US President’s weekly Yahoo! News updates

[NOTE: No, I am not really the US President. However, by acting the way I think he should act and saying the things I think he should say, perhaps that could change.]

Once per week, I share comments I’d posted to articles appearing on Yahoo News. These were posted between May 22 and today, though appear below in no particular order. As is my usual custom, if I open with a quoted item, that’s from the article itself.

Posted on Yahoo! News

ONE:

“I wish Jeb Bush had a different last name. He’d be fantastic,” said Henry Barbour...

Not so fast...Maybe being a Bush is an asset. Obama followed in Bush's footsteps to such a profound degree, he basically rehabilitated the name. I even wrote a blog about Obama adding Dubya's head (that is, a sculpted version thereof) to Mount Rushmore. Blogging can be such fun!

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"Wouldn't it be amazing if Obama, who magically took away much of Dubya's stigma, lost the election to Jeb...for precisely that reason!?"

TWO:

[This was my response to an article about a search warrant executed in the California home of a 91-year-old woman who sold suicide kits.]

“...but said he could not comment on the contents of the warrant..." Could not or would not? Sounds like the feds were acting way beyond the bounds of what the warrant authorized. Unless they found a judge who gave them a blank check (not supposed to do that).

“…and spent the next 10 hours packing up ‘boxes and boxes and boxes’ of stuff and leaving a mess.”  If these invaders can spend 10 hours executing a blank-check warrant, they can spend an hour, under the strict guidance of the homeowner, to clean up. What’s wrong with people? Doesn't Obama's terrorist squad have anything better to do? Remember, people, you're paying for this.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“(sigh) This is just another instance of the feds trying to make an example out of someone.”

THREE:

"...reconsider the deadline for the sake of the country's security."

No extension of deadline will enhance Iraq's security. Only pulling out those troops will give the better chance of long-term success. But...we don't anticipate long-term very well.

Five years ago, I predicted that the "real" War in Iraq will begin once our troops were significantly drawn down. Reassertion: We should never have gone there in the first place, and should have left way before now. But Obama won the election and decided to maintain the Bush Doctrine. Fool! And fool on us for going for the Change rap.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"The more things 'Change,' the more they remain the same."

FOUR [I wish some reporter would actually ask this question.]

Reporter to Romney after he announces prez run: "Mr. Romney, if you're elected, will you take the oath of office with your hand on the Bible or on the Book of Mormon [which, as an article of faith, you claim to be superior to the Bible]?"

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"This is not a 'religious test' question, it's a question of consistency of values. FYI, were I to be sworn in, my hand will be on the Lotus Sutra. Nothing less will do. [I don't have a problem with such questions.]"

FIVE [On the proposed introduction of NATO helicopters in Libya]:

Well, looks like we're trying to pick a winner in Libya. Be careful what you ask for. As soon as an RPG brings down one of those choppers, the din of cheering from the EU will turn to stone silence. Even worse? If one of those choppers has to land due to mechanical problems and the locals decide to take the crew, skin them alive, and post that on the internet.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"These kinds of decisions make me wonder about the effects of inbreeding among the leadership."

SIX:

“The 12,000 police officers securing the seaside town of Deauville…spent most of their time checking entry badges.”

If those 12,000 officers are tied down to petty duty in Deauville, that means there are security gaps where those officers would normally otherwise be. French authorities worried about Islamic militants have just made it that much easier for militants to attack the unguarded places.

The basic principle of judo: When facing a bigger, stronger opponent, just look for the places where he’s vulnerable (that is, where his forces are absent). It doesn’t get any simpler than that. No wonder these guys can’t take out Gadhaffi.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“The most telling part of this story is that the police found it necessary to take away the [Buddhist] monk’s banner. What on earth are these people afraid of?”

