Chaotic as Usual

I grew up during the Cold War. There were times when I nearly held my breath, waiting to see if the world would erupt into nuclear warfare, ending life as I knew it.

But the U.S.S.R. fell and the Cold War ended. For a few years, I could breathe again. There was no hidden enemy, waiting to incinerate me and my family. The president was not holding his finger on the button.

Then came 9/11. Nothing has been the same since. The tension of those early days are gone. But the fear remains.

Fear comes in many different forms. Of course, there was the fear of another attack. A few hours after the attack, as Muslims were being blamed nationwide, I formed a fear of personal attack against myself, or any other woman wearing a head scarf.

Since the invasion of Iraq, I have most feared my own government. Wiretaps abound. Rights are declining. And the talk of war continues daily. Two wars aren't enough. More are necessary to bring freedom and peace to the world, whether they like it or not.

The news these days is about the newest American casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan, another terrorist attack, another group of swarthy foreign men arrested--along with an occasional American who has given up his identity to join the cause.

Nothing to worry about. It's just life as usual in the U.S.A.

Make some noise!

There are days when I feel like I'm living in a void.

I know the White House is lying, but the news media cheerfully upholds the latest edict.

I know innocent civilians are dying, but all we hear is celebrity gossip.

It makes me feel like crying.

And then there's this blog. I (almost always) faithfully post my comments here, Monday through Thursday. But I don't know if anyone is out there. If so, can you let me know?

We have many ways of communicating, but--and I know I'm not the first to say this--the void continues to grow.

A House Divided. . .Is Easily Conquered

Cheney delivered a strong warning to Pakistan today. They must be tougher on "terrorism."

Musharraf, the Pakistani president and recipient of the rebuke, was understably upset. He is in a difficult position. Having gained his leadership through force, not democracy, he has walked a thin line between trying to please the White House, which has bolstered Musharraf's position of power, while appeasing the Muslim population of his country and avoiding a coup. Frankly, I'm surprised he has managed to stay in power this long.

But the vice-president is threatening to upset this delicate balance. The U.S. insists upon complete allegiance from its allies--especially when it comes to controlling the Muslim masses. Egypt's Mubarak is another American ally. Ask the average Egyptian if he has freedom of speech.

The agenda of American foreign policy is to divide and conquer. Dictate to the dictator who will use force to suppress resistance. Marginalize the Muslims.

But this policy is in danger in Pakistan. And Cheney may discover that he pushed too hard.

Another flashpoint

There are many places where war, or more war, is simply a step--a single mistake--away. One is the Persian Gulf.

Another is Jerusalem. Tomorrow--today--is Friday. Will Israeli troops bar worshipers from Masjid Al-Aqsa? Will the worshipers become angry and become engaged in another battle of rocks vs. bullets? And what is the Israeli government allowing to be done to the structure? Will it all collapse one day? And if it does, will the Muslim world rise up?

Jerusalem has been a holy city for centuries. After the creation of Israel, it was designated as an international city where all three Abrahamic faiths could worship without difficulty. That sounded nice on paper, but it isn't working.

Masjid Al-Aqsa has a special place in the hearts of Muslims worldwide. It is the third of three holy places, the first two being in Makkah and Madinah. Salahuddin liberated Jerusalem from the Crusaders. I've heard many Muslims ask when the next Salahuddin will come. Some give their sons that name. And some sons hope to be the one to free the holy city.

Cooperation would have been nice, if it had worked. It's too late for that now. The conflict will eventually explode. The only question is, When?

Peace has always been elusive, but it is ever more so these days.

Peer pressure

I am usually a non-conformist. I march to the beat of a different drummer. I never had trouble with peer pressure because I always followed my own path.

But even a lifelong non-conformist like me knows when it's time to stop being stubborn and realize your friends may be right.

So, George, take the hint. Your friends are abandoning the coalition. Isn't it time to reassess your resolve?

Forget about religion and politics. What about Social Security?

Muslims don't believe in the separation of "church" and state. The ideal Islamic state would include religion precepts as an integral part of it's operations.

But we don't live in an Islamic state. We live in the United States. This country was founded strictly on the basis of separation, and I don't believe it could function any other way. Yet, people try.

The issue of the day is that Mitt Romney is a Mormon. I lived in Massachusetts for a year while Mitt Romney was governor and, while he did leave behind some major accomplishments, I would not vote for him for president. But it has nothing to do with his religion.

Hillary Clinton is a woman. Do you know how many other countries have had women leaders? Yet, in the U.S., the land of freedom, it's an issue.

