On November 4th, 1995, Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a lone gunman in Tel Aviv. As we mourned, and as President Clinton said "Shalom Haver" ("Goodbye, Friend"), I was struck with the idea that it was nothing less than fear that drove Yigal Amir to perform this horrible deed.
There was (and still is) a fear amongst a segment of the Israeli population that the world, especially the Arabs, want to take something significant away. Whether it is rational or not, we cannot deny the existence of this fear.
Near the time of the assassination, I was reflecting on this, and I wrote a long letter to an Israeli newspaper, and shipped it via Telex (this was pre-email days). I don't know if it got received or published, and I don't have a copy, but I remember a bit what I said.
Fear, I said, is one of the basic emotion that exists in humans. It preceeds mistrust and hate. Mistrust and hate preceed much of our violence.
We have seen this work at all levels of interaction - whether it is animal to animal, person to person, group to group, nationality to nationality, religious group to religious group, person to country, or country to country.
It is easy to see these days where fear exists: Many of the Israelis fear the Arabs and Persians, many of the Arabs (and Persians) fear the Israelis and the West. One side feels that the other side wishes to take away its wealth or pride or freedom or even existence.
Even domestically, there are fears by one ethnic group for another, by one race for another.
The fears are perpetuated from generation to generation. This is often done by a demagogue in a group. Also by our "teachers" - be it religious leaders, educators or politicians.
At the Million Man March, which was near the time of Rabin's assassination, I walked around the National Mall with a sign of protest. I stated that we should not be influenced by messages of fear, as I felt that Mr. Farrakhan was giving us just that. I caught some flak from the attendees, but I think many of the people there understood.
So let's take Israel and Palestine. There are many examples in the world, but this one is closer to my heart.
The Israeli people have recent history to help generate fear. Not just the Holocaust, but the current fear that Arabs do not want them in the land they currently reside in. They point to evidence such as the anti-Israel education in Arab schools.
The Arabs see Israelis as a powerful force (thanks to the US) that wishes to take away Arab land and pride.
The fear has given rise to leaders who perpetuate it.
The media promotes these leaders.
Looking from the outside on this, I see a way out, but it is going to have to start with one basic premise:
The fear must be eliminated - as much as possible.
This is as much grass-roots as top-down. For example, I attended the Unity Walk 2 Sundays ago. This was a gathering of all religions and cultures to find bonds and our commonalities. This was, for me, all about removing fear. Juan Williams got raked over the coals for confessing to his fears of other cultures (NPR took this way too far in my opinion), but in this Unity Walk setting, I could admit to my own fears and realize that the people there had more warmth, more trust, more in common with me than I ever thought, and I was able to form bonds, not walls.
We had leaders of each of the 3 major religious communities speak. These people were great speakers.
However, they spoke to our choir, and I do not hear their voices heard outside this safe gathering nearly enough.
Try to imagine what things would be like if we could expand our sense of community. Instead of placing all your trust in the closest family, friends and neighbors, imagine what the world would be like if we saw that many of our own fears were irrational. Our neighbors might be of a different culture but still possess the basic human elements of compassion.
I, a Jew, am trying to see this in those I am told are my "enemies", such as the Arabs of Palestine.
In reading Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish's incredible book "I Shall Not Hate", I see the expressions of compassions from a man I am initially supposed to hate. I am supposed to mistrust and hate him because he expresses the desire for a state for Palestine (which for many imply the elimination of the Jewish state). But I see in his book words that reach out with compassion. Not only that, but Izzeldin says that many of his countrymen agree with him, so I should try to replace my mistrust with trust.
And Izzeldin also says that most Israelis, whom he used to see on a daily basis at the hospital he worked at (as a Fertility Doctor) are perfectly capable of forming bonds of trust - once they know that the people facing them are not out to take things away. He says that if Palestinians and Israelis could only find their commonalities by simply having the simple positive interactions, we could go a long way in solving this conflict.
How can we build on this? How can we bring these 2 groups with a long, strong history of conflict together?
What I see as a partial solution is to tell others about Izzeldin's book and have them read it. At least that's a start. It might influence a few minds and hearts. We'll see.
I am also in touch with Dr. Abuelaish and hope to meet him soon, so that we can cement the bond we have recently formed, and come up with ideas as to how to influence others towards reducing our fears and increasing trust and respect.
Thanks for reading.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Israel and The Arab Spring
A thought came to me today while I was reading Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish's book, "I Shall Not Hate", and having just read the newspaper about Syria and the growing tensions between Israel and Egypt (due to an accidental killing of Egyptians during an Israeli reprisal raid against Palestinian terrorist attacks):
The argument of some in Israel and the US is that we should fear the "Arab Spring", because it may let loose the "anti-Israel & anti-West" side of the Muslim Arabs and put them in power or influence.
