Israel is a Fact, Now Let’s Find Peace

Israel Independence Day is celebrated annually on 5 Iyar, the anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel (May 14, 1948).

Today the Associated Press reported the following:

Bitter Palestinian rivals marched together Saturday in a rare show of unity as they marked 62 years of displacement in the war surrounding Israel’s creation.

Loyalists of rival groups Hamas and Fatah held Palestinian flags and a giant key symbolic of their hoped-for return as part of annual commemorations of what they call the “catastrophe,” or “nakba” in Arabic. The names of the villages and towns emptied during the war were written across the key, alongside the slogan “We will return.”

The plight of the refugees — who fled or were driven from their homes during the 1948 Israeli-Arab war — is one of the most emotionally charged issues for Palestinians and Israel to resolve.

From Wikipedia is this account of the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. My personal knowledge confirms much of the information. More in depth information here.

Fighting between the Arab and Jewish communities of Palestine began in November 1947, immediately after the UN decision to create a Jewish state. The Arab States declared they would greet any attempt to form a Jewish state with war.[46] Dr Izzat Tannous, the Palestinian Arab representative to the UN declared that

“We are now at war, a war in which no quarter will be asked and none will be given. It will be a battle of life and death and woe to the vanquished.”^[47]

Fighting spread as the British gradually withdrew (the area had been a British Protectorate since the end of World War I). The Arab League could not invade until the British completed their withdrawal, and planned an invasion for the day after. In this phase, before the British departure, the struggle was a civil war. Arab forces consisted of village militias buttressed by the Arab Liberation Army, a force composed largely of Arab volunteers from across the Middle-East but which included European mercenaries including British deserters, German Nazis[48] and veterans of the (Bosnian Moslem) Croatian Waffen SS (whose commander had been the Palestinian Mufti of Jerusalem). The Jews had their militias (including many World War II veterans) and a several thousand strong professional force called the Palmach.

Initially the Arabs had the advantage as the British maintained an embargo on Palestine’s seas preventing the Jews from importing arms or manpower while Arab states could supply local Arabs who also occupied more strategic areas and outnumbered the Jews. The Jews, however, were better organized and believed themselves to be fighting for their lives. Jewish taxes had funded both the British army in Palestine and British support for the Arab population so the Jewish economy benefited from the British departure while the Arab economy collapsed as the war expanded. The Jews had an elected government (the Va’ad Leumi) already in place with an independent taxation system.

In the early stages 100,000 Palestinian Arabs, mainly the upper classes and the better off fled to neighbouring states.[49] Before May 1948, 150,000 more fled or were evicted during fighting as the Jews slowly overpowered the Arab forces. Jewish preparation for the Arab invasion led to the eviction of hostile Arab communities who controlled access routes. In Haifa the Arab Higher Committee (who were based in Syria) refused to allow a negotiated cease fire with the Jews or allow the Arab population to remain under Jewish control thus contributing to the departure of the city’s Arab population.[50] There was particularly heavy fighting on the road to Jerusalem, whose 100,000 strong Jewish community was cut off from the rest of the country, and this led the Jews to destroy most of the Arab villages along the narrow route they eventually established between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

In March 1949, after many months of battle, a permanent ceasefire went into effect and Israel’s interim borders, later known as the Green Line, were established.

The current population of Israel is 7.5 million people, of whom 5.7 million are Jewish.

Comparing Individual State Debt to Greek Debt

Reuters reports that California’s long term debt is over $159 billion. New York state debt is $120 billion. The amount all 50 U.S. states owe in debt and benefits for public workers is $1.026 trillion. This data provided according to the analysis by the Citizens Budget Commission.

New York’s ability to pay its bills was estimated at a ratio of 1.099, meaning that for every dollar of resources it has, there is $1.099 worth of obligations. By contrast California’s ratio works out to a more affordable 0.599, according to the study by the nonpartisan research group.

Greece’s foreign debt has risen to 300 billion euros ($441 billion), or about 125% of national GDP. The GDP of California in 2008 was $1.5 trillion according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. New York’s GDP was about $1 trillion.