SEVEN:

Let’s get one thing straight: The people of these Middle Eastern nations aren’t necessarily clamoring for democracy. What they oppose are their crushing autocratic regimes, and lack of opportunity to live decent lives. They would accept a benevolent king if one could be found. Problem is: Corruption and cronyism. Which are problems found everywhere the world over – even in democracies.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“As a Buddhist, I don’t support democracy simply because it can’t work (all pretensions to the contrary); I support either a benevolent kingship (example: rule by Jesus) or a pure democracy – without the thwarting mechanisms we find near and dear (like the filibuster, for example).”

EIGHT [My reply to another blogger’s observations]:

What do you mean "as long as?" Even if all of these negatives you cite magically disappeared, Israel still would not allow for an independent Palestinian nation to arise. The Zionists within Israel are too strong and they think they're entitled (by God, no less) to keep permanent possession of all of the West Bank. And a lot more than that, truth be told, but that's another story.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"When God told the Israelites He was 'giving' them that land, he was only testing them. And they've failed that test miserably."

NINE:

“[Huntsman] must strike a balance between emphasizing the fiscally conservative policies likely to attract GOP primary voters and explaining others certain to repel them.”

“Explaining” will turn out to be quite easy. All Huntsman will have to do is simply tell the GOP base the facts of life, “You can’t nominate the dream candidate who adheres to all of your positions with any hope he’d actually win the presidency. Those things that repel you might attract votes from those who otherwise wouldn’t vote for me. That’s how elections are won.”

If elected, though, I’m afraid we’ll all find out much sooner than later what Huntsman himself must already know: “What I did as governor for the state of Utah cannot be replicated as President of the United States.”

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“No matter who the GOP nominates, Obama’s going to be reelected – so that’s that. And the GOP knows this, which is why they’re really aiming for election 2016.”

TEN:

“Canada will back Israel whatever the cost."

Hey, wait a minute, I thought that was the job our leaders foisted on us.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"I guess everybody missed the part PM Harper mumbled under his breath. Here's the full quote, 'Canada will back Israel whatever the cost to the ideals of human decency, honor, and fair play."

ELEVEN:

"We are not trying to physically target individuals in Gaddafi's inner circle on whom he relies but we are certainly sending them increasingly loud messages," British Defense Secretary Liam Fox said in a statement.

The UN mandate was for a no-fly zone and to protect civilians. How do bunker-buster bombs protect civilians? Where in the mandate does it say Britain gets to send them "increasingly loud messages?" Sounds rather indiscriminate to me.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012
"Without the rule of law, we are no better than terrorists."

TWELVE:

Consider these two statements side-by-side:

“NATO spokesman Maj. Tim James … didn't confirm the airstrike and provided no details about it...” [and]

“President Karzai blamed “American troops for airstrikes that killed the 14…”

Looks like NATO doesn’t have to bother to confirm that strike because Karzai already did so. Isn’t coordination among allies a wonder to behold? Although…it seems a lack of coordination caused those 14 deaths in the first place.

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

“If I’d been elected instead of Obama, we’d have been out of Afghanistan long ago and those 14 wouldn’t have died. Now that’s a change I can believe in!”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

Founder of The Independent Contractors’ Party

“I amazed that even someone as low down on the social totem pole as I can read the heavily censored/controlled news issued by an outlet such as Yahoo, and can still punch holes in their mainstreamed propagandized narrative.”

Contract me a bpa_cinc@yahoo.com

S&G's "The Boxer" - Lie, lie, lie, lie, lie

Today, I'm going to take on The Boxer, a song by Simon and Garfunkel which was written back in 1970. By "take on" I mean: after having wrestled with The Boxer, I can offer a unique interpretation of what its lyrics might mean, had they been written today.

Hear the song on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdKjEHfHINQ

First the Lyrics:

I am just a poor boy, though my story's seldom told,

How I squandered my resistance for a pocketful of mumbles,

Such are promises

All lies and jest, still a man hears what he wants to hear

And disregards the rest ....

When I left my home and my family, I was no more than a boy

In the company of strangers

In the quiet of a railway station, running' scared

Laying low, seeking out the poorer quarters, where the ragged people go

Looking for the places only they would know.

