The question for today is does Israel have the right to exist?  I know one might wonder why I would ask this question.  My support for Israel has been pretty open.  This is however more for their actions in response to terrorist and those people that threaten their existence in a violent manner.  The question for today is based more on the historical right of a people to populate an area not based solely on their native population.  I am not an expert in this area and I am only writing this as an exercise in thought. 

During World War I the Turks controlled the area of Palestine.  The Turks supported Germany.  At the end of the war the lands were turned over to France and Britain.  Britain gained control of the area of Palestine that would become Israel.  The claim is no other peoples had established a national homeland in Palestine since the Jews had 2000 years before so the Brits decided to support a Jewish homeland.  Was this correct?  Was it right?  Was it even smart?  These are questions for another time.

The Jewish people had already begun to immigrate back to this area in an effort to prepare for the rebirth or Israel.   According to some there was never initially an attempt to remove Arabs from this land but rather to revitalize the land.

When a large portion of this land was given to Emir Abdullah and Trans-Jordan (later just Jordan) was created.  One might have thought all would be happy.  The Jews had land and the Palestinians had land.  But that’s not quite how it worked out.  Arab nationalist encouraged attacks on Jews in an attempt to drive them out.  All the while the British seems to turn away from the conflict that was developing. 

In 1947 after the British turned the problem over to the United Nations.  The land was divided into an Arab state and a Jewish state.  The Arabs didn’t except this decision and when the state of Israel was formed war was declared.  The armies of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Yemen attacked.  Many Palestinians fled the area, many expecting the Jewish population to be eliminated.  The idea being they would avoid the messy part of this and return once the dirty work was done.  Israel lost 1% of their population fight this war and in the end the fleeing Palestinians became the first group of what was later termed as refugees.  Israel had won.  They had turned back and humiliated seven Arab armies.  Something the Arab nations cannot get over to this day. 

Now this is only a brief description of the beginning of Israel and not all inclusive but to my mind is the decision point that decides whether Israel has the right to exist.  While I don’t necessarily agree with the UN’s decisions to split the Palestinian area I do believe Israel filled at the time with Jewish and Arab Palestinians won their war and the right to survive as a separate nation.  Arab nations have attacked numerous times over the next fifty plus years and always with the same result and generally losing more ground. 

The entire Israeli – Palestinian conflict is complicated yet it’s seems clear that Israel has the right through international law and through armed conflict to continue.  As long as there are people and organizations that continue to deny the right of Israel to exist there will be conflict.  When the Arab-Palestinian communities begin to improve their own situation rather than blame other there may be a chance for peace in the region. 

On a side note.  In the May edition of the “Atlantic”, Benjamin Schwarz asks the question, “Will Israel live to 100?”  Will demographic and geographic realities have more impact on Israel’s survival than politics?   If some of Mr. Schwarz’s points prove correct Israel may not last right or wrong.

Ok here are some more pics.  This first one is of a little pond near our classroom.

The next is from north of Little Rock near the Arkansas River looking back towards the city.

Finally about two blocks from me is the Clinton Presidential Center.  You tell me if this was a great design.

I just finished a run so I'm heading for the shower and something to eat.  Class was like most military classes.  You really need a case of Red Bull and some no-doze.  Oh well. 

Ok, I'm staying in a hotel about three blocks from the Clinton Presidential Center.  I think they’re just screwing with us on that deal.  What I noticed right away is that the Centers design was strange to me.  I mean it doesn’t seem to fit the environment.  It’s actually a bit ugly.  Honest I don’t say this because of my feelings toward President Clinton.  Naturally everything around here seems to have Clinton on it.  I drove a little down President Clinton Ave. Not much to see.  But hey this is Arkansas.  I’ll try to get some pictures of this place while I’m here.  I did a little driving around tonight and once you get outside the city there are some really beautiful places here.  Like most cities the areas around downtown seemed a bit run down.  One big difference from Colorado of course is the water.  They actually have some here.  Everything is green and trees everywhere.  I didn’t notice any sprinkler systems in the yards either.  I guess rain really works.  It’s kind of a nice change. Anyway that’s my quick take so far.  

I’ve got internet access so hopefully I’ll not be a lazy ass and write some each night.