I'm seeing this from another angle or perspective:
Basically it is this: If the dispute between Palestinians and Israelis was today fully settled, there would be absolutely nothing to fear in the Arab Spring.
This statement doesn't blame one side over another (in the failure to resolve the dispute). I've heard both sides of the argument and the only thing I blame is intransigence.
From reading Dr. Abuelaish and from what I see in the polls in Israel and Palestine, I believe that the people are ready to settle.
If the 2 sides had settled by now, we'd all be welcoming the Arab Spring in open arms, wouldn't we? We'd have states in the Mideast closer to the Israeli and democratic Arab model than we have today. Isn't this what we want, especially if neither side regards the other as a threat?
If you do fear the Arab Spring, what is your response? (If you believe I am naive, read my very first post.)
I'll have a review of Dr. Abuelaish's book in a future post.
Thanks for reading.
The argument of some in Israel and the US is that we should fear the "Arab Spring", because it may let loose the "anti-Israel & anti-West" side of the Muslim Arabs and put them in power or influence.
I'm seeing this from another angle or perspective:
Basically it is this: If the dispute between Palestinians and Israelis was today fully settled, there would be absolutely nothing to fear in the Arab Spring.
This statement doesn't blame one side over another (in the failure to resolve the dispute). I've heard both sides of the argument and the only thing I blame is intransigence.
From reading Dr. Abuelaish and from what I see in the polls in Israel and Palestine, I believe that the people are ready to settle.
If the 2 sides had settled by now, we'd all be welcoming the Arab Spring in open arms, wouldn't we? We'd have states in the Mideast closer to the Israeli and democratic Arab model than we have today. Isn't this what we want, especially if neither side regards the other as a threat?
If you do fear the Arab Spring, what is your response? (If you believe I am naive, read my very first post.)
I'll have a review of Dr. Abuelaish's book in a future post.
Thanks for reading.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Somebody Else's Troubles
I heard of replay of an old Steve Goodman song from the 1970's - "Somebody Else's Troubles". I decided to re-print the lyrics with one change on the third verse making it more appopros for today. In case you haven't heard of him, Steve wrote "City Of New Orleans" and was considered by many to be one of the best solo performers of his time. He was a high-school classmate of Hillary Rodham. Died of leukemia in 1984. This song makes a terriffic statement
Yesterday I went downtown and saw an old-time picture show
And the hero got a pie in the face.
He didn't like that and he stormed around the screen,
But everybody else was laughin' in that place.
That's cause it ain't hard to get along with somebody else's troubles
And they don't make you lose any sleep at night
As long as fate is out there burstin' somebody else's bubbles.
Everything is gonna be alright.
And everything is gonna be alright.
Did you ever pay for something that you didn't do ?
And did you ever figure out the reason why ?
And when the doctor says this gonna hurt me a lot more than this hurts you,
Did you ever figure out that that's a lie ?
He knows it ain't too hard to get along with somebody else's troubles
And they don't make you lose any sleep at night
As long as fate is out there burstin'somebody' else's bubbles.
Everything is gonna be alright.
And everything will be alright.
And I saw the politician, follow his party line,
He said, "We all have to tighten up our belts."
But he didn't look any thinner than he did a year ago
And I wonder just how hungry that man felt.
He knows it ain't too hard to get along with somebody else's troubles,
They don't make you lose any sleep at night.
Just as long as fate is out there burstin'somebody' else's bubbles.
Everything is gonna be alright.
And everything is gonna be alright.
So I asked the undertaker what it took to make him laugh
When all he ever saw is people cryin'.
First he hands me a bunch of flowers that he'd received on my behalf
He said, "Steve, business just gets better all the time."
And it ain't too hard it to get along with somebody else's troubles,
They don't make you lose any sleep at night.
As long as fate is out there burstin' somebody else's bubbles
Everything is gonna be alright.
And everything is gonna alright.
Yesterday I went downtown and saw an old-time picture show
And the hero got a pie in the face.
He didn't like that and he stormed around the screen,
But everybody else was laughin' in that place.
That's cause it ain't hard to get along with somebody else's troubles
And they don't make you lose any sleep at night
As long as fate is out there burstin' somebody else's bubbles.
Everything is gonna be alright.
And everything is gonna be alright.
Did you ever pay for something that you didn't do ?
And did you ever figure out the reason why ?
And when the doctor says this gonna hurt me a lot more than this hurts you,
Did you ever figure out that that's a lie ?
He knows it ain't too hard to get along with somebody else's troubles
And they don't make you lose any sleep at night
As long as fate is out there burstin'somebody' else's bubbles.
Everything is gonna be alright.
And everything will be alright.
And I saw the politician, follow his party line,
He said, "We all have to tighten up our belts."
But he didn't look any thinner than he did a year ago
And I wonder just how hungry that man felt.
