ABOUT A WAR WITH DAESH

It is interesting how Daesh or ISIS or ISIL has presented a situation that brings together normal enemies because of a common threat, which makes the end game even more tenuous. Several things come to mind when looking at a group that believes they have the right to take over an area and impose their religion and a set of laws on everyone who is in their area of control with hopes to expand even further and farther.

1. Most everybody agrees they have to go. But that's more like just getting rid of the biggest bully on the playground and not the other ones.

2. Fully arming those who will actually fight is pretty much all the U.S. has if there are no American combat forces involved. And what might come afterward will be more to sort out and I doubt if it will come that readily.

3. Allies like Saudi Arabia who have funded lesser forms of terrorist movements as well as imposed a harsh and cruel form of religious and political control need to be confronted instead of pandered to.

4. How much more debt does the US incur? But this is not just in the cost of war but also in handing out foreign aid without getting anything in return.

5. The U.S. doesn't take care of its military personnel as it is. But the war machine gets everything it needs. If America sees itself as the world's policeman then maybe more than those who have already served need to have the opportunity.

6. It seems that war refugees are usually overlooked.  Humanitarian aid has to be a priority. But all refugees are not alike because of divisions and hatreds. 

7. I personally believe that the first consideration in divine judgment is how children are treated. It is the height of evil when you think you have a right to harm a child, especially if think you can do it in the name of God.

8. As in the last Iraq war, the first thing that comes to mind is quagmire. With all the political and religious elements involved, it can't help but be very messy for a long time.

9. Most every religion runs from the peaceful to the militant, including Buddhism to my surprise. It's good that many faithful Moslems are pushing back, but it if they want to communicate that better perhaps the language of war needs to be changed. I don't know for sure, but I don't think the hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers" is as popular as it used to be. ...But then again, maybe it is.

10. Behind all the politics and religion of Daesh, there simply lies a group that wants power and control at any cost. Pointing out the corruption of Western ways with promises of heaven on earth is lost to their simply wanting a land that can be totally controlled.

11. The chance of having to put boots on the ground is pretty good. But then is the U.S. going to maintain troop levels that are periodically involved in skirmishes for an indeterminate time as in Korea?

These are just one person's opinions, but I do hope the U.S. has eyes wide open and constantly checks its backside while it keeps in mind everything else that needs policing. I'm sure all the thanks and future support will be well worth it. 

BONUS PIC

  CREDITS: AP   

IT'S NEWS TO ME - Special Post

This is a special post of what's been in the news while I ignored my self-imposed deadlines. My news file had the usual religious and political saves, which, though interesting to me, might not be for others. I'll save those for my next flame war. These are a little more fun.

IT'S NEWS TO ME!

NO COMMENT NEEDED

SHOOTING NO LONGER NECESSARY

 A FAREWELL TO ARMS

NOW THEY'RE REALLY GONE TOO FAR!

BUT HE HAD A BIG SMILE ON HIS FACE

WHAT ARE ONE-LEGGED CYCLISTS FINED FOR?

WHAT PART OF NAKED DIDN'T YOU GET?

'SOBER AS A JUDGE' SHIRT STILL AT CLEANERS

APPARENTLY, FARFEL DIED FROM THIRST

I WONDER IF THE ANGELS DO AS WELL?

DEGREE IN LABEL READING NEEDED

MAINTAINING FAMILY VALUES

WHERE DO I ENLIST?

IT HAS A NICE IRON BAR FINISH

NOT A SIGN, IT'S THE REAL THING

YOU DID THE TURN, NOW TAKE THE BURN

THAT ...AND ALL THE EVIDENCE

FARMER CONSIDERS NASCAR CAREER

WHEN GOING TO CHURCH NO LONGER WORKS

WANTED TO SEE IF IT WAS DIFFERENT

APPARENTLY DIDN'T TRY WASHINGTON D. C.

 MILLIONS NOW DOUBTING

LOVE OF CROWS COULD BE TAKEN WRONG  

A CASE OF MUTUAL ADMIRATION?

I suspect they'll be plenty more items to save for the next regular post. It's one way that the world never disappoints me. But it's not just the news that casts people in a negative light. There are plenty of good things that people do. I can watch those emotional moment videos all afternoon and don't even get me started on puppies. But there still is the stuff that stands out, that is over the top or extra stupid. I've asked why but so far, I haven't found a satisfactory answer. So, I'll keep on searching. And when I find it, it will truly be news to me!