Does Iran have nukes?  The framing of this story now seems to be that if they do it’s a setback for the Bush Doctrine.  The doctrine that calls for pre-emptive strikes to stop those most dangerous of having nuclear weapons.  But I seem to recall the whole Iran thing in the hands of the Europeans and the United Nations.  Wasn’t it just a short time ago when everyone nervous over Iraq calling for the US to let the negotiations that Europe was engaged in continue.  The wail and cry came down to not rush into Iran. So the US stands back and says ok Europe go for it.  Now as that option may be failing (not a surprise) and Iran may already or is very close to possessing nuclear weapons the same folks want to point their fingers back and the President once again.  This is typical and it’s also why you don’t base foreign policy on making the left or the media happy they will screw you every time.

Iran is another one of those countries that should have been dealt with many years ago.  After the hostage situation in 79, the US should have made an example out of their leaders then.  For over 20 years Iran has blatantly supported terrorist and we have done nothing.  They aren’t the only ones but they are one of the big players. Now are options are limited and those within Iran that we would most like to support may pay the price of us waiting too long.

“I would not take military force, off the table. Period,” Biden said(senator Joseph Biden). “But the truth of the matter is … this is calculus, not arithmetic. Arithmetically, it doesn't look good ... The calculus — there are a lot of pieces on the board moving.”

This is the kind of vauge talk that got us where we are today.

Islamic Terrorism didn’t just appear out of nowhere in the last couple of years.  For at least 30 years we’ve seen the rise of threats and stood back watching.  We’ve listened too long to the “just give them what they want and they will go away” left that we are now dealing with criminals that have reached the status of statesmen.  We shied away from doing the messing work when it would have taken out just a few individuals and now we face limited courses of actions and all seem much harsher.  The world is a lot smaller now and wackos in far away lands now have the ability to reach us.  We’d better wake up.

Now I'm off for two weeks to a school.  I hope to have internet capabilities but I don't know at this point.  If not I'll be back soon.

They also said no Porn but I'm not going to show that picture..

General Peter Pace of the United States Marine Corps has been tapped to become the next Joint Chiefs of Staff.  I’m not very knowledgeable on General Pace but a Marine as the JCS in a time of War sounds good to me.  I hope he truly has the warrior spirit in him and is not a diplomat.  Yes I know they have to be somewhat to get to this level but maybe just maybe the old Marine in him will cuss and fight for the warriors and not the whiners.

Check out another SF blogger.  SFALPHAGEEK.  His words on Afghanistan are true.... He describes it better than I can. 

This is Gardez one of the places mentioned on his site..... A lovely place. 

The pass between Gardez and Kabul.  Much fun to be had here.  We crossed it another time with about a foot of snow on the ground and at times about 20 feet of visability.  But for some reason the bad guys didn't play much in the snow... Hummm 

PARIS, April 14 (UPI) -- A "no" vote to the European Constitution would weaken the EU and benefit the United States, warned French President Jacques Chirac, Thursday.

Orgune Afghanistan.  Can you say wild west?  That's what it felt like at times.

Sometimes I wonder why I continue to write on this blog.  It’s not like I make any money with it.  It’s not like I make lot of friends (I think I have made a few though).  I don’t have anything particularly new to say about any subject.  So why? 

After reading ASV tonight and Michele’s rant on the blogosphere, it does make one think a bit.  I know at times I’ve wanted to take this site serious and I would put a fair amount of time into a post only to get one comment.  At other times I’d make an off hand knee jerk post and get all kinds of responses.  It never made much since to me.   

It appears true that if you post controversial subjects you get more responses but does that mean more visitors?  I don’t know.  I quit looking at my visitor counter long ago.  It was like watching grass grow.  I don’t care to debate the far left anymore or the far right.  It’s like talking to 2 year olds.  I get enough of that at home but with the benefit of a hug and an episode of Speed Racer, a much better deal.  

Politics has burnt me out right now like so many others.  I want to see good movies, eat good steak and drink smooth beer (or Gin, Vodka and Scotch).  I want to feel the warm summer sun while I read a good novel (no more “Breakdown”, and “America’s Secret War” both good books but depressing).  Nope I want books where the good guys are funny and always win.   I want a story where the dames are soft and needy.  You know fantasy.   