He knows it ain't too hard to get along with somebody else's troubles,
They don't make you lose any sleep at night.
Just as long as fate is out there burstin'somebody' else's bubbles.
Everything is gonna be alright.
And everything is gonna be alright.
So I asked the undertaker what it took to make him laugh
When all he ever saw is people cryin'.
First he hands me a bunch of flowers that he'd received on my behalf
He said, "Steve, business just gets better all the time."
And it ain't too hard it to get along with somebody else's troubles,
They don't make you lose any sleep at night.
As long as fate is out there burstin' somebody else's bubbles
Everything is gonna be alright.
And everything is gonna alright.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
After The Latest Deluge - time for a new Party
The major storm has passed, and we're picking up the pieces.
Congress passed the debt ceiling increase, contingent on many budget cuts. Both Republicans and Democrats are spinning their respective positions, and it's time for vacations.
It is yet to be seen whether or not I will have a job past November, when the DOD contract I am on runs out. I'm reasonably confident I'll either be refunded or find something else. But I am concerned about many Americans who have been made more vulnerable in the past few months.
Unemployment is very high. Layoffs have been slowing down (except for companies like Merck, who laid off 15,000), but the jobs have not been coming back. I do not see any slowing of foreclosure rates.
Yet the safety nets are being torn by those who believe we cannot afford them. As I've stated in an earlier post - what we do with our "pie" of money is totally our choice. Pure capitalism - everyone fending for themselves with little government intervention - is one of the choices. Whatever is chosen, some people gain and some people lose.
The reason some people lose is not necessarily because they don't try or know how to win. Think of a child brought up in a community of lower-income people and who gets a substandard education. Should we blame this child for being behind when he/she reaches adulthood? Let's consider our values about this.
So how do we create our pie, and how do we divide it up? I don't have the exact answer, but I definitely would like to see as large a pie as possible divided in an "equitable" (not "evenly") way. Here's where tough choices come in since you don't want to shrink the pie or cause the worst-off to have the smaller slices.
The budget deal (along with other policy decisions in the past year) is a "tradeoff" that will, unfortunately, impact those who can least afford it the most. What will be hit? Schools, housing, and the safety nets. What won't be hit? taxes on those who have high-paying jobs or investments.
It's clear how the tradeoff works in this case. And believe me, we really did have choices.
So we got worried about our debt. We focused less on unemployment. Funny, because interest rates did not go up. In fact, I'll be refinancing this week at almost an all-time low. The housing market doesn't suck because of government debt. It sucks because there was a bubble that burst (for reasons pointed out very well in the movie "Inside Job").
This Congress had choices. The Republicans had choices. The Democrats had choices. The President had choices.
I have come to the conclusion that it is time for another political party to take shape. It needs to be focused on the "center", acknowledging that everyone has responsibilities towards both themselves and others. I'm only beginning to think about who would lead this, but the name Colin Powell comes to mind. (Others are people like Bob Kerrey and Warren Rudman). Whoever it is must be on the bully pulpit at all times, clearly showing us direction.
On another subject: Congress wants a debt-elimination commission. Who to head it better than Bill Clinton? (sorry, Clinton haters, he IS the best man for the job)
More to come. Thanks for reading.
Congress passed the debt ceiling increase, contingent on many budget cuts. Both Republicans and Democrats are spinning their respective positions, and it's time for vacations.
It is yet to be seen whether or not I will have a job past November, when the DOD contract I am on runs out. I'm reasonably confident I'll either be refunded or find something else. But I am concerned about many Americans who have been made more vulnerable in the past few months.
Unemployment is very high. Layoffs have been slowing down (except for companies like Merck, who laid off 15,000), but the jobs have not been coming back. I do not see any slowing of foreclosure rates.
Yet the safety nets are being torn by those who believe we cannot afford them. As I've stated in an earlier post - what we do with our "pie" of money is totally our choice. Pure capitalism - everyone fending for themselves with little government intervention - is one of the choices. Whatever is chosen, some people gain and some people lose.
The reason some people lose is not necessarily because they don't try or know how to win. Think of a child brought up in a community of lower-income people and who gets a substandard education. Should we blame this child for being behind when he/she reaches adulthood? Let's consider our values about this.
So how do we create our pie, and how do we divide it up? I don't have the exact answer, but I definitely would like to see as large a pie as possible divided in an "equitable" (not "evenly") way. Here's where tough choices come in since you don't want to shrink the pie or cause the worst-off to have the smaller slices.
The budget deal (along with other policy decisions in the past year) is a "tradeoff" that will, unfortunately, impact those who can least afford it the most. What will be hit? Schools, housing, and the safety nets. What won't be hit? taxes on those who have high-paying jobs or investments.
It's clear how the tradeoff works in this case. And believe me, we really did have choices.
