Let the Facts Clear the Fallacies....

Listening to Romney and the likes criticizing Obama's foreign policy approach is baffling. For anyone who has followed world events and America's response in the last couple years can say that there has been plenty accomplished since George Jr. left the Oval Office in 2009. Here are just a few that come to mind:

-Improvement and in some cases creation of Arab League relations during the Middle East civil unrest movements including the Libyan civil crisis. Through constructive and pragmatic dialogue, President Obama and his foreign diplomacy team were able to protect 'humanitarian rights' (or oil-rich political interest) in Libya until the fall of Ghaddafi - leading to a relatively short climactic shift of power in the region and one without notable US military involvement.

- An upfront, brutally honest relationship with Pakistan which has led to a step-child but child nonetheless, kind of relationship in which truth is expected, conveyed and evaluated openly. For the first time in eight years, US has formally acknowledged instability in Pakistan and its vulnerability to fall prey to terrorist organizations.

-Transformed Egyptian leadership without long term goals to be present in the region

-A stern and solid yet relatively calm approach with Iran which has led to diplomatic restlessness within the Iranian regime now cracking under sanctions. Hostility between Israel and Iran continues to rise though, which means a detoured approach will now be demanded.

-Renewed relations in Asia with China, India, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan including hosting the VP of China, Xi Jinping in the US. This trip was strategically planned to collaborate expectations from American/Chinese leadership as well as the importance of fairness in the global marketplace when he takes over as the leader in the PRC in the next couple years.

-Ended the war in Iraq as and when promised during his election campaign.

Just the regions I mentioned above account for more than half of the world's population..I think that's a modestly aggressive approach to foreign policy for a 3 year old president. Just saying.

Get 'em CPS..

Debate has been raging in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) between parents, teachers and the school organization on length of school days. CPS argues that their school district lags behind nationally in their instructional time and given consistent poor performances by students is adding to the list of reasons why this is a good idea. So what is the debate about?

Parents, teachers and students each have their own set of concerns about this. Parents complain that their kids are too tired, along with students who say that they are 'swamped' and 'tired' already with the amount of work they currently have. Teachers are puzzled on how to accommodate another 40 minutes of lesson planning.

But the issue is a lot bigger than what appears. It is ridiculous for parents or students to complain about the amount of work in any American high school, let alone ones in an under-performing school district. Granted that quality and not quantity of education is what we should be concerned about, but this is an effort to fix something that is broken by the school district and the gesture should be welcomed and supported.

An average high school student has plenty of options to engage in co and extra-curricular activities. Some of these activities are time consuming and tiring, leaving them little to no time for academics. Between athletics, music, drama, speech and other dozens of extra-curricular options available, a student can't be blamed for not wanting to do geometry practice. With both parents working, going home isn't necessarily a much better option - given socially polluting television shows that are often used as soothers. Aren't we better off having these kids be in school another hour every day either engaging in their activities of choice or spending more time on academics?

Whether or not to add the extra time to each day is a senseless debate. How to spend the extra 40 minutes is a legitimate one. Perhaps these schools need to take a look at their after-school offerings and incorporate them in the school day or use this time as extra prep time for college exams, advanced classes, or adding a basic course in Finance 101. I'm not talking about stock market analysis or financial portfolio management. How many 17 year olds know what it means to have a credit card, not pay your bill on time or at all, the consequences of accumulating a debt and paying higher interest rates in turn ruining your credit score? I think the safe assumption would be less than 20%. Why don't we invest in common sense courses so we can strive for smarter civilians?

I hope the city school district wins this one.

Shamefully Shirking Santorum...

All this talk about American values and dreams in the GOP race is very resonating. Almost every candidate works out his vocal cords every speech, or town hall meeting on the importance of restoring or believing in America or fighting for America.

But yet, what is America?

Isn't it the land of the free where liberty takes precedence over race or religion. Shouldn't this country stand for diversity, equality and honesty? Of course. That will be the politically correct answer. Sadly, it is not the honest answer.

