Christopher Columbus

Today the United States and Spain celebrate the landing of Columbus in the Caribbean and "discovering the New World".
At the time, for the Europeans, it was a true discovery. Being the arrogant individuals they were, they did not question how you discovered something "new" if there already people living there. Since the inhabitants were not European, did not have European culture and religion, they were inferior and whatever accomplishments they may have achieved had no bearing on world affairs.

Now most of us look at things differently.
History shows that several thousand years ago there was a massive migration from Asia, across the Bering Sea, into what would evidently be named the Americas. This migration was in epic proportions when you take into account those who came from Asia eventually settled two continents from their western to eastern boundaries, as well as from their northern to southern boundaries. If you look at the people we of European decent evidently came to call Indians, they evolved with a wide variety of characteristics as they adapted to a wide range of climates and living areas.
These Asians were the true discoverers of the "New World", but because they did not document their discoveries in any written form, they will never receive the credit they deserve.

Others from Europe came before Columbus - Leif Erikson for certain, and their are the legends of the Irish monk Brennan and the Welsh prince Madoc. Although they may have set foot on the American continent, they left no permanent settlement and that is why they do not get credit.

Regardless of how you feel about Columbus, many blame him personally for the diseases that ravaged many of the native American tribes, as well as the destruction and enslavement of many of these same tribes, the truth of the matter was that Columbus was just one, like the thousands who had come before him, seeking riches in new places.

The history of man is the story of migrations, of peoples not be being satisfied and wanting more.
Look at the history of the United States, there was no staying dormant in the original thirteen colonies, explorers and entrepreneurs headed west for new lands and fortune. Today the explorers of the future eye outer space and the depths of the oceans as the next places of that have not been seen or touch.

Columbus had a dream and did what was necessary to attempt to achieve that dream. Unfortunately for him he never did achieve what he had hoped for. The wealth of the Indies was never his. The truth of the matter was that he never became a wealthy man and none of his voyages to the "New World" allowed him to achieve what he considered to be his destiny.

However, his voyages greatly assisted in the empire building of several European nations and his actions caused events that are still felt to this day.

Love him or hate him, I believe that you have to respect a man who set off into the unknown, confident in his beliefs (that the world was round) and trusting that he would succeed.

So, the question is, should we celebrate Columbus Day as a national holiday, or should we reevaluate our history and maybe have a day to celebrate those long ago wanderers from Asia who settled two continents and gave us the basis for the lives we live today?

All parties should get equal credit for their parts in the exploration and advance of our land.

Its Common Sense.

Newsworthy Trivia and questions I have about the candidates

I saw an article that states that Rensselaer County in the state of New York sent out absentee ballots showing the presidential candidates as John McCain and Barack Osama. Now we all know that it was a typo, especially since the two men responsible are Democrats. But, it is funny and even though replacement ballots were mailed as soon as the error was discovered, you have to wonder, what, if any effect, it will have on the voters.

As this week of collapsing world wide stock markets, bailouts, deceit on the parts of companies and probably congress, the possible collapse of a country (Iceland) I thought I needed to lighten things up. We need to smile a little or we are going to cry.

So, I am asking you my readers to let me know the answers to the following questions because I have to admit that I have not done my homework in these areas.

The presidential and vice-presidential candidates - do they have pets and if yes, what do they have? I picture McCain with a German Shepherd, Palin with a Husky and some kind of yappy rug rat terrier, Obama with a Persian cat and Biden with a yellow Lab.

The same foursome - what do they do for fun? McCain has to be careful of anything strenuous, maybe he is a Bridge player. No doubt Palin is into hunting, snowmobiling and maybe dog sledding. Obama probably hits the hoops and plays chess. Biden looks like the local softball coach.

Finally, I wonder what their favorite foods are. I have no idea and do not care to venture a guess.

I know, these are all irrelevant questions that mean nothing and most people could care less. But after the past week we all just need to sit, relax and hopefully laugh about something. If you are like me you were shocked to learn what you had lost in your 401K during the past two weeks. The shock has worn off, adjustments have been made and life goes on.

Smile, hug your children, spouse and or significant other. Make someone laugh or at least smile. We have to take care of ourselves and each other, because its evident our government doesn't care.

Have a great weekend!!

Its Common sense.

South America

Recently I wrote about my fears about China. Today I want to talk about our neighbors in South America. Prime Minister (read this DICTATOR) Putin of Russia granted Hugo Chavez, Venezuela's mad as a hatter president, one billion dollars in credit to purchase Russian weapons.

Evo Morales, president of Bolivia went off the wall last week when the American ambassador met with the prime opposition leader in La Paz. My sister, who was in Bolivia on a project for Virginia Tech, had to find new air transportation home because American Airlines was banned from Bolivia's air space.

These two stunning symbols of South American socialism (communism?) met today in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil with two other South American socialists, Rafael Correa, president of Ecuador and Luiz Inacio Lula de Sila (know simply as Lula to the people) president of Brazil. The meeting was in part to finalize the plans to build a highway from Quito, Ecuador to Manaus, Brazil. A few days ago, Chavez and Lula agreed to authorize loans to Bolivia to improve their Amazonian highway system.

Another reason for the meeting is that Chavez wants Lula to join him in building a continental gas and oil pipeline that would run from Venezuela to Argentina. With the recent discovery of two large oil fields in Brazilian territory, Chavez wants the Brazil as an ally.

Lula, however, is taking his time with a decision. No doubt he is concerned with the idea of any major project with the Venezuelan president, who is not noted for an easy going disposition. How all of this will play out is any one's guess and we will need to keep an eye on things.

Most Americans have the attitude that anyone south of the USA border is lazy, stupid, uninspired and no threat. Unfortunately, our history shows many instances of our butting into the national affairs of various countries in Central and South America (remember Allende in Chile. The CIA thought he was a communist, assisted with a military coop and Chile suffered for almost thirty years under the brutal dictatorship of General Pinochet. Way to go CIA.) The people of South America, just like anywhere else, have long memories. (The Bolivians remember that it was American Green Berets who "advised" the Bolivian Army during the hunt for Ernesto "Che" Guevara.)

Anyway the folks south of the border have no reason to love us. Now it appears their time is coming. Thanks to oil revenues the standard of living is on the rise, especially in Brazil. The middle class is coming into its own and business is booming. Trade is important and Lula has decided to trade with his neighbors. Although a capitalist in some ways, Lula is a socialist at heart and I feel that he is going all he can to bring Morales and Correa into his orbit. For the time being he is keeping Chavez at an arm's length, which I think is a good idea.

Bottom line, what we used to consider the Third World of Latin American, is slowly but surely coming into its own. Brazil and Venezuela have the potential to become super powers with in the next twenty years if they manager the profits from their oil revenues carefully.

We need to reevaluate our national strategy with South America. Brazil is an ally we need to keep. We need to help Lula keep Morales and Correa away from Chavez.


Complaining about the destruction of the rain forest doesn't cut it. If we do not want the countries of the Amazon basin to open up the forests for farming and mining, then we have to provide alternative forms of employment for those currently at work with the deforestation. It is hard for the Brazilians, Peruvians, Bolivians, and the rest listen to our cries, when they can see the destruction we caused to our forests.

We need to become allies and trading partners with as many nations in South America as possible. We need to start treating them as equals, not inferiors.

Allies are always valuable. Enemies, well we have enough already.

Its common Sense