So we got worried about our debt. We focused less on unemployment. Funny, because interest rates did not go up. In fact, I'll be refinancing this week at almost an all-time low. The housing market doesn't suck because of government debt. It sucks because there was a bubble that burst (for reasons pointed out very well in the movie "Inside Job").
This Congress had choices. The Republicans had choices. The Democrats had choices. The President had choices.
I have come to the conclusion that it is time for another political party to take shape. It needs to be focused on the "center", acknowledging that everyone has responsibilities towards both themselves and others. I'm only beginning to think about who would lead this, but the name Colin Powell comes to mind. (Others are people like Bob Kerrey and Warren Rudman). Whoever it is must be on the bully pulpit at all times, clearly showing us direction.
On another subject: Congress wants a debt-elimination commission. Who to head it better than Bill Clinton? (sorry, Clinton haters, he IS the best man for the job)
More to come. Thanks for reading.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Intransigence
If you care about Israel or Palestine, here is some must-see TV.
The link below is to a a video that features a debate-discussion between Palestinian diplomat Saib Ariqat and an Israeli TV reporter:
It tells, perhaps, the whole story about what is going so wrong over in this region.
To me, it boils down to one word:
intransigence.
By both sides.
Both sides repeat their very emotional arguments. Although they are civil, you can feel the enormous tension. (You can assume that many of the arguments made by the Israeli journalist represent the government's position.)
The Palestinians need to hear the words "67 borders with land swaps", and "stopping settlements" - otherwise there is no trust. The Israelis have to hear "Jewish state", or there is no trust.
I firmly believe that the people of both countries would be willing to trade intransigence for peace. Just ask them..well, they've already been asked and they said so (see my earlier post).
Yes, Israelis would like to see the status quo changed. If we say to them "You can increase your prosperity, as from now on you would have to pay less taxes (less defense spending) and thus have even more economic freedom and security", wouldn't they take it?
Yes, Palestinians want out of their poverty and political isolation. If we say to them "You can have a free country that is world-accepted and your children can have a better future", wouldn't they take it?
So what is everyone waiting for?
The Answer: The leaders - who think only from their narrow nationalistic perspective.
The Answer: The leaders - who think only from their narrow nationalistic perspective.
With that comes the problem of the allowance of mainstream media to showcase the extreme viewpoints without adequate rebuttal time for the moderates (see my NY Times letter of September 2006). We see the flotillas and riots, not the people working behind the scenes for reconciliation. For every segment that displays the negative, why not interview someone like Dr. Abuelaish?
President Obama, unlike his predecessor, is, from day one, attempting to get each side to moderate their views. For this he is being told that he is not a "friend".
President Obama, unlike his predecessor, is, from day one, attempting to get each side to moderate their views. For this he is being told that he is not a "friend".
"J Street" and "Peace Now" does some good, but we need a unified, grass-roots multi-national, multi-religious movement that can overcome purely nationalistic ones. If someone can point me to them, please reply to this post.
Thanks for reading.
P.S. My senator, Ben Cardin, wants Congress to state that they oppose the move by the Palestinians at the UN in September. I also believe that the Palestinian Government is making a mistake (it will only increase the intransigence) but if Cardin adds to the bill a call for a stop of Israeli settlements, a call for full (yes, repeated) Palestinian recognition of a Jewish state, and an agreement based on 1967-with-land-swaps, I would gladly support it. In its present form it is one-sided and does nothing for peace (which I assume Cardin really wants). I want everything to be win-win. (BTW: J Street supports the UN move - I differ with J Street)
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Flight Over the Debt Ceiling
A public-service announcement:
Scene 1: A view of a large airplane - United States Airlines.
The plane has over 300 million scared passengers.
There are 536 pilots. About half dressed in blue, half in red.
Pilot In Chief Barack Obama - We're running out of fuel, folks. This plane will crash soon. We have to do something now.Rep. Eric Cantor - We can survive only by changing our gas to Red Gas.
Senator Harry Reid - Red Gas is what we used from 2001-2008 and we almost crashed. No, we need Blue Gas.Republicans in unison - Red Gas!
Democrats in Unison - Blue Gas
Shot of odometer showing fuel declining closer to empty.Passenger 1: C'mon, pilots, this is no way to fly a plane. Can't you all decide on some compromise?
Passenger 2 (an uncanny resemblance to AlanRockville): But we don't really need a compromise, we can just land and then decide which fuel to put in.
Cantor: Absolutely not! We do not land until we put the Red fuel in! That goes first!
Shot of odometer showing fuel declining closer to empty.Reid: OK, I'll take 20 percent Blue, the rest Red.
Cantor: No way! This plane cannot run on any Blue fuel. Red fuel only!
Cantor walks over to Rep. John Boehner, who is dressed in a Santa Claus suit with a button "Prizes for over 200K only!". Rep. Paul Ryan comes over, made into a Scrooge lookalike, holding the Republican proposal.