So will I stop?  Nah, but it crosses the mind now and then.

Now a random Afghan pic

Movie Recommendation.  Twilight Samurai.  This is not a martial arts film.  It’s a story of a father.  Hiroyuki Sanada who was in “The Last Samurai” plays the lead and I found it a damn good movie.  Its subtitled so be prepared.  Four stars…..

I found this movie in the recent releases section at blockbuster.

Back of Video box : Seibei Iguchi, a samurai widower, works hard each day to support his two daughters and his elderly mother. Yet when word of his prowess with a sword spreads, Seibei is reluctantly caught up in a conflict between clans.

Roger Ebert wrote: ….After working all day in the office, Seibei hurries home to grow crops to feed his family and earn extra cash. His co-workers gossip that his kimono is torn, and that he smells. One day the lord of the clan comes to inspect the food stores, notices Seibei's aroma, and reprimands him. This brings such disgrace on the family that Seibei's stern uncle reminds him, "Only a generation ago, hara-kiri would have been called for." His uncle advises him to remarry, to get another worker into the home to prepare meals and do laundry. It happens that his childhood sweetheart Tomoe (Rie Miyazawa) has just divorced her wife-beating husband, and begins to help around the house. The girls love her, but Seibei is shy and tired and cannot imagine remarrying….

…. The closing third of the film is magnificent in the way it gathers all we have learned about Seibei, and uses it to bring depth to what could have been a routine action sequence, but is much more. We see Tomoe shyly preparing him for battle ("Allow me to comb your hair"), and after a crucial conversation, he leaves her and goes to Yogo's home, where the body of an earlier emissary lies in the courtyard, covered by a swarm of flies…..

Note: "Twilight Samurai" swept the 2003 Japanese Academy Awards, winning 12 categories, including best picture, director, screenplay, actor, actress, supporting actor and cinematography.

Yeah I know I should write my own review but hell Roger gets paid for it and I agree with him on this one. 

It's 29 degrees outside, I'm watching Tiger Woods play in the Masters and I'm thinking, it sure looks warm there in Georgia. 

Meanwhile here I-25 north of Colorado Springs is Closed. 

Where I'm at it's actually not bad.  The snow isn't sticking on the ground but the wind is kicking in hard. 

It's funny just a few miles up the road it's apparently snowing pretty good and sticking. 

So, what's my sunday going to be like? Well, the following announcement doesn’t sound to promising.  I’ve been put on alert for this time period.  Humm could be interesting.

Update:  I'm thinking golf is out..

Update: Sunday Morning, Snow is falling and the wind is blowing pretty bad.  There's not much on the ground were I live but the forcaste still calls for 6-10 inches and 12-18 for the total amount from the storm.  No call to head out for me so that's good.

Severe Weather Alert from the National Weather Service

.../X.NEW.KPUB.BZ.W.0002.050410T0900Z-050411T1200Z / COLORADO SPRINGS VICINITY/SOUTHERN EL PASO COUNTY/RAMPART RANGE BELOW 7400 FT-PUEBLO AND VICINITY/PUEBLO COUNTY BELOW 6300 FT- INCLUDING... COLORADO SPRINGS... PUEBLO 455 PM MDT SAT APR 9 2005

... BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM SUNDAY TO 6 AM MDT MONDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PUEBLO HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD WARNING... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM SUNDAY TO 6 AM MDT MONDAY.

THIS BLIZZARD WARNING IS FOR SOUTHERN EL PASO COUNTY AND PUEBLO COUNTY... INCLUDING THE CITIES OF COLORADO SPRINGS AND PUEBLO.

SNOW WILL BEGIN TO FALL ACROSS THE AREA LATE TONIGHT AND BECOME HEAVY AT TIMES ON SUNDAY. VERY STRONG NORTH WINDS OF 25 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 60 MPH ARE EXPECTED TO COMBINE WITH THE HEAVY SNOWFALL TO PRODUCE WHITE OUT CONDITIONS AT TIMES. DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE WINDS... SNOW AMOUNTS WILL VARY DRAMATICALLY ACROSS THE AREA WITH TOTAL SNOWFALL AMOUNTS RANGING FROM 4 TO 6 INCHES ACROSS THE SOUTHERN COLORADO SPRINGS AND PUEBLO AREAS... WITH UP TO A FOOT POSSIBLE FOR NORTHERN PORTIONS OF COLORADO SPRINGS. HEAVIER SNOW AMOUNTS OF 6 TO 18 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED SOUTH OF THE ARKANSAS RIVER IN SOUTHERN PUEBLO COUNTY.