BONUS PIC

MOSCOW POLICE OFFICERS, BEFORE REGULATIONS LOWERED HEMLINES - DAMN YOU PUTIN!

CREDITS: HUFF POST KIRA BREKKE, SEBASTIAN MURDOCK, JACK MIRKINSON, ANTONIA BLUMBERG, DOMINIQUE MOSBERGEN, KATE SHEPPARD, BILL BRADLEY, IGOR BOBIC, ED MAZZA, SAM LEVINE, HILLARY HANSEN, CHARLOTTE ALFRED, SHADEE ASHTARI, KATHERINE FUNG, ANDRES JAUREQUI  AP, ART DAILY.ORG AFP, GETTY IMAGES, BIRKSHIRE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY, MINT PRESS NEWS, AND THOSE WHO MAKE LIFE SO TERRIBLY BIZARRE

SOMETHING FAMILIAR, SOMETHING PECULIAR

Well now, it's like the world doesn't know enough to take a summer vacation. Come this winter, I bet they're going to wish they had. At the moment, there's stiff competition for news coverage. Wars, rumors of war, pestilence, presidential vacations, shootings riots, trials, scandals, kidnappings, congressional vacations, rapes, assaults, killings, bribes, judicial vacations, violent religions, tax cheats, greedy bastards and military contractors (formerly housing contractors) fill the lazy, hazy days with turmoil.

Israel and Gaza are doing their usual dust up which will no doubt happen again. It's like they're on the MTA (smile if you get the reference). There's no hope of doing anything differently, especially when peace is never really considered.

Seems that everyone is surprised with the rise and success of ISIS. They are a good indication that the region is deeply troubled. Oddly, billboards have been going up throughout Iraq. I'm not sure if they'll help, but they do make a point.

There's a lot about this area that isn't taught in Sunday School or Seminary. There are more histories than what are recorded in the Bible. But even with an appreciation for what length and depth the slightest move might have, I still don't get it. What is the perceived gain?

WHY? WHY? WHY?

With Syria being Syria, and all the other major and minor "differences" from Iran to Egypt, one wonders what the out come might be. When we have all the promises and challenges of the future to deal with, why is so much of the world stuck in its destructive ways? Why are ancient divisions still at play? Why do absolutist political and religious ideologies believe that everyone should be like them? ...And why the hell didn't I get a job that had lots of vacation time?

I do think that sending troops into an area like this because all men really want to be free and live in a democracy is rather idealistic. Better I think to make every country that wants our young men and women to fight for them the next state in the union. Call me crazy, but it might work. Or it will at least make countries or movements really think hard before creating a situation in which we have to intercede. ...Except Russia of course.

A BIT OF KINDNESS

BS. For me, it stands for Blood Sugar before it does something else. So when someone says, "You're full of BS," I say, "Yes. It was very high this morning." Then by the look on their face, I realize they meant something else. But wouldn't a real BS detector be good to have? Like in the Bob McDonnell trial, at which they are using the Garden of Eden defense where it's all the woman's fault.  ...At least Pat Robertson tried to blame it on Obama.

SO, THIS IS ART?

I wasn't supportive of impeaching Obama until he wore that light, tan suit to the press conference the other day. This just shows how much thought goes into his choices. He might as well have been in his skivvies. Doesn't he know how much the mainstream is caught up in appearance rather than in content? But if he happened to be declaring war, I'd have no problem with him wearing a nice, bright red suit.  

HUMAN SPIRIT

I came across a Kurt Vonnegut quote the other day right when I needed the reminder. "Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate. Do not let bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place." It's hard to hold it all in balance, but in order to know the depth of your own soul, you try. That's why it's not easy being green.

BONUS PIC

CREDITS: VIDEO - NANA PALEY VIMEO, HUFFINGTON POST - ELEANOR GOLDBERG, THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN WEEKLY, ARTDAILY.ORG, GOOGLE IMAGES

I'VE LOOKED AT LIFE FROM BOTH SIDES NOW

Somewhere along the way, I was told that there was nothing worse than church politics. As I recall, it was said in a somewhat boastful way. I was never a player, not even sexually. I was told that I had an ideal concept of the church, that there was a future shock ahead of me, and that there were "ways" to get things done. Of course, there was even more to it all. I eventually realized (duh!) that church politics often reflected national politics, whether passively or actively. There was no denying it. And it wasn't just the camel's nose. Sides were chosen, positions were taken, opponents were maligned, divisions were deepened, salvation was questioned, true representatives were determined, faith was prescribed, and agendas were obvious. Needless to say, this wasn't what I had signed on for.