Boehner: I've got it all together. I'll be Santa Claus once more.
Suddenly, Rep. Nancy Pelosi walks over, and starts speaking a Chico Marx accent.
In the meantime, former Senators Byrd and Thurmond are having a discussion in Coach:
Engine starts to sputter, panic begins.
Passenger 3: Help, we're gonna die.Republican Voice: What do we do?
Boehner: Don't worry, I brought our golden parachutes.
Reid: I want one.
Boehner whispers into Reid's ear.
Plane starts spinning out of control. Passengers assume crash positions and pray.
Back to the cockpit.
Obama: This is an executive order. I order 10 Gallons of Blue gas and 5 of Red Gas to be placed on this plane immediately!
Just then Justices Roberts, Alito, Scalia, and Thomas appear with Donald Trump.
Scalia: Sorry, Mr. President, you do not have authority to do this. Got five votes right here.
Obama: But this is National Security!
Thomas: The passengers want a government that does not allow the President to control their lives. Accordingly, they have chosen a special representative pilot to take over from here on.
Obama: Who's that?
Frank proceeds to start to blow up the autopilot, suddenly Michele Bachman walks in, sees what is going on, and makes a sour face.
She begins to walk away, but stops and turns around, says after a pause:
Nieslon exits.
Fade: Back to the present
By the way, here is Boehner's AARP article - I wasn't making this up.
To see the original Otto, here's the clip (with Hebrew subtitles, too). Now I can hear the sound effect when Otto is satisfied.
(By popular demand, updated version, known as "The Director's Cut")
Scene 1: A view of a large airplane - United States Airlines.
The plane has over 300 million scared passengers.
There are 536 pilots. About half dressed in blue, half in red.
Pilot In Chief Barack Obama - We're running out of fuel, folks. This plane will crash soon. We have to do something now.Rep. Eric Cantor - We can survive only by changing our gas to Red Gas.
Senator Harry Reid - Red Gas is what we used from 2001-2008 and we almost crashed. No, we need Blue Gas.Republicans in unison - Red Gas!
Democrats in Unison - Blue Gas
Shot of odometer showing fuel declining closer to empty.Passenger 1: C'mon, pilots, this is no way to fly a plane. Can't you all decide on some compromise?
Passenger 2 (an uncanny resemblance to AlanRockville): But we don't really need a compromise, we can just land and then decide which fuel to put in.
Cantor: Absolutely not! We do not land until we put the Red fuel in! That goes first!
Shot of odometer showing fuel declining closer to empty.Reid: OK, I'll take 20 percent Blue, the rest Red.
Cantor: No way! This plane cannot run on any Blue fuel. Red fuel only!
Cantor walks over to Rep. John Boehner, who is dressed in a Santa Claus suit with a button "Prizes for over 200K only!". Rep. Paul Ryan comes over, made into a Scrooge lookalike, holding the Republican proposal.
Boehner: I've got it all together. I'll be Santa Claus once more.
Suddenly, Rep. Nancy Pelosi walks over, and starts speaking a Chico Marx accent.
Pelosi: C'mon Boehner, you know your proposal ain't got a Sanity Clause.
In the meantime, former Senators Byrd and Thurmond are having a discussion in Coach:
Thurmond: Sheeet, Byrdie. Obama ain’t gonna be layin’ no rap on yo, mo.
Byrd: Double-negativity Stromie, ain’t talkin’ correct man.
Senator John McCain, walking down the aisle, overhears and approaches
McCain: Excuse me, excuse me, I heard that. Don’t both of you know that Jive is passé? (Hip-hop beat starts playing in background)
McCain (dancing to the beat):
Oh-bama, Boeh-ner trashin’ talk
they don’t ever do the walk
(beat continues and McCain continues his rap as camera fades)
Engine starts to sputter, panic begins.
Passenger 3: Help, we're gonna die.Republican Voice: What do we do?
Boehner: Don't worry, I brought our golden parachutes.
Reid: I want one.
Boehner whispers into Reid's ear.
Reid smiles, whispers back "Sure thing".
Both smile.
Passenger 2: I overheard that. No way, if this plane goes, they go first, just like the Titanic. The less fortunate get the parachutes.
Passenger 2 is ignored.
Former Senator Larry Craig approaches the bathroom, where former Rep. Anthony Weiner is waiting looking at pictures.
Passenger 2 is ignored.
Former Senator Larry Craig approaches the bathroom, where former Rep. Anthony Weiner is waiting looking at pictures.
Craig (tapping and rubbing Weiner twice softly on the tush): Hey Tony, what’s up?
Weiner looks down below his belt buckle, turns back to Craig.
Weiner (smiling): Wanna see?
Weiner (smiling): Wanna see?
Obama: Any progress? We're running out of time.
Boehner: No unlimited frequent fliers for you.