[REFRAIN]: Lie, lie, lie.

Lie, lie, lie, lie, lie, lie, lie.

Lie, lie, lie.

Lie, lie, lie, lie, lie, lie, lie.

Lie, lie, lie, lie, lie.

Asking only workman's wages, I come lookin' for a job, but I get no offers
Just a come on from the whores on 7^th avenue

I do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome

I took some comfort there.

Lie, lie, lie.

And I'm laying out my winter clothes, wishing I was gone, goin' home

Where the New York City winters aren't bleedin' me, leadin' me,

Going home.

In the clearing stands a boxer, and a fighter by his trade

And he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him

‘til he cried out in his anger and his shame

I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains.

Yes he still remains.

[REFRAIN]

Interpretation by Steven Searle

"Poor boy" means two things in this song:

ONE: All of us Americans, in that we are "poor" in spiritual terms. We are becoming increasingly dispirited or (in many cases) "morally bankrupt." Some are poorer than others, but almost all of us are indeed poor, in terms of not speaking out against U.S. aggression. I'm also thinking of how many people voted in 2004, for instance in the key state of Ohio, to re-elect Bush for the most selfish of reasons: The promise of access to cheap oil once we manage to ["quickly," we were assured] "stabilize" Iraq.

TWO: "Poor boy" also refers to the financially challenged who enlist in the military.

"My story's seldom told" means:

We don't like to tell the story of our (ongoing) national slide into moral bankruptcy. Instead, we create a myth about being on a mission from God to save the world, whereas thinly-disguised selfishness and greed are in reality at play. Also, the story of the poor/destitute is seldom told, since we much prefer indulging in tales of superheroes, American Idols, and those who are legends in their own minds.

"Squandered my resistance" means:

Giving up our good common sense (or "sales resistance") in exchange for nothing clearly expressed ("mumbles"). However, even if our leaders had "clearly expressed" themselves, they could not be held to account in a court of law for violating an oral contract. Politicians cannot be held to their promises, neither those in writing nor those spoken. I have, however, detailed on this blog certain creative ways in which politicians could enter into enforceable, written contracts. If they really wanted to. But they don't. Though I do...and I'm the only candidate for office who ever has.

"Squandered" means to cause to disperse. Instead of "dispersing" our resistance, we as a people should have gone into Solidarity mode. That is by, instead, concentrating our resistance. This would have been the only way to slam the brakes on the Neo-Cons, with a massive Polish-type Solidarity resistance. However, our Oligarchs (capably represented by Barack and Hillary...hell, all the Dems/Pubs) have become quite adept at dividing and conquering us. Truly, they would fear our unity.

"Pocketful of mumbles" means:

The "pocket" being referred to is "the politician's mouth." These are "deep pockets" indeed, in terms of being a bottomless well of things indistinctly expressed ("mumbles").

"Such are promises, All lies and jest" means:

To "jest" means to speak or act without seriousness. Anyone can promise (or "jest"), but such utterances should be treated as being "all lies," unless either backed up by an enforceable contract or coming from an impeccable person (by definition, not a Pub or a Dem).

"Still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest" means:

It's so true: The electorate doesn't really "hear" (critically evaluate) what our leaders say [just think: “Change you can believe in”]. They pick and choose (what pushes their buttons) and "disregard the rest."

"When I left my home and my family, I was no more than a boy" means:

"When I left the true source of my values (home, family, church), I was young and innocent and placed my trust in the false prophets who are our political leaders. I learned to say ‘Yes, sir,' [or, referring to the electorate, I learned to go along and trust them] and their goals became my goals."

"In the company of strangers" means:

Think of "a company [that is, military unit] of soldiers." Even the word "company" (in the military sense of the word) might come to undergo a change of definition. Maybe, in the future, after a few more foreign military adventures, "a company of soldiers" might come to literally and exclusively mean an association of persons for carrying on a commercial or industrial enterprise. The way our troops were used in Iraq (and are currently being used in Afghanistan) very strongly heralds this alternate definition.