Since then, things have only worsened. The extremes have become the norm. Liberals and Conservatives,  both, no longer have any room, or tolerance, for moderates. And Jesus is a registered Republican or Democrat, as the situation warrants. Both parties apparently know What Jesus Would Do. But I think that might be harder than it's hoped to be.

The other day I was listening to a podcast that had two religious figures debating the recent child immigration situation. One of them quoted the usual "welcoming" verses from the Bible. The other said that they couldn't be used that way and then proceeded to quote "obeying authorities" verses which conveniently could be used that way. Oddly enough, congress debates in the same way, only there, it's the Constitution that is quoted.

WHY? WHY? WHY?

APPARENTLY EXCHANGING WEDDING VOWS. ONLY PROBLEM IS, WHAT DO THEY DO ON THEIR HONEYMOON?

Is there any difference between a Church lie and a Political lie? ...A Church hypocrisy and a Political hypocrisy? ...A Church sex scandal and a Political sex scandal? Probably so, but it's getting smaller all the time. The separation of church and state looks more like a couple teenagers in the backseat of a car. (I think I just dated myself.) Ironically, this seems to be an area that Liberals and Conservatives still agree on.

IT'S NEWS TO ME

APPARENTLY NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH THE IRS

 IT PAYS TO PRAY. WORLDWIDE PEACE WON'T BE BAD EITHER

 IT WOULD ONLY BE RIGHT

 MIX UPS HAPPEN ...AND HAPPEN ...AND HAPPEN

 

 NOT THE FACE! ...ANYTHING BUT THE FACE!

AS WELL AS IT SHOULD BE

PLAY THE GOD CARD ...IF YOU HAVE ONE

 GOOD PLAN ALREADY PAYING OFF

CHANCES ARE IT WAS WORTH IT

NORWEGIAN WOOD TASTES SO GOOD 

I HOPE IT'S IN TIME FOR MY TRIP

 EVEN MORE SO IN A BLACK AND WHITE WORLD

ALWAYS PROTECT YOUR BACKSIDE

BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE ALL THE CATHOLICS ARE GOING

There's plenty to consider in the theatrical productions of Liberals and Conservatives on Church and Congressional stages with their ever flickering and waving stars. The debates are numerous, heated and packaged, leaving listeners still in need of facts, common sense solutions and veracity. This struggle for power and control at all costs easily explains why no one group should have their way, especially if they represent an extreme agenda.

Both sides believe you are too stupid (they wouldn't say that out loud)  to decide for yourself. They believe you are easily influenced and can be manipulated. Both have an "I bet you're glad that we have all the answers" attitude which is promoted by radio pundits and waring cable news channels. Sure, I have an opinion, but I also have an asshole, even if I forget sometimes. We all get to believe what we want, but we all can't be right. The truth is out there. I suspect there will be a few surprises.

NOW THIS IS ART!

This must be saying that we're all made of the same thing; it's just that some have more layers than others. 

Unless you  are  completely  devoted  to one person's take, or have  just accepted  the boxed  package that was left on your doorstep, or get your  opinions  from  only   acceptable  sources.   You  likely  have  to  sort your  way through  all  the claims  and come  up with what you think is right for yourself. Hopefully, careful listening and  vigilante watching will  continue to pay off.  But I must  admit, the  process is painfully  slow  and lives  are  lost in  many  different ways.

From when I first began to question, it took a long time, a lot of thought and some serious drinking for me to come to a position of smug rightness. Granted I have not reached the level of self-righteousness superiority that Liberals and Conservative have, but I think I'll eventually get there. At best, I still can only share the journey. ...Stumbles and all.

BONUS PIC

CREDITS: ART DAILY, GETTY, HUFF POST-Paige Lavender, Ed Mazza, Igor Bobic, Yasmine Hafiz, Shadee Ashtari, Christina Wilkie, Ryran Glenoble, Michael McAuliff   AP - Stephen Ohlemacher  REUTERS,  ALCO