Barack Obama is black. South Africa, which had such a bad record of racial apartheid that it was internationally boycotted, has had a black president. But in the U.S., the land where all men are created equal, it's a problem.

And Mitt Romney is a Mormon. So what? John Kennedy was a Catholic and people made an issue of that, but he was probably the best president of the twentieth century--and far superior to what we have in the twenty-first.

It's the economy, stupid. And health care. And the wars. And American foreign policy. And the environment. The list goes on.

Why do Americans allow ourselves to be distracted by non-issues? We need to remember that that's how we ended up with the mess we have today.

It's coming!

Over the weekend, I received two orders for copies of Turbulence. The manuscript is heading for the printer. Two more weeks.

Turbulence is different. Edgier. The narrator isn't Joshua this time, but his oldest brother, Brad. Joshua is easy-going. Brad is intense. Joshua is open and friendly. Brad has many secrets--some of which even he isn't aware.

But I would never forget Joshua. He's still a key character in Turbulence. And he's still the same. In Turbulence, though, the reader sees Joshua, and everyone else, through Brad's eyes.

I won't say anything more. Except that I consider Turbulence to be my best work yet. But I'll let you, my reader, be the judge of that.

Inching toward war

We all know George Bush is too unpopular to initiate war with Iran. He got by with it once, loudly proclaiming the threats posed by Saddam's non-existent weapons of mass destruction. But the majority of Americans won't be fooled again, and there's no Colin Powell to give a 90-minute presentation of lies and half-truths (and I know Powell regrets that presentation).

So what's a president to do but provoke Iran into war? Two cross border attacks in Iran last week are said to have the earmarks of American involvement. U.S. warships are in the Persian Gulf. An Iranian diplomat has been seized in Baghdad. How much can Ahmedinejad take before he retaliates?

Fortunately, Ahmedinejad is much more intelligent than Bush, and he understands what's at stake. But how much will he tolerate?

Apocalyptic freaks pray for a world war, but the rest of us are scared--or should be. An attack on Iran will drag Russia, and possibly China, into the fray. And Iran, which has not been weakened by thirteen years of sanctions, is much stronger than Iraq was. Even at that, no rational person can say the U.S. is winning in Baghdad.

George Bush is on a holy mission. Control oil and wipe out Islam. Neither of these goals is feasible. But he is determined to continue on his path of destruction.

We all need to pray that he does not drag all of us along with him.

That's why I write

This evening I received an email from a 14-year old girl who read my book, Rebounding, and loved it. She said the story helped her appreciate Islam.

And that makes it all worthwhile.

Age of Aquarius

As I write, I'm listening to a Beatle's CD I bought yesterday. All the memories. Like when I was eight and I couldn't understand why someone would write a song called "I Want to Hold Your Hand." (How times have changed!)

The 60s and early 70s were full of turbulence, but they were also times of tremendous hope. The hope is gone now, replaced by fear. Fear of others, and of all the dangers of the world--which we are reminded of daily on the evening news.

I too long for "Yesterday." When people could feel groovy without consulting a therapist or taking a pill. When Americans believed in peace and successfully struggled to curb institutional racism, bring the troops home from Vietnam, and force the resignations of the president and vice-president, both of whom were corrupt.

In the words of one of many favorite songs (not from the Beatles), Baby, let your hair hang down. Don't sit around wringing your hands and bemoaning the state of this country. Do something.

We need a renewal. Another Age of Aquarius.

Weary and Majorly Disgusted

I was at home today while the Decider's press conference was being held. I intentionally avoided it. I'm trying to reduce the amount of stress in my life.

Iraq has weapons, right? That's why the U.S. had to invade. Only now we know the weapons are actually being provided by Iran. How do we know this? That information is classified.
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I pray daily for the end of military aggression. An attack on Iran will mean the end of stability throughout the world. I know fundamentalist Christians want this, but I think we outnumber them.

Only a few people want another war. That's all you need these days. Majority rule? What's that?

I'm tired of war. I'm sick and tired. I want to go back to the summer of 2000 and put all my being into getting Al Gore into the White House. It would be a landslide even the Republican party and the courts couldn't steal. If we only knew. . .

The first casualty of war. . .

Propaganda flies daily from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. These days, the message is this. Iran is dangerous. They must be stopped. All they'll understand is force. War may be necessary.

But it's not that blatant. These days, the White House is working to building suspicion of Iranian activity in Iraq. The latest is that Sadr, the Iraqi religious leader, traveled to Iraq a few weeks ago. One can only guess his nefarious intentions. Iraqis deny the entire story. But the White House persists. Just as it insisted on the story of the shell, which was said to have been made in Iran. This, even though the writing on the shell was in English.

