Elegant as diplomacy is required to be it is sometimes necessary to be quite direct and clear when Nations address each other. In these modern times political correctness is so much in vogue as to be carried to extreme. When this happens it becomes practically impossible for Nations to conduct negotiations in any meaningful manner. So it is that there is in actual fact no diplomacy whatsoever - thus an impasse prevails.
Such was becoming the case, until this week, between the Western World and Pakistan over Afghanistan, the Taliban, Al Queda, and military-political situations in general. It is clear to all concerned that Osama bin Laden, a persona wanted by the United States of America and other Nations, resides in the border area of Pakistan and Afghanistan. A status one might describe as 'open hiding' wherein it is known to many, ignored by all.
This week the Secretary of State of the United States of America spoke courteously, clearly and directly to the Government of Pakistan. Such Government does not like to address issues in this manner preferring to deal with them in, shall we say to use a current phrase, a dithering approach. Now that Pakistan has been told clearly and directly what is expected from that Government and how it must deal with these issues immediately. While it is unlikely to react with quite the Western approach stated by the United States of America, Pakistan does indeed realize it must address the diplomatic concerns stated by the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
One does wonder if this is an Obama Administration approach or the Secretary of State, concerned with the dithering approach of her own Government, decided to move things forward by direct action. It would appear to DIOGENES REMARKS that it was a calculated approach by an intelligent women very much in command of her own Department.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
THE EFFECT OF DITHERING CONTINUES
We learned today that dithering by the Obama Administration has had a further distressing effect and brought harm. In action in Afghanistan eight US Marines have been killed today. We now have a total of twenty-two service personnel killed this week and twenty-two families who have lost loved ones.
In addition an honourable man has resigned in protest to the conduct of the war in Afghanistan. He is CAPT. Matthew Hoh USMC who served in Japan, Iraq, The Pentagon while a military officer and after joining The State Department, was posted to Afghanistan. His four page letter of resignation is a model of well thought out reasoning by a highly intelligent and experienced officer.
If we are going to lose people of this calibre - it appears we will - then we are clearly in the throes of the results of evil dithering. Efforts by the highest ranking US State Department Officers failed to change CAPT. Hoh's mind.
We express our admiration to CAPT. Hoh USMC and wish him every success in his future. Also we express our sincere condolences to the twenty-two families of those lost in service.
In addition an honourable man has resigned in protest to the conduct of the war in Afghanistan. He is CAPT. Matthew Hoh USMC who served in Japan, Iraq, The Pentagon while a military officer and after joining The State Department, was posted to Afghanistan. His four page letter of resignation is a model of well thought out reasoning by a highly intelligent and experienced officer.
If we are going to lose people of this calibre - it appears we will - then we are clearly in the throes of the results of evil dithering. Efforts by the highest ranking US State Department Officers failed to change CAPT. Hoh's mind.
We express our admiration to CAPT. Hoh USMC and wish him every success in his future. Also we express our sincere condolences to the twenty-two families of those lost in service.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
EVIL DITHERING
The inability of the current US Administration continues to appall, irritate and disillusion the US voters, public and no doubt the US Military commands. Each day there are further indications of administrative inexperience, and poor decision-making ability. The lack of leadership by the Commander-in-Chief in response to the Field Command in Afghanistan requests, to execute the strategy assigned that Command, is deplorable. It further illustrates the unwise system of a President being both Civil and Military head of a country. With no military training whatsoever himself, he must completely depend on input from multiple sources with very different and often conflicting agendas. By Mr. Obama continuing to remain in the 'campaign mode', after ten months in Office, Mr. Cheney was correct to describe the effort, or lack thereof, as 'dithering' - his criticism was mild.
One could describe it as 'evil dithering' that is evil in the sense of Webster's New Dictionary definition, "causing or threatening distress or harm".
Each day more lives are lost in the Afghanistan conflict, fourteen just this weekend, which might have been saved by answering the Field Command request. This request was assessed by highly experienced military personnel knowing what is needed to prevent or at least reduce deaths and make the assigned strategy effective.
Meanwhile families are wondering when or if ever they are going to see again those who serve. We honour all of you, thank you for your service and hope the evil dithering will stop, - whatever decision is finally made.
One could describe it as 'evil dithering' that is evil in the sense of Webster's New Dictionary definition, "causing or threatening distress or harm".