Obama: I don't want frequent fliers. I just want to save this plane. Look, saving the plane doesn't mean we'll be using Blue Gas or Red gas in the future. We're just keeping THIS plane intact.
In the back of the plane, Congresswoman Michele Bachman is taping a commercial:
Bachman: I will never allow any gas to be placed on this plane. This plane has used way too much gas. The people of this country want to take it back from the pirates who currently fly it.
(Music of the "Batman" TV show theme song is crescendoing in background)
Bachman:Better it should crash. I have my parachute and I'm gonna use it.
Voice Chorus sings end of one-word Campaign Theme Song: Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da, Bach-Man!!!)
Back in the front, John Boehner is speaking to his Press Secretary about his Medicare article that was published by AARP:
Boehner:Those Democrats are trying to scare the old people with TV ads showing people falling off a cliff. It's wrong to use a scare tactic like that.
Boehner: No unlimited frequent fliers for you.
Obama: I don't want frequent fliers. I just want to save this plane. Look, saving the plane doesn't mean we'll be using Blue Gas or Red gas in the future. We're just keeping THIS plane intact.
In the back of the plane, Congresswoman Michele Bachman is taping a commercial:
Bachman: I will never allow any gas to be placed on this plane. This plane has used way too much gas. The people of this country want to take it back from the pirates who currently fly it.
(Music of the "Batman" TV show theme song is crescendoing in background)
Bachman:Better it should crash. I have my parachute and I'm gonna use it.
Voice Chorus sings end of one-word Campaign Theme Song: Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da-Da, Bach-Man!!!)
Back in the front, John Boehner is speaking to his Press Secretary about his Medicare article that was published by AARP:
Boehner:Those Democrats are trying to scare the old people with TV ads showing people falling off a cliff. It's wrong to use a scare tactic like that.
Press Secretary: Absolutely right, John.
Boehner: Let's tell them the truth, that if you go with the Democrats' plans you'll have 15 unelected bureaucrats who want to spend their time figuring out how they can deny Americans any health care.
Press Secretary: Sounds scary. Do you know those 15 people?
Boehner: Are you kidding? Nobody checks on this, don't worry.
Press Secretary: Sounds scary. Do you know those 15 people?
Boehner: Are you kidding? Nobody checks on this, don't worry.
Plane starts spinning out of control. Passengers assume crash positions and pray.
Scene is First Class cabin:
Former President Bill Clinton, in a soon-to-be-awarded-cameo, disheveled with glazed eyes says hoarsely:
I guess I picked the wrong week to quit smoking pot.
Screen is black, sound of someone “inhaling” a long toke.
Back to the cockpit.
Obama: This is an executive order. I order 10 Gallons of Blue gas and 5 of Red Gas to be placed on this plane immediately!
Just then Justices Roberts, Alito, Scalia, and Thomas appear with Donald Trump.
Scalia: Sorry, Mr. President, you do not have authority to do this. Got five votes right here.
Obama: But this is National Security!
Thomas: The passengers want a government that does not allow the President to control their lives. Accordingly, they have chosen a special representative pilot to take over from here on.
Obama: Who's that?
Trump: Obama, you’re fired!
The Rescue music starts.
The Rescue music starts.
In walks a smiling Otto The Autopilot. First flight since his appearance in the "Airplane" movies.
Usual movie fade routine to show scene in the past (flashback)…
Congressman Barney Frank: ..Uh oh, the autopilot lost his air, gotta do something…
Frank proceeds to start to blow up the autopilot, suddenly Michele Bachman walks in, sees what is going on, and makes a sour face.
Bachman: This is disgusting, disgusting.
She begins to walk away, but stops and turns around, says after a pause:
Bachman: Hey Barney, can I try?
External shot of airplane. Then back to the cockpit.
Otto is on top of Bachman (she only knows one position on anything..).
Bachman: Going for number 29! Whee!
Leslie Nielsen suddenly walks in the door
Nielsen: I’d just like to say “Good Luck, we’re counting on you”.
Nieslon exits.
Fade: Back to the present
Congressman Barney Frank: Just got Otto inflated. Bachman agreed to help. Ready to go.
Bachman: God bless Otto, such great ideas. Paul, tell them what we decided.
Congressman Ryan, on the mike, to all Passengers and Crew: (Gotta fix my hair first...OK) All right everyone, Otto has a solution to get us some gas before we land. Everyone eat those beans really fast now - we're counting on you. Mr. Brooks, you too.
Eating and flatulating can be heard throughout the plane. Gas is emitted.
Obama: A true bipfartisan solution - and a small, shared sacrifice by every citizen.
Passenger 1: We're gonna make it. God bless America.
Patriotic music plays, and the plane lands successfully.
