What Makes for Peace: USA & Cuba

 

Awhile ago I asked the question, “What makes for Peace?” in hopes of getting answers regarding your ideas for how we journey towards and arrive at what we all can consider peace. If injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, then we must begin with this question.

 

We are intelligent people. There is little reason why we can not make a stride towards peace by addressing the obstacles in our path. I want to believe that we all are in support of world peace and global harmony. We know that is not always possible, but when it is we should work towards it. Just because it takes time doesn’t mean it isn’t possible.

 

I would like for us to continue this conversation for peace by considering our (United States) relationship with Cuba with a question that I hope you will share not only your thoughts, but you solutions in your response.

 

How long should we keep up this hatred of Cuba?

 

If we are suppose to be the purveyors of peace, should we at least make an attempt of seeking it?

 

We do not trade with Cuba because it’s a communist country, but nothing is said about our relationship as a borrower or trader with China. Our relationship with Vietnam is vital to the spirit of international harmony, but to hell with Cuba? How do we justify this standard?

 

The ultimate measure of our words is not what we say in moments of comfort and convenience, but what we do in times of challenge and controversy when no one is paying attention.

 

Who is willing to do what makes for peace?

 

More importantly, how much is peace worth to you?

الرئيس أوباما يخاطب العالم الإسلامي من القاهرة A New Beginning

a2a_linkname=”الرئيس أوباما يخاطب العالم الإسلامي من القاهرة | A New Beginning”;a2a_linkurl=”http://timvalentine.wordpress.com/2009/06/05/الرئيس-أوباما-…الم-الإسلامي-م/”;
For those who know me or have followed this blog for awhile it would be fair to assume that I absolutely LOOOOVVVE the context of this speech given by President Barack Obama. This is why I like President Obama despite what those who oppose him and/or publicly & privately want him or his policies to fail think, believe or say. It’s difficult to dispute the principle of truths he’s saying in this speech.

Words along can not meet the needs of the people, action. This is what I’ve been talking about day after day, forgiveness, reconciliation, consideration, tolerance; a new beginning.  We can not become so captive to the pass or to a position or ideology that we can’t preserve a future of peace. We can not continue to be bound by hate, fear and intolerance in any form.

I will hold off for now, because I’m ready to go on this one. If this was delivered in a Pentecostal church I would be the one shouting “PREACH”. This is what I’m talking about. Well I will let you digest this 55 minute speech. Be sure that I have more to say about this soon.

If you can not view this video, please click here.

If you don’t want to miss anything, I invite you to subscribe to this blog.

a2a_linkname=”Thoughts, Ideas & Suggestions”;a2a_linkurl=”http://timvalentine.wordpress.com/feed/”;

Blessed are the Peacemakers

Barack does mean blessed.

Now I got to say this about the many things that I’m learning from watching President Obama operate as President is that I like his tactics, demeanor, intellect, style and substance. I’ve always regarding the peacemaker as the one with the most power, because he/she is liked by the parties at war or disagreement.

I’m sure those who want President Obama to fail are simply beside themselves as this bit of news broke during the G-20 Summit in London last week.

In typical peacemaker fashion President Obama personally intervened to help achieve consensus between the dispute between France President (President Nicolas Sarkozy) and China’s President (President Hu Jintao).

Obama proposed that the G-20 merely “take note” of the OECD list, thus opening the door to implicit but not direct endorsement of that list. So President Obama sent a message to the Chinese and then met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Sarkozy in a corner of the summit meeting room, as the other world leaders waited.

Upon the trio’s reaching agreement, the G-20 summit then agreed to note the list of tax havens. President Sarkozy, who’d threatened days earlier to walk out of the summit if he didn’t get his way, said the final agreement represented “great progress.”

So I guess peace and diplomacy defeated conflict and dictatorship once again.

This leads me to ask a few questions of those who continue to hate on the President and the group of people who want President Obama to fail. What was that about not being up to the Commander-In-Chief test, he pals around with terrorist, he’s unfit to be President, He’s a socialist, He’s a fascist, He’s not ready?

(I can’t believe I’m about to use this quote) To quote the great urban philosopher Kool Moe Dee, “How Ya Like Me Now”.

I’m sorry I couldn’t resist it. Yes, I know humility. Forgive me. J

References & Inspirations

The Holy Bible (NIV) – “Matthew 5:9”

BabyNames.com – “Definition of Barack”

The Miami Herald – 04/02/09 “Obama Brokers Crucial Compromise with China & France”

*Now when you look at the banner you see the humor in it*

Stuff Happens?

For those who have followed this blog for any measurable length of time can conclude that I have a strong aversion to Dick Cheney to phrase it in a polite manner. On many occasions when referencing this Dick – Cheney I have worked very hard to tone my outrage down a few levels. I honestly strive to give people the benefit of my doubts and consider their point-of-view or the context for which they are speaking. This one may seem a bit partisan to some, but to reference the original name of this blog ‘someone has to say it’.

