 2013
Non aux frappes symboliques et de bonne conscience. Oui aux frappes utiles en Syrie.
31 August 2013
No to Symbolic Strikes (and for Conscience's Sake). Yes to useful Strikes in Syria.
(Le Monde)
http://syrie.blog.lemonde.fr/2013/08/31/non-aux-frappes-symboliques-et-de-bonne-conscience-oui-aux-frappes-utiles-en-syrie/
(in French)
The Allies
Crucially important are the Allies who would be participating and/or supporting such Strikes.
So far, they are Canada, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and France. After Canada, however, Things get murky when analyzing these Allies. Saudi Arabia, which has Regional Political Considerations, that is one Thing. Turkey which has been an arch-Enemy of Syria and would like nothing more than to have Syria destroyed, is another. France; France has just announced that they will wait for the United Nations Report which seems to be an eminently sensible Thing to do.
Notably not joining in such a Coalition are Countries which normally can be counted upon: Germany, Japan, Italy and, most importantly, the United Kingdom, where Prime Minister Cameron's Motion to join in such a Coalition was voted down by Parliament, putting his Government on a rather shaky Footing.
The Damage in Syria has been done. There may be more Damage done if there are no Strikes. However, the Likelihood appears to be that there will be more Damage done even if there are such Strikes and that Prudence and Patience are the best Choices as the Order of the Day.
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