Category: Politics

Thanks to President Bush and his team the term “Islamic fascists” is now well known and widely quoted in the media. Its a follow up, I guess to the earlier, Axis of Evil“.

Senator Feingold’s view that the term Islamic fascists does not help combat terrorism is on target. His opponents might claim that his views are politically motivated, but in the case I think he deserves the benefit of the doubt. The term at some level just antagonizes and isolates an entire community at some level. A large number of the terrorists might be Muslim, that doesn’t make all Muslims terrorists. Besides why drag the religion into it? One could argue that fascists of this kind exist at the extreme of most religious groups. Such rhetoric is unlikely to achieve any positives. In fact, it is likely to make even the moderate Muslim uncomfortable and upset, and make the world more divided, and less safe.

The 50th anniversary of Fremont was held at Elizabeth Lake in Fremont. It was a grand event no doubt. Considering that Fremont is in the silicon valley and home to several high tech companies it was surprising to see no corporate sponsors. Given that the companies are competing to provide free wireless access and the like it was strange that no major tech companies appear to have sponsored the celebrations.

Anyone who does not support the war is now an Al Qaeda candidate! This is outright ridiculous. Check out this recent clip from CNN. Ned Lamont has just pulled off a big win. Give the guy a break!

Senator Joe Lieberman must call it quits. He failed as the VP candidate. He has been in Senate forever. He has been a strong supporter for the Bush administrations failed policy in Iraq. Finally, he has lost the support of his party. I’d think its time for him to move on and come to terms with the changing times rather than have a go as an independent. His independent run could cost the Dems a Senate seat. Its also ironical that an individual who was chosen to be the VP candidate clearly puts his self-interest ahead of that of his party.

Very interesting article in today Mercury News. The author is a mathematics educator and chairman of the board of Jewish Voice for Peace

Man, the heat is unbelievable. Just look at the reports about heat related deaths in the US.

Can’t take the heat? Vote Al Gore for President! Maybe its time to bring in the environmental President. Gore has promised not to smirk at his opponent in the debates and promised to kiss his wife for a shorter duration at the next Demo convention. Would you vote for him then?

The crisis in the Middle East is getting worse by the day. Unfortunately, President Bush appears to think that asking Syria to stop “this sh..” will take care of the problem. So he has done little to ensure a ceasefire. G8, UN, none of these organizations are able to intervene to the extent of at least ensuring an immediate stop to the violence and killing of innocent people. Its an appalling state of affairs. It sounds like the US is waiting for Israel to beat the “crap” out of Lebanon before they intervene. Israeli justification being “Hey, they are throwing rockets at us and have kidnapped our folks, so what do you expect us to do?” (Its hard to argue with a nation surrounded by enemies. Its only natural that they press the panic button). So the US waiting game continues while innocent people get killed in Lebanon. Instead of preventing the extremist Islamic forces from around the world over gathering under Ahmedinijad’s call to “destroy Israel from the map of the world”, the current approach of the US is only going to hasten the coming together of the extremists elements. Al-Qaida, Hezbollah, Hamas, LeT, LeQ …the list just keeps growing.

The current approach of the leading nations of the world is only going to strengthen the hold of Hezbollah in Lebanon, similar to the rise of Hamas in Palestine. If Israel thinks that the Lebanese are going to turn against Hezbollah because of this conflict, they are mistaken. The Islamic countries involved in the Middle East need to step away from the “destroy Israel” mind-set. It hasn’t worked and it’s unlikely the US is ever going to let it happen. The US for its part needs to badly reach out to the Muslim world instead of continuing to appear as a blatant Israel backer. There are no easy solutions but there is definitely a need to re-think on both sides and on the part of the US. Easier said than done, but better to attempt a solution than to let the crisis continue to linger after over five decades of Arab-Israeli conflicts.

The shock of the Bombay blasts have barely set in and the Middle East has erupted! If the US does not intervene immediately, the situation could easily get out of hand.

This is a great opportunity for President Bush to reach out to the Arab world by pressing Israel to go easy. Another tough call for the President.