Each day more lives are lost in the Afghanistan conflict, fourteen just this weekend, which might have been saved by answering the Field Command request. This request was assessed by highly experienced military personnel knowing what is needed to prevent or at least reduce deaths and make the assigned strategy effective.
Meanwhile families are wondering when or if ever they are going to see again those who serve. We honour all of you, thank you for your service and hope the evil dithering will stop, - whatever decision is finally made.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
UNANIMOUS DECISION
The Norwegian Nobel Committee consists of five members and according to Thorbjoern Jagland the decision to award U.S. President Obama the Peace Prize was unanimous. Really - the five seat panel was asked if they had expected their decision to generate both surprise and criticism. Three of them responded, the fourth declined to answer, and the fifth did not even answer calls seeking comment. Now in all truthfulness does this sound like a unanimous decision committee unwaveringly proud of its selection.
DIOGENES REMARKS considers it a left-wing influenced decision that at least two members just went along with. This year there was a new Nobel panel member, Aagot Valle a Norwegian left-wing politician. He dismissed the idea that Obama was without merit but did not state what was meritorious. One Nobel committee member Inger-Marie Ytterhorn thought that Obama did not greet the announcement of the award with joy. Indeed the President did not look particularly happy and that was his opportunity to be a gentleman and graciously decline the award - he did not do so. The long time committee member Kaci Kullman Five commented briefly stating only that a discussion had been expected.
More and more one feels a left-wing pressure that others went along with for the award of this clearly Political Prize.
DIOGENES REMARKS considers it a left-wing influenced decision that at least two members just went along with. This year there was a new Nobel panel member, Aagot Valle a Norwegian left-wing politician. He dismissed the idea that Obama was without merit but did not state what was meritorious. One Nobel committee member Inger-Marie Ytterhorn thought that Obama did not greet the announcement of the award with joy. Indeed the President did not look particularly happy and that was his opportunity to be a gentleman and graciously decline the award - he did not do so. The long time committee member Kaci Kullman Five commented briefly stating only that a discussion had been expected.
More and more one feels a left-wing pressure that others went along with for the award of this clearly Political Prize.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
POLITICAL IMPROPRIETY
As a result of the explosive discoveries of Alfred Nobel numerous deaths in the workplace and war occurred. In turn this resulted in the creation of the Nobel Prizes awarded in various disciplines. DIOGENES thinks it interesting that none of those involved in the development of the atom endowed similar Prizes. This knowledge which in turn resulted in Atomic and Nuclear explosions with thousands of resulting deaths appears acceptable.
In their wisdom the Nobel Committee of Sweden awards the Prizes with one exception. The Nobel Committee of Norway awards the Nobel Peace Prize. One would think that this would be the most thoughtful and coveted Nobel of all. Sadly it does not seem so. The Nobel Peace Prize from Norway has descended into the sordid morass of International Politics. One would suggest that this is acknowledged and the Prize renamed the 'Nobel Political Prize' and so award it.
Over the years the Norwegian Prize has been used to make political statements by being awarded to mainly leftists and left-of-centre candidates. This year the candidate chosen is perhaps the most puzzling of all. Recently elected President of the United States of America he has accomplished - well therein lies the puzzle.
During a very brief time in the U.S. Senate he neither wrote or presented any Bill and Chaired no principal Committee. With really no Federal Government administrative experience, position or accomplishments he was elected by the 'vox populi' only. One might want to consider that such voting lead to the downfall of the Roman Empire. This in turn led to five hundred years of stagnation known as the Dark Ages - which even Diogenes lamp failed to illuminate. The weakness of this background is now beginning to show, after just nine months in office, with poor leadership in the Civil Government and confused lack of leadership as Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Military.
This in and of itself is one of the weaknesses in the U.S. Constitution which, in spite of the desire for checks and balances, gives both the Chief Civil Position and the Chief Military Position to the same person. Resulting this time in a decision maker with absolutely no military training whatsoever - beyond being able to execute a really excellent crisp Marine Corps salute.
It is clear that Norway has awarded its Nobel to a person who has not published on international affairs, never worked in a peace non-governmental organisation. By accepting this award from Norway the U.S. President has now placed himself in the most impossible position. He must now reach decisions about how to proceed in Afghanistan, with North Korea which launches missiles every U.S. Holiday, and negotiate with Persia, now called the Islamic Republic of Iran, a regime which denies the Shoah. This tragedy, so well documented by those who conducted it, that it is factual beyond any slightest doubt.