Global comparison

Zimbabwe has the world’s highest public debt as a percentage of the economy. Select examples and overall rank:

Zimbabwe 304% (1)
Japan 192% (2)
Greece 108% (8)
France 80% (15)
Germany 77% (18)
U.K. 69% (22)
U.S. 58%* (42)
Iran 19% (103)
Russia 7% (124)

Source: CIA

* Does not include Treasury debt held by Social Security Administration and the Federal Reserve

Things aren’t so bad after all!

Ethnic Studies Promote Division

The purpose of ethnic studies is murky. I read and hear words like “understanding a person’s family history”, “learning about your family’s ethnic background”, “learning about you ethnic history”, “learning about someone else’s ethnic history”, and similar words. Carried to extreme are the degree programs at my own alma mater, California State University Northridge (CSUN).

At CSUN there are the Chicana and Chicano Studies that is part of the College of Humanities. I admit that I do not appreciate liberal arts degrees. They lead no where. There are no jobs or careers other than teaching that are interested in hiring liberal arts majors. I see even less value in ethnic studies. Here is the stated objective of this program.

1. Demonstrate an ability to think critically, analytically, and creatively about the Chicana/o experience in the local and global society.

2. Demonstrate competency in oral, written, and research skills.

3. Demonstrate an understanding of creative and performance arts.

4. Acquire a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Chicana/o Studies history, culture, arts, language, and socio-political issues.

5. Acquire the leadership skills that will promote social change in Chicana/o communities and the broader society.

These kinds of studies are all about emphasizing differences between people rather than similarities. Arizona has banned these studies in Tucson because the classes are emphasizing racial separation and the return of the western United States to Mexico. Most Black Americans have ancestry that dates back hundreds of years in the United States. They are African by ancestral birth. We do not identify people with ancestry from Europe as European Americans.

We need more attitude encouraging integration. America’s objective has always been immigration and assimilation. Martin Luther King’s words: I look forward confidently to the day when all who work for a living will be one with no thought to their separateness as Negroes, Jews, Italians or any other distinctions.

Supreme Court – the Liberal Wing is Reinforced

When Ruth Bader Ginsburg was sworn in as the 107th justice to the United States Supreme Court in August, 1993, she became the second woman to sit in this court (Sandra Day O’Connor was the first woman) and the first Jewish justice since 1969. She was born on born March 15, 1933. She has survived two cancer illnesses (colon cancer and pancreatic cancer). At 77 years old she will be the oldest justice on the Supreme Court after John Paul Stevens, who is 89, retires. She is part of the liberal side of the court. Have you seen pictures of Ruth Bader Ginsburg? She does not look well. She has said she is healthy and intends to continue her roll on the Supreme Court.

Other older members of the court include: Justice Antonin Gregory Scalia is 74 and is a conservative, Justice Anthony McLeod Kennedy is 73 and is a moderate and has swayed in his decision making, Justice Stephen Gerald Breyer is 71 and is a liberal.

Elena Kagan is Jewish. She was born in New York City on April 28, 1960. She graduated from Hunter College High School in 1977 and earned her B.A. from Princeton University in 1981. She worked for the Michael Dukakis presidential campaign. She was dean of Harvard Law School. On January 5, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated her to be Solicitor General of the United States. Thus, she became the first woman to hold the office responsible for arguing for the Government of the United States in front of the Supreme Court whenever the government is party to a case. Kagan was a law clerk for Judge Abner Mikva of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and for Justice Thurgood Marshall of the U.S. Supreme Court. She was also an associate at the Washington D.C. law firm Williams & Connolly.

Television news shows are all saying that Kagan is a consensus builder. That was an important part of her role as dean of Harvard Law School. She has been known to face controversy particularly her banning of military recruitment on the Harvard campus because of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

Kagan is qualified to serve on the Supreme Court.

Travel Warning

United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Sun May 09 09:34:01 2010.