In another sense, all of us Americans are "in the company of strangers" in terms of how poorly we communicate with each other. Paul Simon's song Sound of Silence works that theme rather nicely.

"In the quiet of a railway station" means:

The "railway station" here refers to Iraq, which is (in terms of the Project for the New American Century) merely a way station (that is, an intermediate stopping place - as on a railroad). What comes next, after we leave this way station? Iran, of course. Oh, lest I overlook something: We will never completely leave our Iraqi way station, but the idea is for most of our troops to be able to leave so as to push on to the next way station.

[NOTE: Since April of 2007, when I originally posted this piece, that “next way station” turned out to be Afghanistan in terms of our military surge there – thanks, Barack!]

How can Iraq be considered a "quiet" railway station? That's easy. Most of Iraq is, relatively speaking, very quiet ... in the ways that count. Most serious attacks occur in only a few places within Iraq's borders. The "quiet" I'm referring to, though, involves the ignored voices of the Iraqi citizen who has no voice as far as our leaders are concerned. Democracy is just a word, since only the voices of Iraqi leaders and opinion-makers (especially, the corrupt ones) are heard by our leaders. And those voices are heard in secret, behind closed doors, away from public scrutiny. So, yes, Iraq is a very "quiet railway station" indeed.

The Boxer's next 20 words ("laying low" through "they would know"):

Our soldier would sometimes have to be "runnin' scared" and sometimes would have to be "laying low." He would be "seeking out the poor quarters (where the insurgency is strongest), where the “ragged people go” (sounds like he’s singing: “rag head people;” many of our troops call the insurgents - in fact, all locals - "rag heads," referring to their traditional head-covering), looking for the places only they would know (the secret hiding places which locals could attack from or retreat to)." Our troops would be "looking for [those] places" in order to kill the insurgents.

In terms of the U.S. electorate, too many of us are "laying low," instead of boldly challenging the Neo-Cons and their false religion of world conquest. We are "seeking out the poorer quarters," in terms of how more and more of us are being pushed into difficult financial straits as individuals and as a nation, due to how surely our wars are bankrupting us.

We are becoming "the ragged people," that is worn out from stress and strain. There are certain places (in the mind) where "ragged people" "go" (that is, to retreat from reality). More and more of us are seeking those places, which are better known to the mentally unstable. Perhaps, often enough, mental instability stems from living in the stressful schizophrenic culture we're watching (from the sidelines) our leaders build for us.

"Asking only workman's wages" through "some comfort there" means:

With the depressed economy which could well become the permanent outcome of our wars, all of us might end up "asking only workman's wages" (but getting no job offers) in spite of our loftier qualifications.

In terms of our "poor boy" (before he joined the military), he might have found few opportunities for advancement in the civilian world. So he enlists. But after he joins, he remembers several false starts. A lot of young men will check out a military recruiter (another meaning of "the whores on 7^th avenue") several "times when I was so lonesome" so he could take some comfort there (as he listens to the recruiter spin out his promises of a better life in the military).

Next stanza:

Our soldiers in the Middle East war zones or civilians in the U.S. could be saying:

"In my mind, I'm laying out my winter clothes, which will be needed no matter what time of year, since a great, gray ‘winter' of discontent has settled over the U.S., and one must properly ‘clothe' oneself to survive in that. I wish I was going home to the way things were before the ‘New York City winters' became a year-round season nationwide due to the ugly turn our foreign policy took after the events of 9/11 (which took place, most prominently, in New York City)."

Last Stanza:

"In the clearing stands a boxer":

"Boxer" refers to our troops. The conventional (very Western) way they fight is well described by "boxer." A boxer fights with only part of his body actually landing any blows, in a "clearing" (a well-defined battlefield), with distinct rules of engagement. Of course, the rest of the world laughs at the limited martial art which is boxing, choosing instead to engage more of their wholeness (body and mind, combined with avoiding "clearings" where a boxer would have an advantage).

