Paul Rand (KY) – No to Troops in Iraq – the Right Direction

Taking the higher road, Rand Paul, Senator from Kentucky and potential 2016 Presidential Candidate, suggested it would be a mistake for the US to send troops, once again, into Iraq. US News carried the report this morning (available here) on Paul’s statement.

Paul is correct in this opinion as timing is everything and the reduction in forces to a bare minimum in Iraq with instability a key in the region, was, to say the least, naive. The problem began with the initial incursion that may have set the stage for a later coup in Iran, but failed with time and changes in U.S. administrations. With the lack of foresight on the part of the Bush administration, or contingent plans in the event of a drawn out process both politically and in theater – the most beneficial move would have been to strike and leave once proof or no of WMD’s was ascertained.

The problems of the Middle East, oil notwithstanding, would have made George Washington suggest a 300 year moratorium on any type of intervention on the part of the U.S. With an abundance of well-intentioned mistakes of eons, including members of both of today’s political parties, it would behoove the next administration to take a more Washingtonian stance.

In summary – George W. Bush started the problem, Barack Obama has compounded the problem, and Paul’s stance regarding deployment or no is given not without some thought, be it “popular” or not –a refreshing change of pace.

Reflections on Rwanda and the Desire to Prevent further Atrocities

The genocide in Rwanda - image from nigertiaintel.com

Rwanda, the horrors of the genocide that took place two decades ago, is now at the forefront of the UN – an organization that barely mentioned the slaughter of three-quarters of a million people. (Time Magazine) The fact that so few of those outside of the media are only peripherally aware of this event, is a testament to the ages of mans lack of knowledge or avoidance of such, when horrific events spurred on by power, greed, and corruption take place. It was in correspondence with a friend that this subject came up, and understanding a lack of understanding was saddening. Those that look to cast blame, for example blaming the Catholic Church for its failure at the time (the Guardian), are seeking any and all who may have intervened, or even, in cases had employees or members who were complicit as they were in the country. When incomprehensible acts take place, there is a need to explain it away, by placing blame, rather than looking at the roots of all evil.

Suggesting that there are roots of evil, greed, power, corruption, lack of oil (the excuse as to why the U.S. did not intervene), apathy, lack of knowledge, and an aversion to looking at hard facts, is, unfortunately a constant in our world.



Armenian Genocide - Iraq - from helian.net

When Hitler murdered the Jews in the Holocaust, it was not so much that other governments were not aware, it was a similar situation, wars, internal, regardless of the type, are to be avoided. They simply make politicians look bad, or there is no taste for conflict in a nation’s people. It is man’s inhumanity to man, a trite phrase that is mostly true that allows such events to unfold and take place. Inhumanity, either through direct involvement or a lack of involvement, is the root cause, not a single organization or a single country is to blame – all are to blame.

In life’s lessons, God would suggest following a simple dictate (commandment) that would solve all problems, and lead to world peace – “love thy neighbor as thyself”. Perhaps loving one’s neighbor and thereby stopping horrific crimes against innocents is improbable given the nature of the beast, but not impossible given a root in faith, which, is sadly lacking in so many.

Nancy Pelosi’s Trip to Iraq in January -

Made headlines when she left but little has been seen or heard of her findings. One would think Madam Speaker would have come back and given a full report regarding the state of Iraq - considering her vehement anti-war stance. This fact-finding mission would appear to have been the perfect opportunity to state the facts the way she sees them. What readers were given was great news regarding a bird loose in the speaker’s home. Could it be that Pelosi was stunned into silence by the Raven? Or is it that the size of her ride home to Wine Country is a tad more important than her findings in Iraq?

Given the fact that Ms. Pelosi is two heartbeats away from the Presidency of these United States (and a woman), this is the perfect time for her to step up to the plate and make history. Although many may argue that she has already made history by being the first woman to attain such a lofty Post, there is much work to be done for women’s rights, and as Nancy is center stage, she could change a good percentage of the country’s perceptions regarding women in power.

Going back to all the hoopla regarding women’s rights, specifically as outlined in college courses, women are told we have invested heavily in this country, that we have come a long way but, and here’s the but, we are still earning 75 cents on the dollar to our male counterparts and here comes the kicker: it’s all our fault.

Why? Because we are a backbiting bunch, self-invested and willing to do anything to get a leg up. This from a socialist professor of history. Bunk. (For the most part)

A certain percentage of men feel that women react rather than act in any given set of circumstances, that it is our gender that renders us incapable of leadership. (Bunk again)

Nancy now has the position and the power to make known that the above two statements are not accurate and the ability to change perceptions.

Changing perceptions are important for all women, but at this point most importantly for Hillary Clinton

In a recent non-scientific poll of office peers and friends (leaning both left-right-and left of Mars), One vote for Giuliani, due to the heritage factor (voting for another of Italian decent). When asked if women should vote for Hillary based on the fact that she is a woman, the resounding answer was no. (Guilianni Scored High)

Hillary is in dire need of an image change and Nancy can help her - but only if she takes the high road.


Hillary and "power hungry" are often heard in the same sentence along with the following statement: “The country is not ready for a woman president”. What is most disturbing is that the second statement comes from both genders.

If Hillary would step up and say: I did not stay married to Bill to gain power, but rather to torture him for the rest of his life and rub his nose in it! She’d win the hearts and minds of the biggest voting block. (women!) Never mind where she stands on the issues. To aid in her increased credibility Nancy could report on her findings in Iraq, in a bi-partisan, non-gender way - be those findings party line, or God forbid, in line with what the Bush administration has been saying all along.

These two are in a position to make history, or to stop it in its tracks. Hopefully they remember that they have sisters.