It's a time-honored tradition. Remember the Spain. Join the fight against Kaiser Wilhelm. Defeat the Japs. Contain communism. Prevent the spread of terrorism.

Muhammad said it first. "War is deceit." I dare anyone to prove that statement wrong. No matter how many die in war, civilians and military combined, the first casualty is truth.

Premature Judgment

Why is the prime minister of Australia concerned about the anti-war stance of a U.S. presidential candidate when the election is nearly 21 months away?

There's always an underlying motive. What now?

Anna who?

It seems like a very important person died today. She must have been important, maybe even crucial to the development of mankind. Her death was reported and discussed for hours on the cable news networks.

And before that it was the astronaut, along with all the jokes accompanying her behavior.

Does anyone know about Africom? The Bush plan for military action in Africa for the purpose of securing natural resources. Africa is a very rich continent, and starvation wouldn't be a problem if only the resources were used for the people. But they're not. Now the White House is joining the Scramble.

Is anyone paying attention to the Persian Gulf? Major U.S. aircraft carriers have been sent to that region. Why?

Does anyone remember that an Iranian diplomat was seized in Baghdad earlier this week? Or even that a major figure in the Iraqi government was arrested by U.S. forces today. I saw the pictures. Copies of the Qur'an lay on the floor of his ransacked office. That will certainly win the hearts and minds of Muslims.

How many know that 45 civilians were killed by American forces today? Do they matter?

How many are aware that four American soldiers were killed in Iraq today? Aren't their deaths important?

I don't see anything positive for the future of a society which worships celebrity status while ignoring what really matters.

It's time to wake up!

How much did you say that was?

The Decider has submitted a 2.9 trillion dollar budget. He also promised in the State of the Union speech to balance the budget. The only way that will happen is if you and me, the people in the middle get squeezed for every penny of tax money. And that's very possible.

What can you do with 2.9 trillion dollars? Could you provide universal health care for every American? Many countries already offer that to their citizens. Could you upgrade schools and lower the cost of college tuition? This country lags in educational achievement. Could you develop programs to help the homeless? This terrible legacy of Reaganomics needs to be addressed in a compassionate manner. Could you rebuild New Orleans? The poor neighborhoods, I mean. Could you fix the hundreds of levees throughout the country which the Army Corps of Engineers has pronounced unfit? In short, could you do the patriotic thing and help your country and your fellow citizens?

I imagine you could. But in this 2.9 trillion dollar budget, most of the money is going for war. The Decider has deliberately cut some funding for education, Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs, to ensure there is enough to continue the war effort. The business of killing is much more important, according to this budget, than the business of living. And the patriotic thing to do is to kill as many as possible in the name of the United States of America. And let God sort it out.

I hope Congress has the backbone to stand up to this very unpatriotic proposal and do what's right for the American people. And that includes the Senate.

Is it hot in here, or is it just me?

Global warming has been a hot topic this week, so to speak. But you don't have to be a scientist to know something is wrong.

I grew up in St. Louis and still come back to visit. On a good day, you can see the Arch from several miles away. But I've experienced some summer days when the sky was so full of pollution that you couldn't see the landmark until you were nearly there. Nearly every city is the same. There are "ozone alert" days when it's not safe to leave the house. Doesn't that mean something is wrong?

When I was growing up, back in the 60s, the seasons were regular, too. Summer lasted for three or, if we were lucky, four months, and it was always hot. Fall started on time, usually, and the days became crisp and cool. Winter meant snow. A lot of it. I remember days when the snow was up to my waist--of course, I wasn't very tall back them. And it was cold. Spring, which began either in late February or late March, unofficially, heralded warmer days and the blooming of flowers and leaves. Every season came in order, not usurping the others.

But now it's all haywire. I'm in St. Louis now, and in the past week or two I've seen a day when the temperature reached nearly 60, as well as some nights (tonight included, I think) when it hovered in the teens. Throughout the U.S., the weather may be unseasonably warm or untypically brutal. I mean, there was snow in Tucson, Arizona and Malibu, California. Isn't that just a little weird?

For too long societies have played fast and lose with the environment. Now we are reaping the consequences.

And yet, the White House falsified scientific reports to suit its own twisted agenda. Why?

Because oil is where the money is. And one of the first steps to curbing global warming is to limit the use of fossil fuels.

Why have we allowed politicians to manipulate our childrens' future?