(The end)
Cast:
Barack Obama - Bill Cosby
Michele Bachman - Julia Louis-Dreyfus
John Boehner - Alec Baldwin
Eric Cantor - Charlie Sheen
Paul Ryan - Steven Colbert
Nancy Pelosi - Talia Shire
Larry Craig - John Waters
Anthony Weiner - Jon Stewart
Barney Frank - Jay Leno
Harry Reid - Woody Allen
Harry Byrd - Hal Holbrook
Strom Thurmond - Richard Dreyfuss
John McCain - Steve Martin
Trump and Clinton play themselves
(Still working on the others, but we could always use "Saturday Night Live" people)
Author's note: We are in a serious situation. We must all do our part to make sure the plane of our government continues to fly. A crash would mean a loss of net income for many of us. Isn't that even worse than getting your taxes raised?
Bachman: God bless Otto, such great ideas. Paul, tell them what we decided.
Congressman Ryan, on the mike, to all Passengers and Crew: (Gotta fix my hair first...OK) All right everyone, Otto has a solution to get us some gas before we land. Everyone eat those beans really fast now - we're counting on you. Mr. Brooks, you too.
Eating and flatulating can be heard throughout the plane. Gas is emitted.
Obama: A true bipfartisan solution - and a small, shared sacrifice by every citizen.
Passenger 1: We're gonna make it. God bless America.
Patriotic music plays, and the plane lands successfully.
(The end)
Cast:
Barack Obama - Bill Cosby
Michele Bachman - Julia Louis-Dreyfus
John Boehner - Alec Baldwin
Eric Cantor - Charlie Sheen
Paul Ryan - Steven Colbert
Nancy Pelosi - Talia Shire
Larry Craig - John Waters
Anthony Weiner - Jon Stewart
Barney Frank - Jay Leno
Harry Reid - Woody Allen
Harry Byrd - Hal Holbrook
Strom Thurmond - Richard Dreyfuss
John McCain - Steve Martin
Trump and Clinton play themselves
(Still working on the others, but we could always use "Saturday Night Live" people)
Author's note: We are in a serious situation. We must all do our part to make sure the plane of our government continues to fly. A crash would mean a loss of net income for many of us. Isn't that even worse than getting your taxes raised?
Raising the debt ceiling does not increase the debt one penny, it just gives the government permission to borrow to pay its existing expenses. It does not make you pay a penny more of taxes, it does not cause you to lose one penny of benefits.
On a personal note, I was told by an employer that hiring is delayed because of the budget impasse. How many are in my shoes? Think about the Golden Rule, think about what you would do and then urge Congress to do the same.
By the way, here is Boehner's AARP article - I wasn't making this up.
To see the original Otto, here's the clip (with Hebrew subtitles, too). Now I can hear the sound effect when Otto is satisfied.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxcoe1Y2Ua8&feature=related
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
A Pending Debt Default and the Attack on My Country
September 11, 2001 was an eye-opener for many of us, including myself. I remember looking at the computer screen at the live feed from NY in total astonishment and disbelief. After both towers were hit, I wondered what would happen next - was this an invasion? Was my fiance OK (she was in NY on business - I took the last shuttle back from NY to DC the prior night). Later I watched the white smoke rise from the Pentagon - I worked only 5 miles from it. It was all surreal and frightening.
In subsequent months I began to hear that the U.S. was "warned" of the attack, but no one believed it would really happen.
Today, July 20th 2011, on my wife's and my 9th wedding anniversary, I am fearing another attack.
I did not personally suffer from the 9/11 attack, but the one that may be coming will, I believe, bring hard times to many people of this country.
This "attack" is the massive slowdown in our economy, caused by the deliberate decision in the United States Congress to default on the debt - by refusing to raise the debt ceiling.
The projected effects are even more frightening than 9/11. First, it will effect more people. Millions. Higher interest rates will mean a slowdown and people will be laid off. Also, there will be less consumer borrowing - even on essentials such as housing. And, even more frightening, I believe people will die - because of a combination of increased stress and less money due to unemployment.
This attack can be easily stopped, we all know how to do it.
While I agree that we must tackle the deficit and debt, now is not the time. Not when we have 9.2 percent unemployment. The appropriate times are either the election or during the budget debate itself. We have a divided Congress. Democrats have to wake up as to who won in 2010 and Republicans have to remember that they only won one election that gave them control of only one of the three avenues of Government (the courts make a fourth). Posturing can really be done at any time except when our lives depend on decisions that have to do with survival.
I will not go into detail here about the proposed budget cuts and tax increases. For the record I will probably go along with a compromise that Congress and the President agree on.
But I want to make one thing absolutely clear - my warning to Congress:
Any member of Congress who allows the U.S. debt to default will commit the moral equivalent of deliberately allowing the United States of America to suffer a deadly military attack.
A member of Congress who forces a debt default will have committed an act of betrayal to my country equivalent to treason. I will personally move to make a citizens arrest. I will move to have this person impeached and removed from Congress.