I'm going to stretch a definition here, concerning the word "glove" which can also mean "gauntlet." "Gauntlet" means a cross fire of any kind; also: ordeal [as in] ran the gauntlet of criticism and censure. With this broadened definition, our boxer can indeed incur blows from "every glove" without having to actually face another boxer (that is, another warrior fighting under the same rules of engagement, who would also be wearing traditional boxing gloves).

Of course, the kind of "cross fire" that would most seriously wound our boxer would be "cutting" remarks" from our own citizenry. These "cutting remarks" (urging withdrawal from our wars in a cuttingly critical manner) would be enough to induce both "anger and shame." And cause our boxer (or at least his manager) to exclaim (on behalf of the boxer), "I am leaving, I am leaving."

But, guess what. Last line of the song: "but the fighter still remains, yes he still remains." Words to the contrary, boxers don't like to quit (nor, especially, do their managers). Our troops/boxers will be remaining in "the clearing” – which is Iraq and Afghanistan – for decades to come. And by "clearing," I mean a zone cleared away of any obstacle that could stand in the way of U.S. world domination via the need to dominate those two countries for the time being.

The Refrain

I love Paul Simon's use of the accusatory, oft-repeated refrain: "Lie, lie, lie...," which blends in beautifully with the dramatic and battle-like music and effects at the end of the song. In real life, the sounds of battle and of lies go well together, often becoming indistinguishable - one from the other.


I hereby dedicate The Boxer to George Bush, his most able follower Barack Obama, and the untold thousands within our Shadow Government who have given us the New Militarism. All based on lies, lies, lies, and more lies, lies ...


Another Meaning of "The Boxer"

After playing The Boxer over and over in my mind, I came up with yet another meaning, having nothing to do with the song itself. This meaning just spontaneously occurred to me:


“The Boxer" is none other than George W. Bush who was personally responsible for "boxing up [in coffins]" our dead troops to be airlifted home for burial. Iraq was his war, our dead are his fault. And, no, I don't exaggerate when I say this. Another such “Boxer” has established himself in the person of Barack Obama – for much the same reasons.


NOTE: Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary (1980) is the source of all definitions above, which are underlined.


Steven Searle for U.S. President in 2012
Founder of The Independent Contractors’ Party

“Join the new American Revolution: Declare your independence by voting for independents.”


Contact me at: bpa_cinc@yahoo.com

Palestinian Possibilities

I will address the following topics in today’s blog post:

·       Stopping missile attacks against Israel

·       Who is Been-Jammin’ Knittin’-Yahoo? [Think: Yosemite Sam]

·       Selected comments regarding Obama’s May 22, 2011 speech to AIPAC

·       Selected comments regarding Netanyahu’s May 24, 2011 speech to the US Congress

·       Suggestions and observations concerning Israeli/Palestinian prospects for peace

·       US divestment of investments in Israel, including a ban on the purchase of Israeli War Bonds

·       My campaign commercial featuring an overly-compliant US Congress

Stopping missile attacks against Israel

There is a practical, nuts-and-bolts way to stop missile attacks against Israel – at least the ones coming from the Palestinians. But first, I offer something I tried to post on Yahoo News yesterday, which was censored (oh, well):

QUOTE:

"[Knittin' Yahoo's] rejection of a return to what he called the "indefensible" borders that Israel had before the 1967 Mideast war."

Wait a minute. "Indefensible," you say? Those borders had proved more than defensible during that particular war. What's different now? Israel is only stronger, not to mention having 200 nukes (okay, I'll mention it...I hope the PM isn't going to be a Nuke Denier).

Steven Searle for US President in 2012

"How does our Congress give this walking/talking Fascist Major Obstacle to Peace 12 standing ovations? What a bunch of k*ss a**es!"

:UNQUOTE.

What the Prime Minister is really asking for are impenetrable borders – even though he had used the word defensible. No nation on earth has absolutely inviolable borders, so he might as well stop asking for the impossible.