During an interview with CNN’s John King recently this Dick – Cheney said this in his response to President Obama’s policy agenda.

“Stuff happens. And the administration has to be able to respond to that, and we did.“

“Mr. Obama is making some choices, that, in my mind, will, in fact raise the risk to the American people of another attack.” – FORMER VICE PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY

What the Hell? Stuff Happens. Stuff does happen and you and your friends left your sh– stuff for someone else to clean up.

I really am trying not to curse or suggest any ill to Mr. Cheney, but I just can’t see how his bad heart continues to function when it’s so cold.

So Dick, you don’t like the fact that the President is keeping his campaign promise of closing Guantanamo Bay, ensuring that the U.S. follows the Geneva Convention, CIA Officers abide by the Army Field Manual’s rules on interrogations and promoting democracy by being diplomatic?

Well, you know what Dick. I Guess That’s Just Too Bad Isn’t It. Why don’t you take your lumps of coal, pitch fork and walk your delusional, narrow-minded, hateful ass on back to the dark side from which you came. The only benefit you bring to the conversation is to remind everyone why we’re in the mess we’re in. I guess I should thank you for raising the approval ratings of Democrats each time you speak.

“The best possible outcome for Americans is to ignore the former vice president’s advice… I guess Rush Limbaugh was busy so they trotted out the next most popular member of the Republican cabal.” – PRESS SECRETARY ROBERT GIBBS

Well this is why I’m not the Press Secretary, because I would address Dick Cheney with a very clear response of what I thought of him for the record.

Mr. Cheney, I swear I hope you and others pay for what you’ve done to so many with your soul.

I apologize for not being close to professional on this one and letting this fool annoy me, but I simply can’t stand this dude. Please feel free to chime in with your thoughts, ideas and suggestions for Dick Cheney and his latest contribution to society. And if there are any conservatives who agree with Dick Cheney fell free to chime in too. I may disagree with you, but I’m not going to verbally beat you up over it. I just want to hear the rational for anything Dick Cheney says.

References & Inspirations

CNN – 03/16/09 “Cheney: Obama Policies Raise Risk of Terror Attack”

Detroit Free Press – 03/17/09 “Dick Cheney, Please Go Away”

New York Times – 03/16/09 “Gibbs Responds to Cheney’s Remarks”

Washington Post – 03/16/09 “Cheney to U.S.: Stuff Happens“

President Obama’s Address to the Joint Session of Congress

Pres. Obama Address to Congress

Republican Response: What speech did Gov. Jindah watch?

The Old Man That Cried Wolf

I am no fan of the Former Vice-President Dick Cheney, but I wish this dude would just shut-up and stop trying to keep scaring with your tired and wrong analysis. I think Keith Olbermann frames my frustration best with Dick Cheney.

I apologize to anyone who may get upset with my comments, but you have to forgive me. Mr. Dick Cheney I ask you to PLEASE JUST SHUT THE HELL UP AND GO BACK TO YOUR DUNGEON. I SWEAR I wish you would just GO AWAY. PLEASE!

References & Inspirations:

Politico – 02/04/09 “Cheney Warns of New Attacks”

Ahmadinejad

At the first Presidential debate we saw this exchange between McCain & Obama regarding Iran and the statements of McCain adviser Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

Since John McCain has known Henry Kissinger for 35 years and Henry Kissinger himself has changed his previous report to backup John McCain’s assertions why did Dr. Kissinger say this to the Washington Post Monday, July 31, 2008 on Page A-15? (Link)

Also I wanted to be fair and wanted to see what the non-partisan group FactCheck.org had to say in their investigation on this subject.

Fact Checking Debate No. 1:
“Obama said McCain adviser Henry Kissinger backs talks with Iran “without preconditions,” but McCain disputed that. In fact, Kissinger did recently call for “high level” talks with Iran starting at the secretary of state level and said, “I do not believe that we can make conditions.” After the debate the McCain campaign issued a statement quoting Kissinger as saying he didn’t favor presidential talks with Iran.”

I already know the answer I’m going to get. Whenever anyone disagrees with McCain or the Republican establishment they’re accused of being “in the tank” of the Obama Campaign. So what about FOX News? Obviously they’re in the tank of the GOP.

You see I’m fair enough to admit when my candidate is wrong or even skewed the facts, why can’t McCain supporters do the same instead of spouting off ridiculous and often incorrect assertions. Whatever, it’s all a game. We’re in the forth quarter anyway and we’re up by one touchdown now. Let’s see how well the defense holds while the star quarterback steps up his game on the next drive. We’re going to see the backup Quarterback (Joe Biden) put some big numbers on the board come Thursday.

Are you ready for some football? Go Titans! (Hold up, I’m sorry I got caught up there for a moment.)

Reference:
Washington Post – 07/31/08 “The Next Steps With Iran”
Miami Herald – 09/27/08 “McCain misstates some facts in debate on foreign policy”