A BLIZZARD WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS AND POOR VISIBILITIES ARE LIKELY. THIS WILL LEAD TO WHITEOUT CONDITIONS... MAKING TRAVEL EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. DO NOT TRAVEL. IF YOU MUST... HAVE A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT WITH YOU. IF YOU GET STRANDED... STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE.

For those that might need it.

If the day looks kinder gloomy

  And your chances kinder slim,

  If the situation's puzzlin'

  And the prospect's awful grim,

  If perplexities keep pressin'

  Till hope is nearly gone,

  Just bristle up and grit your teeth

  And keep on keepin' on.

  Frettin' never wins a fight

  And fumin' never pays;

  There ain't no use in broodin'

  In these pessimistic ways;

  Smile just kinder cheerfully

  Though hope is nearly gone,

  And bristle up and grit your teeth

  And keep on keepin' on.

  There ain't no use in growlin'

  And grumblin' all the time,

  When music's ringin' everywhere

  And everything's a rhyme.

  Just keep on smilin' cheerfully

  If hope is nearly gone,

  And bristle up and grit your teeth

  And keep on keepin' on.

_Anonymous._

From "It Can Be Done" Poems of inspiration.

So Prince Charles has married Camilla.  Well good. The harping continues about Diana and if Camilla will win over the hearts and minds of the Diana fans.  But really who cares?  Diana’s groupies were and are a shallow lot if you ask me.  They probably think Britney Spears is a great singer.   (That should get some feedback) I don’t get the fuss.  Hell yes they cheated.  Guess what they aren’t the only ones.  Diana contrary to the popular myth wasn’t a saint.  Either way I don’t think the marriage deserves the attention for good or bad.  Leave them alone I say.

You know the world is a hard place sometimes and there are a lots of things that happen that just aren't right.  This is just one a thousands of sad endings that shouldn't have happend.

Soldiers Widow killed by her father.

I decided I wanted to see a movie.  Last week and this weekend were long and I was tired of thinking about work.  So, yesterday I took myself down to the local theater looking for something to take my mind off work and just get away.  Two movies caught my eye, Hostage with Bruce Willis and Sin City also with Bruce Willis and many others.  After a short mental debate I went for Sin City figuring that was just far enough out of reality to get me to that special movie place.  You know the place where outside stresses just don’t make it in.  Well I was right. 

This movie was an adrenaline rush from the beginning.  It’s film mostly in Black and White which I like anyway and is no nonsense storytelling all the way.  For a complete and good review, check out Roger Ebert’s site.  He pretty much tells it as I saw it. 

It’s an adaptation of Frank Millers graphic novel (comic book), and it’s very much like watching a live action comic book.  The violence is over the top and the characters are unforgettable. 

So I give it 4 stars. 

Standouts:

Mickey Rourke was outstanding as Marv. 

Jessica Alba is well ......hot.

Bruce Willis is of course always good.

If you like hearing about the Special Forces experience check out Jack Army, the voice of another former 10^th Group NCO.   

Berger's Plea

The rules just don’t apply to some.  Former National Security Advisor Sandy Berger has apparently been given a plea bargin for the left of classified documents.  This is one of those incidents where the complete hypocrisy of the law shows its face.  Let a lowly Sgt in the Army try that stunt he’d have the book thrown at him.  But of course the rules don’t apply to governmental bureaucrats. Under the terms of the plea he will pay a fine of $10,000 and have his security clearance suspended for three years.  What the F**k people.  This guy was the National Security Advisor for Christ sake.  This is where the examples should be made, at the top.  

Do you really think 10K will be much of an impact on Mr. Berger?  Hell no.  Why he doesn’t he lose his clearance for life is beyond me. This guy shouldn’t be allowed near anything even remotely sensitive ever again.  

To this day I haven’t heard a good reason why he did it.  What was he thinking and was this the way the Clinton Administration looked as security matters?  Well we know the answer to that one.