An old misinformed woman in a Florida town hall said this about not referring President Obama as the President:

“I don't refer President Obama as president because, legally, he is not.He is an avowed Muslim. And my question is: why isn’t something being done to get him out of our government? He has no legal right to be calling himself President."

Of course, there was ignorant applauding in the crowd. But there was a smirk of agreement from Mr. Santorum. Knowing fully well that the President is not an 'avowed' Muslim, or that he did actually win the election which would 'legally' make him the President, and that even if he was a Muslim, 'avowed' I might add, does not deem him ineligible to be President!

Yet, Mr. Santorum chose to cowardly oblige this ignorant remark. Representing American values and the idea of 'justice for all', he responded to his indifference in this incident as not feeling the need to correct an old angry woman. He considered it not his responsibility. What a cheap shot.

Why do people allow others to breed and promote ignorance? Shame on you Santorum, for that un-American indifference and shirk of responsibility.

My Motto: Is it A Truthful America, Are You??

It's been a quiet few months..due to personal changes..

It doesn't change the fact that I am too embarrassed to speak on behalf of the American people. I am embarrassed that the President of this country is an honest man yet happens to be Black and does not get credited for the perfect leader that he is. I am embarrassed that he is a nontraditional man that is not successful in breaking the traditional stereotype and being the perfect leader. I am embarrassed that our country expects the first non-white yet only 40 year old experienced and expected leader to perfect leadership qualities. Are the American people so stupid that they can't speak on behalf of intelligence? We fall prey to manipulative media and faltered facts...We fall prey to mainstream acceptability of manipulated facts...We are slaves to what is told is real, unrealistic of truthful dogma. We are falling for the Gingrich's for the nation and the Romney's of financial realities. Let's get real.

Gingrich paid 1 million DOLLARS in taxes last year.
Romney paid only 15% of taxes on his 8 million dollar income last year. Yet, they scream about equality of success. Is success every equal? Are we ever asked how successful we are based on our income? We pay taxes on what we earn, not on what we make or how we earn it.

These are the people that almost 50% of America trust as Republican leaders. There is a serious disconnect in our idea of a leader and someone who can relate to US. There is no US when it comes to leadership in America. Leadership means DOLLARS, that is what pays these people to SERVE us.

Once again, we have the opportunity to make a change.. A change between pathetic and being most pathetic is a difficult yet easy choice.. I would rather pick someone who is honest with modest beginnings than someone who is shady and hard to track. I hope the best man wins. In this case, it will be months of tracking and investigating. I am willing to serve my time.
Are you??

Logical Protest, Radical Means!

There is so much happening in the world right now. Liberation marches to wars to financial gridlock to Apple iPhone5 release! The march by Wall Street protesters for the past week has been a pretty interesting one to watch. The cause is simple and resonating. Elimination of corporate influence from politics. Good idea, nearly impossible to accomplish. But unless average citizens voice their opinions, there will be no attention directed that way actively anyway.
I was on board with the whole Wall Street protesting agenda until I read the latest on this story. Protesters are dressing up as zombies and eating monopoly money to create a 'metaphorical impact'. Creative, but not effective.
When trying to make a point in the mass public, extreme gestures of anguish such as this can be perceived as ridiculous and lacking judgement. I am on board with the humorous-literal-ironic symbolism in this case, but most people won't be. Especially people who are trying to discredit this protest. They will use this gesture to their advantage as a sign of lacking proper agenda and common sense.
I hope the protesters regroup and rethink their strategy. Persistence is a great thing in this instance, but radical behavior might not have the desired consequences..

No more 'democracy' projects, please!