Even if Netanyahu got his way – his heart’s desire – that is, total annexation of the West Bank and Gaza City with Palestinians somehow magically disappearing…even under those conditions, Israel’s borders would still be “indefensible.” If Israel maintains its current course, fueled by its current attitude, this is what it can look forward to:

·       Some state or non-state actor is going to figure out how to get at Israel – with either missiles, germs, hack attack or something totally unanticipated at this present time. Bottom line? If any person or entity thinks it can treat the whole world as if it’s a mortal enemy over a long enough period of time, that will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

·       Concerning missiles: Technology – especially guidance systems – are only going to get better. So far, Israel’s been lucky that rockets fired by Hamas almost never hit their targets. Because of lack of a guidance mechanism or only having one that’s primitive! But that could change…if Israel decides it wants to be stubborn and try to keep the Palestinian issue in a permanent state of non-resolution.

As promised – here’s how I propose to stop terrorist rocket attacks:

The United States should take the aid money it gives to Israel and Egypt (given since 1976), and instead give it to the Palestinian man & woman on the street – that is, to the ordinary Palestinian citizen. My figures are rough, but you’ll get the general idea: The amount in question is $5 billion which, divided evenly among all Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza (about 4 million people) works out to an annual stipend of $1,250 for each man, woman, and child – annually.

Even better – arrange for a number of contributors in addition to (or even instead of) the United States: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and even (eventually) Iraq come to mind. The idea of Muslim taking care of Muslim has a nice ring to it, which would (ironically) help Israel finally resolve this long standing dispute.

However, there should be one condition: The bounty stops if the rocket attacks resume. Each Palestinian would stand to lose an awful lot in that event, so they would vigorously self-police.

Selected comments regarding

Obama’s May 22, 2011 speech to AIPAC

In my usual fashion, I will quote from Obama’s speech, and follow with my own comments:

QUOTE: No vote at the United Nations will ever create an independent Palestinian state.

COMMENT: Why not? After all, Israel came into existence due to the machinations of the UN. Israel might not always be able to count on the US to use its Security Council veto power to thwart such a UN move. As Israel knows all too well – changes in administration can produce changes in policy. Translation? The US might get so sick of Israeli intransigence that it will throw its support behind any UN move to create a Palestinian state.

QUOTE: Moreover, we know that peace demands a partner –- which is why I said that Israel cannot be expected to negotiate with Palestinians who do not recognize its right to exist.

COMMENT: There will always be some Palestinians who will never recognize this right, so I hope Obama isn’t hoping for unanimity on this count. Besides, there are Jews who do not recognize Palestine’s right to exist, simply because they think God gave all of that land to the Jewish tribe. Should Palestine shun negotiations with any of them – or just continue plotting and scheming long enough until they hit on a plan or unique combination of circumstances that will deal Israel a mighty blow? As they say, every dog has its day.

QUOTE: I said that the United States believes that negotiations should result in two states, with permanent Palestinian borders with Israel, Jordan, and Egypt, and permanent Israeli borders with Palestine.  The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps -- (applause) -- so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states. The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, and reach their potential, in a sovereign and contiguous state.

COMMENT: Obama got into a bit of trouble with that bit about starting negotiations “based on the 1967 lines.” Some thought he was urging an Israeli withdrawal behind those lines. However, Obama later pointed out that he had added the condition about “mutually agreed land swaps.” I’m confused, though, about how “mutually agreeable” any land swaps can be, since Israel holds all the cards.

But the thorniest issue would involve Palestine as a “contiguous state.” One way that might happen (my suggestion): The Gaza strip should be ceded to Israel, and all Israeli settlements in the West Bank should be ceded to Palestine. Also, Israel should give up any notion of holding onto the West Bank of the Jordan River. An army can’t be maintained there unless access is allowed through Palestine – which would be a violation of its sovereignty.

Also, Jerusalem should become an international city under the jurisdiction of the UN – with its headquarters relocated there.