I will not allow our people to suffer because of this attack.
To Congress: Please put reason and compassion in your decision-making.
Thanks for reading.
Update 7/25/11: I visited Congress last week and left letters that state what I said above. Please, if you agree, do the same.
Also, I'm trying to find a movie-maker who can, on short notice, produce an Internet film that would simulate the effects of the disaster that would occur if the US defaults or if interest rates rise. If you know anyone please respond to this post. (BTW: I had a post last year that has the same concept: http://alanrockville.blogspot.com/2010/04/defeating-tea-movement.html )
Analogy: Our debt default would be akin to "national" foreclosure.
"Think of America as being passengers on an airplane that is running out of gas with 535 pilots on board. Experts say the plane will crash unless a decision is made by the pilots either to land the plane now or put gas in. The problem is that half the pilots want Gas brand “R”, half want gas brand “D”.
"Nobody budges. Nobody wants to land the plane now, all pilots want to decide on the brand of gas BEFORE landing.
"OK, pilots, what do you do?
"And don’t tell me that the plane isn’t going to crash: If you would like to stay on the plane and be THE FIRST to suffer the consequences of the crash, be my guest. But I’m a passenger and I don’t want to crash!
Just land the plane!!! Now!!!!"
Update 7/26/11 - First: I went to Congress and dropped off about 20 copies of my letter which has the stuff that's above.
Second: Just thought of this: In their 2001-2008 budgets, the Republicans wanted to be Santa Claus. Now they want to be Scrooge. And their current budget plan has no sanity clause (Thanks, Chico)
In subsequent months I began to hear that the U.S. was "warned" of the attack, but no one believed it would really happen.
Today, July 20th 2011, on my wife's and my 9th wedding anniversary, I am fearing another attack.
I did not personally suffer from the 9/11 attack, but the one that may be coming will, I believe, bring hard times to many people of this country.
This "attack" is the massive slowdown in our economy, caused by the deliberate decision in the United States Congress to default on the debt - by refusing to raise the debt ceiling.
The projected effects are even more frightening than 9/11. First, it will effect more people. Millions. Higher interest rates will mean a slowdown and people will be laid off. Also, there will be less consumer borrowing - even on essentials such as housing. And, even more frightening, I believe people will die - because of a combination of increased stress and less money due to unemployment.
This attack can be easily stopped, we all know how to do it.
While I agree that we must tackle the deficit and debt, now is not the time. Not when we have 9.2 percent unemployment. The appropriate times are either the election or during the budget debate itself. We have a divided Congress. Democrats have to wake up as to who won in 2010 and Republicans have to remember that they only won one election that gave them control of only one of the three avenues of Government (the courts make a fourth). Posturing can really be done at any time except when our lives depend on decisions that have to do with survival.
I will not go into detail here about the proposed budget cuts and tax increases. For the record I will probably go along with a compromise that Congress and the President agree on.
But I want to make one thing absolutely clear - my warning to Congress:
Any member of Congress who allows the U.S. debt to default will commit the moral equivalent of deliberately allowing the United States of America to suffer a deadly military attack.
A member of Congress who forces a debt default will have committed an act of betrayal to my country equivalent to treason. I will personally move to make a citizens arrest. I will move to have this person impeached and removed from Congress.
I will not allow our people to suffer because of this attack.
To Congress: Please put reason and compassion in your decision-making.
Thanks for reading.
Update 7/25/11: I visited Congress last week and left letters that state what I said above. Please, if you agree, do the same.
Also, I'm trying to find a movie-maker who can, on short notice, produce an Internet film that would simulate the effects of the disaster that would occur if the US defaults or if interest rates rise. If you know anyone please respond to this post. (BTW: I had a post last year that has the same concept: http://alanrockville.blogspot.com/2010/04/defeating-tea-movement.html )
Analogy: Our debt default would be akin to "national" foreclosure.
"Think of America as being passengers on an airplane that is running out of gas with 535 pilots on board. Experts say the plane will crash unless a decision is made by the pilots either to land the plane now or put gas in. The problem is that half the pilots want Gas brand “R”, half want gas brand “D”.
"Nobody budges. Nobody wants to land the plane now, all pilots want to decide on the brand of gas BEFORE landing.
"OK, pilots, what do you do?
"And don’t tell me that the plane isn’t going to crash: If you would like to stay on the plane and be THE FIRST to suffer the consequences of the crash, be my guest. But I’m a passenger and I don’t want to crash!
Just land the plane!!! Now!!!!"
Update 7/26/11 - First: I went to Congress and dropped off about 20 copies of my letter which has the stuff that's above.
Second: Just thought of this: In their 2001-2008 budgets, the Republicans wanted to be Santa Claus. Now they want to be Scrooge. And their current budget plan has no sanity clause (Thanks, Chico)
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