Middle East unrest is a never-ending drama, this has been realized. But the Libyan rebellion is a historic moment, no doubt. After tolerating 42 years of Gadafi's authoritarian and suppressing dictatorship, the people of Libya are ready for a change. Great. Before complete transition of power, however, there will be a period of chaos. This is what the western world needs to realize - capitalistic, money-hungry-contracting corporations veiling under interim western governments in this situation will not assure a smooth transition. I think we can look back not too far in history to get evidence for that.
President Obama has played a pretty neutral/NATO led role so far. He has not invested huge amounts of troops, money, or resources yet. However, listening to concerns from members of Congress and Senate it appears that US wants to get more involved. If America gets its hands dirty in yet another country's transitional period with the excuse of providing 'stability', the world will not buy the reason this time. Sure, democracy is a beautiful thing. But it doesn't work everywhere, and it certainly doesn't work the first time around. After four decades of a no-brainer government, Libyans will need some time to sort out their issues and take a unified stand. To control Libya by labeling the current chaos unstable is premature.
The Rebels, backed by NATO with weapons and moral support, are angry and aggressive at the moment. They have finally reached Tripoli after six months and raided Gadafi's compound. They are violent and hungry for change. But this excitement is seen as acts of terror by American experts. NPR reported a story where a Congressman was voicing his concerns about the Rebels and how the US must provide support. I think this is brutally unfair. First we give them ammo for rage, provide them with support and help on the ground, promote their reasons for rebellion, and when they finally succeed, we criticize their methods and question their efforts. There is nothing wrong with NATO nations providing humanitarian and civil support, but proactively getting involved in their unstable politics and key decisions as a method to invest in the country would be cold and calculative.
Americans are well known for their two sided politics and hypocritical foreign policy, but hopefully this time America handles its own domestic issues before taking up another 'democracy' project.

The World Likes Drama...

Phew. It's been a quiet month for this blog, but there is so much craziness happening in the world right now. It seems that chaotic winds are springing in all directions from east to the west. Uprisings, change, dissatisfaction. These words are blatantly omnipresent in current political happenings across the globe. Aside from the 'democratic uprisings' happening in Libya and Syria, England and India are protesting in their historical ways. After an unfair encounter in a racially divided neighborhood involving the police, London mobs went nuts. Vandalism and public violence took over the streets in London. Criminology and psychological experts explained that violence is a part of English history and heritage. The typical mob mentality that springs from a valid idea quickly turns to illogical and blind following by an angry crowd. It was recently reported on NPR that the two people that promoted these riots in London on facebook have been sentenced 4 years in jail while a minor was banned from social networking sites for a year and 3 months house arrest. Additionally, it was reported that of the thousands of protesters that were in the streets of London the last few days are being punished in harsher ways than typically allowed by law. Judges are ordering cancelling of public benefits and stripping welfare from family members of protesters.
While one government is using strict sentencing to prevent civil violence, another had to let someone free to somewhat control the general population. Social activist in India, Anna Hazare, has appealed to major vertical chunks of the Indian population and is resorting to non-violent Gandhian protesting against corruption. After being taken to one of India's most notorious jail, Tihar Jail, he was finally set free last week on demand by the Indian people. This movement, going on for over 8 weeks now, is at it's peak and can be a revolutionary change in Indian history. Given India's strong economic growth over the past decade, their huge potential for a consumer driven market, and less than 35% dependence on exports for generating a competitive GDP only has corruption standing in its way to prosperity. However this deep rooted disease that takes over basic tasks and everyday chores has been deserving attention for decades. Corrupt and influential politicians have to finally bow down to what the world's largest democracy is asking for. A week long fast by Mr. Hazare is raising concerns and ticking down the clock to a time when public service owed is being demanded by the Indian people. People are protesting all across the globe including New Zealand, New York and London. About time Indians stood united for something positive.
Being back in America has its joys, but the self centered and crisis-obsessed news channels are creating limitations for the American populace. Unemployement, debt, inflation, oil prices - huge domestic issues in America right now, but to some extent it can make us feel better that everyone is experiencing some sort of chaos. No matter where you are, there is a situation that is on the edge of getting out of hand - into who's hands, is a matter to wait and watch.