Perhaps (again my suggestion) that $1,250 stipend could also be offered to Palestinians who are citizens of and living in Israel – if they would leave Israel and relocate to the newly-independent state of Palestine. Of course, this implies that Palestinians would give up the Right of Return (to Israel), but they weren’t about to get that anyway.

QUOTE: As for security, every state has the right to self-defense, and Israel must be able to defend itself –- by itself -– against any threat.

COMMENT: Defend itself “by itself – against any threat?” That’s simply not possible. Oh, nations can try to defend themselves but not even we are always 100% successful – the 9/11 attacks and Pearl Harbor come to mind. If the US couldn’t do it, how could anyone else?

The best way for Israel to guarantee its security is to find a way to make friends, and one way to do that would be if it helped the Palestinians prosper. And, as I mentioned above, the stipend I’m proposing for each Palestinian, courtesy of the US Treasury, would help. But I’m hoping Israel somehow manages to assist in this enterprise, possibly in terms of joint enterprises.

Selected comments regarding

Netanyahu’s May 24, 2011 speech to Congress

In my usual fashion, I will quote from Netanyahu’s speech, and follow with my own comments:

QUOTE: So it’s therefore vital, absolutely vital, that a Palestinian state be fully demilitarized.

COMMENT: Frankly, it would be great if Palestine spared itself the expense of maintaining an armed force. And it might well decide to do just that – for now. But what about the future? Will a duly-elected leader decide his country has to join the ranks of the militarized? If so, does that mean Israel starts throwing bombs? Bottom line: There’s no way to guarantee permanent disarmament, even on condition of the US promising to continue stipend payments (described above) in perpetuity. [Maybe Congress might pull the plug on that or Palestine might acquire a real enemy it feels needs discouraging.]


QUOTE: And it’s vital, absolutely vital, that Israel maintain a long-term military presence along the Jordan River.

COMMENT: Why? “Absolutely vital,” you say? Does Netanyahu hope that will be a front line of defense against waves of Jordanian tanks crossing the river on make-shift bridges? If he thinks Israel might be invaded through Palestine, maybe Palestine should be militarized after all. Anyway, maintaining an Israeli army on the west of the Jordan River wouldn’t be necessary in the face of Jordanian hostilities. Aerial surveillance will detect any massing of the king’s forces which can be promptly dealt with by the IDF.

          At this point, I have to say, “If Netanyahu is afraid of the Jordanians, I wonder how many other enemies he thinks he has hiding under his bed?” The Jordanians? No offense but, are you kidding?

          The real reason Netanyahu insists on this “absolutely vital” (though nonsensical) provision is to set up yet another discouraging roadblock for Palestinian negotiators. For the PM doesn’t really care to negotiate at all and will set up any obstacles he can imagine. That is the sad truth of the matter.

Question: Who is Been-Jammin’ Knittin’-Yahoo?

Answer: Benjamin Netanyahu

Before I talk about B-J K-Y, I’ll tell you upfront: I not only dislike the Prime Minister, I detest him since I think he’s a pathologically violent man. Now, you might ask: “If you really feel that way, but end up (somehow) being elected US President, won’t your first face-to-face with him be a bit awkward?”

Answer: He and I will never meet face-to-face. For one thing, I will instruct the State Department to reject any request for the PM to even enter the United States. And I’m certainly not going to Israel any time soon. Since I will have voided our diplomatic recognition of Israel, Knittin’-Yahoo and I won’t have any reason to speak. So we won’t. And that’s that.

As to the meaning of the joke name:

First, I refer you to a YouTube clip of a famous cartoon character known as Yosemite Sam – an angry little man quick to engage in violence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOUhGcsHqDM

That’s how I see the Prime Minister, who is really just an old war dog with no sense of how to create a lasting peace – with justice for all.

To break down my name for him:

Been-Jammin’ – two possible meanings here: (1) As in “been jamming” up the peace process (obfuscating and gumming up the works) every chance he gets; (2) as in “been jamming” in the sense of musicians having a jam session*; (3) as in “been jammin’” this stick up yo butt for so long, you don’t even notice it.