The Norwegian award of the Nobel Peace Prize is the height of Political Impropriety and the Candidate is most ill advised to accept it.
In their wisdom the Nobel Committee of Sweden awards the Prizes with one exception. The Nobel Committee of Norway awards the Nobel Peace Prize. One would think that this would be the most thoughtful and coveted Nobel of all. Sadly it does not seem so. The Nobel Peace Prize from Norway has descended into the sordid morass of International Politics. One would suggest that this is acknowledged and the Prize renamed the 'Nobel Political Prize' and so award it.
Over the years the Norwegian Prize has been used to make political statements by being awarded to mainly leftists and left-of-centre candidates. This year the candidate chosen is perhaps the most puzzling of all. Recently elected President of the United States of America he has accomplished - well therein lies the puzzle.
During a very brief time in the U.S. Senate he neither wrote or presented any Bill and Chaired no principal Committee. With really no Federal Government administrative experience, position or accomplishments he was elected by the 'vox populi' only. One might want to consider that such voting lead to the downfall of the Roman Empire. This in turn led to five hundred years of stagnation known as the Dark Ages - which even Diogenes lamp failed to illuminate. The weakness of this background is now beginning to show, after just nine months in office, with poor leadership in the Civil Government and confused lack of leadership as Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Military.
This in and of itself is one of the weaknesses in the U.S. Constitution which, in spite of the desire for checks and balances, gives both the Chief Civil Position and the Chief Military Position to the same person. Resulting this time in a decision maker with absolutely no military training whatsoever - beyond being able to execute a really excellent crisp Marine Corps salute.
It is clear that Norway has awarded its Nobel to a person who has not published on international affairs, never worked in a peace non-governmental organisation. By accepting this award from Norway the U.S. President has now placed himself in the most impossible position. He must now reach decisions about how to proceed in Afghanistan, with North Korea which launches missiles every U.S. Holiday, and negotiate with Persia, now called the Islamic Republic of Iran, a regime which denies the Shoah. This tragedy, so well documented by those who conducted it, that it is factual beyond any slightest doubt.
The Norwegian award of the Nobel Peace Prize is the height of Political Impropriety and the Candidate is most ill advised to accept it.
YOU LIE
During the State of the Union speech there were many remarks by the President which tended to 'stretch the truth'. This is nothing new, in his many speech's on multiple subjects the approach taken with the facts of the case is that of a defence counsel.
When summarising to a Jury on the behalf of ones client it is considered admissible to be one-sided. However when representing ones country before the Nation and both Houses of Congress the absolute truth only is acceptable.
This habit of adjusting the facts in accordance with the occasion is a very bad habit. It is a habit which will come back to haunt any person involved using it when making a point. Eventually it will develop into a lack of trust with the national population.
The mid-term elections may well reflect that feeling by electing those considered more trustworthy. It should be interesting to see how the voters now feel towards the Obama Administration.
It was indeed discourteous and improper of Representative Joseph Wilson, a Republican from South Carolina, to shout out "You lie" but of itself it was not untruthful. You see of the Parties involved Mr. Wilson was not the one who lied.
When summarising to a Jury on the behalf of ones client it is considered admissible to be one-sided. However when representing ones country before the Nation and both Houses of Congress the absolute truth only is acceptable.
This habit of adjusting the facts in accordance with the occasion is a very bad habit. It is a habit which will come back to haunt any person involved using it when making a point. Eventually it will develop into a lack of trust with the national population.
The mid-term elections may well reflect that feeling by electing those considered more trustworthy. It should be interesting to see how the voters now feel towards the Obama Administration.
It was indeed discourteous and improper of Representative Joseph Wilson, a Republican from South Carolina, to shout out "You lie" but of itself it was not untruthful. You see of the Parties involved Mr. Wilson was not the one who lied.
THE LAMP IS LIT
To those of you familiar with Diogenes no more need be said. Those others of you will need to do some research.
From time to time events occur in our lives that need remarking on. DIOGENES REMARKS will give such a forum to share our opinions. We would encourage you to respond in kind and engage in civilised discussion. We look forward to your comments.
From time to time events occur in our lives that need remarking on. DIOGENES REMARKS will give such a forum to share our opinions. We would encourage you to respond in kind and engage in civilised discussion. We look forward to your comments.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)