Iraq Withdrawal

This coming Tuesday US troops will begin withdrawing from major Iraq cities, turning over protection duties to the Iraq security forces. Evidently there are mixed feeling on both sides.

The positive group is saying the Iraq troops are more than capable of assuming the responsibility of protecting their country. They want the Allied forces out of their country as soon as possible, so they can show the world they can control their own destiny.

Then there are those who fear, based on the recent increase of car bombing and other violence, that the withdrawal of the Allied forces will only bring Iraq that much closer to a civil war.

I was never in favor of this war, right from the beginning. Part of the reason is that I am a member of the Viet Nam generation and I still see the images of people on top of the US embassy waiting for the helicopters to come and take them to safety, while the Vietnamese who had been our allies, stood barred at the embassy gate, hoping for salvation but knowing their fate was in the hands of the victors from Hanoi.

I do not think we will see American on the roof of the USA embassy in Baghdad. However, we will probably see a stream of Iraqis coming to the embassy looking for visas to get them out of Iraq.

For all of the rhetoric, I still see a civil war looming in Iraq's near future. I truly believe that the Kurds will take advantage of the confusion to try once again to form an independent country.
The Sunnis and Shiites have always just tolerated each other, and with interested parties wanting to preach their own agenda, both sides will receive outside support from those wanting to turn Iraq into the next Islamic theocracy.

The important thing, as all this unfolds, is to make sure no more American lives are lost in a war that never should have happened. It is time to concentrate on the only war we should have been involved in, Afghanistan. Maybe now, with all of our efforts devoted there, something positive, effective and final can be accomplished.

Its Common Sense!

Does it always come in threes?

This past week saw the deaths of three very different individuals who whether they wanted to or not influenced most our lives.

Those of my generation will always have fond memories of "Here's Johnny!", a blond bombshell playing detective, and later going on to stand up for women's rights, and finally a very talented black performer who changed the way the world would watch music videos and see music altogether.

All three should be remembered for the smiles, joy and hope they brought. The side issues and controversies are in the past. There will always be "Doubt" but what is important is the good they did and the inspiration they brought to at least two generations.

I lift my Yuengling Black & Tan to Farrah, Ed & Michael and wish them peace everlasting, and the hope that they were all comfortably settled in Heaven before the Devil knew they were dead!

Thanks!
Rest in Peace!

Iran - How should the USA respond?

The last week has shown some amazing images come out of Iran, those that escaped the censors. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, is suddenly a very public figure to the entire world. For most of the us the Supreme Leader was always someone in the shadows, the great spiritual leader, whose goal is supposedly to bring his country closer to God.

This past week shows that not only has he not been successful, but that he may be forcing his countrymen to take sides in what could turn out to be a civil war. For thirty years the Ayatollahs have ruled from behind closed doors, making all the major decisions and having a figure head to be their public voice. That has now changed. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei came forth and told the people not only were they not to question the election results, but that they were not to protest, they were not to question and they were not to have their own thoughts.

What century is this man living in?

Those who are protesting are the intelligentsia of Iran. Students, the middle class, those who know what is going on in the world. These are people seeking a true democracy and all that comes with it.

Iran has suffered since the mid-50's when the CIA help the Shah take power, when they had no rights, and then after the '79 revolution they have suffered at the hands of extremists clerics.

The Iran people want their freedom and I hope they get it. But, it is important that they get it on their own. No help, especially from Western nations who will call in the debt. I may not agree with President Obama on many things, but I think he is right on course on this issue.

The USA can comment that the election looked rigged, hell that's obvious. But it is the people of Iran who have to fight to get their freedom. For too long they have been held down by one form of tyranny or another. Its up to them to raise the cry of freedom and make it their reality.

Its Common Sense!

What's North Korea's Plan?

What is Kim Jong-II of North Korea up to? Why all the missile tests? Why the nuclear talk?

Does he want to test the new American president? Does he want to give the world the impression he's crazy? ( an impression that is succeeding). Does he want the world to fear him and see him as a world leader of importance?

Or have some of his advisers convinced him that a show of force and belligerence will bring out the powerful world nations looking to calm him down. Countries that will offer food, clothing, technology - the necessities of life that his people so desperately need - if he will back off the war rhetoric.

Let's face it. The missile tests have not been a sweeping success in any one's mind. However, if the nuclear power plant is as shaky as the missiles, then we all could be in for a lot of trouble.

China and Russia sent delegations to placate Kim, and for all the tough talk I'm sure the Obama administration will send aide, as long as the USA keeps face. (After all, we did enough butt kissing when Clinton and Gethner were in China last month.)

I think that there are members of Kim's inner circle who are gaining influence and are going to attempt to strengthen their country, by strengthening their people. People who are not hungry are receptive to change and new ideas. With the right leadership, North Korea can end up being a rival to South Korea and China in the manufacturing of inexpensive (cheap) items.

North Korea needs to be watched carefully over the next several months. Change there could happen much quieter than it appears to be happening in Iran, but it just could happen.

Let's hope that finally, some sensible minds are moving into positions of authority in North Korea.

Its Common Sense!

What's the truth in Iran?

Who is the real victor of Iran's presidential election? Is President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad lying when he says that he beat Mir Hossein Mousavi?

You tell me. Something like thirty-eight million votes needed to be counted by hand, and yet that was accomplished in somewhere between six to eight hours. Amazing!!. No hanging chads, no questionable handwriting.

I would like to know who actually counted the ballots and that fast, because my understanding is that none of the process was computerized. That means people keeping a hand tally of votes and then all areas reporting to the central balloting office with the results.

Now I know that some of you will think I am cynical of Iran's Democratic practices, but you have to admit that even Superman would have trouble counting that many votes that quickly.

Of course the sad truth of the matter is that the clerics who actually run Iran - after all Iran is a theocracy, not a democracy- feel they have more power and influence over of Ahmadinejad than they ever would have over Mir Hossein Mousavi.

Logic told us the outcome even before the election took place. The question is, why did Iran even bother? Is there more resistance in Iran than we initially thought? Are things boiling up? Is there a possibility of a civil war taking place in Iran in the near future?

I don't know. I need to know more. Which way is the Revolutionary Guard leaning? Do the mullahs really have the power they think they have?

A lot of questions with no answers. However, trying to get those answers should be interesting, and the situation in Iran could bring on yet another new dimension to the troubles going on the Middle East.

For the time being we will have to sit back, watch, and hope that we (the USA) remain neutral observers and don't get sucked into the middle of it.

Its Common Sense!

Senator Cardin on guns in National Parks

Senate Cardin finally responded to letter regarding the amendment in the Consumer Bill that allows carrying firearms in National Parks. Take a look. I still don't know how he voted? Can you tell?

Dear Friend:

Thank you for writing to me regarding your opposition to Senate Amendment 3967; regarding guns in National Parks that Senator Coburn's recently proposed the "National Forests, Parks, Public Land, and Reclamation Project Authorization Act of 2007."

Current Federal law permits individuals to transport firearms through national parks as long as the weapons are temporarily inoperable and are stored away. The amendment alters current law by allowing people to openly carry loaded and uncased weapons into national parks.

I do not believe that the current federal law violates the Second Amendment. I am aware that the Association of National Park Rangers, the U.S. Park Rangers Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, and the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees have all opposed this amendment, fearful that the amendment will serve to diminish the safety of park visitors and natural resources.

Thank you again for bringing this matter to my attention. Please feel free to contact me in the future if I can be of any further assistance.

Please visit my website at http://cardin.senate.gov to sign up for my e-newsletter.