MEXICO

May 06, 2010

The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico about the security situation in Mexico, and to advise that the authorized departure of family members of U.S. government personnel from U.S. Consulates in the northern Mexico border cities of Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and Matamoros has been extended. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Mexico dated April 12, 2010 to note the extension of authorized departure and to update guidance on security conditions and crime.

Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year. This includes tens of thousands who cross the border every day for study, tourism or business and at least one million U.S. citizens who live in Mexico. The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and other visitors to major tourist destinations. Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime reported in the border region and in areas along major drug trafficking routes. Nevertheless, crime and violence are serious problems. While most victims of violence are Mexican citizens associated with criminal activity, the security situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens as well.

It is imperative that U.S. citizens understand the risks involved in travel to Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and who to contact if one becomes a victim of crime or violence. Common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where criminal activity might occur, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable. U.S. citizen victims of crime in Mexico are urged to contact the consular section of the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy for advice and assistance. Contact information is provided at the end of this message.

More details at the United States Department of State web site.

Today’s Los Angeles Times has a front page article assuring everyone that it really is safe to travel to Tijuana. They do have a travel section that takes considerable advertising from agencies promoting travel to Mexico. Could that be their motivation?

Evasion is No Solution to California’s Budget Challenge

Bob Blumenfield is the Assemblyman representing my California district in Sacramento. Mr. Blumenfield represents a large portion of the west and north communities of the San Fernando Valley. As chair of the Assembly Budget Committee he has taken his “California Budget: Be part of the Solution” program on the road. He held a “Community Forum on State Budget Priorities” at a major senior center in the center of the Valley.

To my surprise the auditorium was filled with members of the SEIU. Most were wearing T shirts to advertise that fact. What had I walked into? The lady sitting next to me works downtown for the DMV. Although the senior center had publicized this event, there were no more than 10% seniors (based upon appearance). 600 people were expected to attend. There were at least 400 there.

In addition to Mr. Blumenfield the other assembly members included in the panel were Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), Julia Brownley, 41st Assembly (D-Portions of the San Fernando Valley and adjoining areas), and Felipe Fuentes – Chairman of the Appropriations Committee (D-North East San Fernando Valley). Ms. Ma’s photo is from her web site. The other three photo were taken by me.

Questions were asked and audience participation provided answers using wireless communicators regarding services to be provided and ways to raise money to pay for those desired services. There was never any discussion about the fact that the budget is already projected to have a short fall of $24.3 Billion. There was never any discussion of the high cost of pensions or services provided to illegal aliens.

Mr. Blumenfield is a hard worker at spreading his face and name as demonstrated by the photo album on his assembly web site. Based on my attempt to ask questions after the meeting, he is not willing to discuss the real budget issues. He answered my questions with evasion.

How to Defeat Democracy

2/3 Requirement Makes a Mockery of Majority Rules

The words of Thomas Jefferson: “The only way a republican government can function, and the only way a people’s voice can be expressed to affect a practicable control of government, is through a process in which decisions are made by the majority. This is not a perfect way of controlling government, but the alternatives–decisions made by a minority, or by one person–are even worse and are the source of great evil. To be just, majority decisions must be in the best interest of all the people, not just one faction.”

Despite repeated similar statements by Jefferson and other great American leaders we have continuing efforts to abridge the process by asking voters and assemblies to approve laws that require 67% or two thirds (2/3) vote to pass laws. Proposition 16 on the June 2010 California ballot is another example of that kind of law. Californians has voted that restriction into law repeatedly. The result is that one third of the population (or assembly) determines if the state will pass a budget or if a school district can sell bonds. Or in other words the 2/3 vote Pacific Gas and Electric is proposing means that if the Proposition is passed that it will then take a 2/3 majority to enable any municipality to create a publicly owned utility.

The U.S. Senate requirement of 60% to pass laws is equally abhorrent.

Los Angeles Gallery Update

Additional pictures of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. The 485mm zoom Panasonic DMC-FZ28 made it possible.