*  More on the “jam session” meaning: A “jam session” is often between musicians who do not usually play together and just play off one another for the fun of it, especially without any preconceived ideas as to outcome [sounds like the peace process]. It might refer to musicians filling the stage (that is, jamming to capacity) - as often an open jam session would result in a lot of participants – for better or worse [again, sounds like the peace process].

Knittin’ – I have this vision of a mercurial, excitable Yosemite Sam-type PM animatedly “knitting” his eyebrows as he angrily denounces enemies and allies alike.

Yahoo – A Yahoo is either a member of a race of brutes in Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, who have all the vices of and the form of (but aren’t necessarily) humans, or a yahoo is a boorish, crass, or stupid person. [No, I won’t call the PM “stupid” – except in the ways of peace – for all and not just members of his tribe.]

US divestment of investments in Israel,

including a ban on the purchase of Israeli War Bonds

I call them “Israeli War Bonds” even though the purpose of their sale is to raise cash for peaceful development. However, any money Israel raises for peace serves to free up money which can be spent to maintain its status as a permanently armed camp. I am tired of our politicians bleating about how much we support Israel and will do so forever under all circumstances. Our leaders proudly say, “Nobody tells Israel what to do.”

          Fine…I will be the last person to try to boss Israel around. But I think we can exert influence on their thinking. They certainly believe they can influence ours! And it’s looking more and more like we’ll have to use that influence in the name of tough love. In this post, I’m only offering a range of options, not all of which we have to engage at once. But I don’t much like the status quo. I don’t approve of sharing our highest level military technology, our annual multi-billion dollar cash giveaway, or swearing our eternal allegiance to Israel’s security.

          As far as I’m concerned, all nations are equally deserving of our respect and treatment, until they give us reason to think otherwise. And we don’t serve ourselves or anyone else well by singling out “special” relationships. Israel will rise and fall on its merits (as will we all, countries and individuals alike) due to the nature of its karma. And no one should expect any more or less than what their karma dictates. If they don’t like where they think that might lead them, then it’s time to make the amends necessary to change that karma.

My campaign commercials

I’ve posted scripted scenarios on this blog regarding commercials, in support of my presidential campaign, I hope might end up on YouTube. Add this concept to that pile:

I would love to see a spot showing a live clip of our fawning Congressmen giving Netanyahu twelve standing ovations. But the speaker would be the Yosemite Sam cartoon character mentioned above, spouting the PM’s rhetoric in Sam’s voice. Sam could even draw his 6-shooter and fire some emphasizing shots into the ceiling as he harangues our leaders.

I’m hard-put to figure out why the PM was invited to address our Congress in the first place. I read the text of his speech and saw nothing there requiring the physical presence of our representatives. Don’t they have more pressing business than to gather to hear a prepared text? Or maybe they had to be there or AIPAC would “note” their absence and start working against their reelection.

My campaign slogan would work well in such a commercial:

“Join the New American Revolution: Declare your independence by voting for independents.”

As the camera pans the faces of our fawning Congressmen (12 standing ovations, indeed!), a voiceover could point out: “Been-Jammin’ Knittin’-Yahoo obviously has the undivided attention of our elected leadership. Question: When will We-the-People get that kind of attention? Answer: We won’t – unless we get rid of the Dem/Pubs who insist on business as usual – like giving Israel everything it wants. We need independents who will give us everything we want.”

This might be a little over the top but here goes: As those Congressmen are applauding the PM, computer-generated images of trolls in yarmulkes could be seen circulating among that audience, stuffing dollar bills into their pockets. That’s not much of exaggeration of our current political reality.

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Steven Searle for US President in 2012

Founder of The Independent Contractors’ Party

“Peace is possible, but not at the hands of the usual suspects – and not without independent Congressmen watching out for our interests.”

Contact me at bpa_cinc@yahoo.com