Talkwise (Politics)

Fear and Leaderless in America

2007-10-06T10:27:00.000-07:00

Has anyone asked the question, where are the real leaders in America? One term, two term senators, actor-turned senator, well heeled investment banker, son of political family turned governor, former first lady now senator of state she never lived in, oh my! Perhaps the idea of the “hero-leader” as outlined in John Keegan’s Mask of Command is passé or politically incorrect in an age where the confident, tested, and masculine leader is denigrated while the feel good, “why can’t we all just get along” approach is applauded.

Today’s leadership watch what they say, take positions that have been crafted out of countless poll-analysis sessions, and try not to offend anyone. The leaders who take positions which are out of step with the media’s twisted concept of right and wrong are deemed extremist. Why the media and fringe elements (both Right and Left) are considered the standard of right and wrong, I do not know.

For example, Senator McCain was quoted saying it was important the next President is Christian, this of course made front page news on Yahoo.com. To rephrase his comment, what religion would American’s feel most comfortable having their president practice? The overwhelming majority would respond with Christian, Catholic, or Protestant. Is this because Americans or John McCain are extremist? No, it is because America is a nation whose customs, culture and traditions are based on Judeo-Christian principles. This is a fact of life, tour other countries and you will find the same, Mexico/Catholic, India/Hindu, Russia/Eastern Orthodox etc…

Compare how the media treats Senator Clinton whose middle of ground, carefully analyzed approach to issues offends no one and causes no major waves in the media/political arenas. Whether it is the war in Iraq, homosexual marriage or illegal immigration, Senator Clinton takes positions that have a little bit of everything for everyone. The same can be said with Senator Obama who has taken this same broad-based, safe-approach to issues while hiding behind his “beltway outsider” label.

Senator(s) Clinton and Obama’s leadership is false, it is acting. It is pseudo-leadership which works when the seas are calm and the barbarians are at bay. The same can be said for Candidates [Romney]
and Thompson who evoke less than inspiring images as potential “Leaders of the Free World.” Smooth sounding speeches and poll-based principles are not what America needs when she is engaged in a real war, facing real challenges to her hegemony, and confronted with real domestic problems such as the urban decay of our cities and a culturally fractured society.

It is sad when the only candidate ([Senator McCain]) whose resume’ most closely resembles that of a “hero leader” stands no chance of winning his party’s nomination. This reality is due to his principle-based positions on issues which require hard answers to hard questions (the War in [Iraq], Immigration, Values). American’s would rather elect people who take the road most traveled, those who dared less to win rather than those dared all to win. Will the real leaders please stand up?
[Talkwise]

Brown Out

2007-10-02T22:02:00.000-07:00

With the Iraq War dominating the headlines, the unrecognized war over congressional seats, who will represent them and the demographic changes creating this conflict avoids the headlines.

A recent special congressional election was held in the 37th district to see who would replace the late Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald. This district has been a “black” district comprising the cities of Long Beach (North Side), Carson, and Compton. These historically African American neighborhoods have undergone a transformation over the past decade losing their “blackness” and becoming increasingly “brown.”
[Hispanic] Population
Carson
1990 27%
2000 35%
Compton
1990 42%
2000 56%
Long Beach
1990 23%
2000 36%
[Black]
Population
Carson
1990 26%
2000 25%
Compton
1990 55%
2000 40%
Long Beach
1990 13%
2000 11%

These trends can be projected across the major urban centers of America where traditionally black districts are slowly evolving into brown districts. During the 37th district’s election, many black leaders vocalized their concerns of losing a seat to a Hispanic.

The [demographic]
changes will dramatically alter the political landscape within local, state, and federal elections. Democrats will be faced with an internal battle royal between old-line black leaders who paid their dues in the 1960s and the upstart Hispanics who demand and deserve a seat at the political table of democracy.

This demographic shift will also impact the black voters themselves. As more districts lose their blackness, black voters will be faced with the reality of being represented in government by non-black officials. This situation could force blacks to move “beyond” race or it could lead a massive level of political disenfranchisement.

Another byproduct of this change could be an opportunity for the [Republican]
Party to become the new party for black America. As improbable as this seems, the only other major voter block which consistently expresses strong support for anti-illegal immigration measures are blacks. This combined with a Democratic party which is focused on winning the brown vote could sway some black Americans towards the GOP.

The upcoming 5 to 10 years will witness an acceleration in the demographic tides of change. How communities respond to these changes, the inclusive or exclusive nature of their [Political]
leadership’s message will largely determine the success or failure of our political system and our nation’s cohesion or thereof.

America's Choice in Iraq: War or Peace (Talkwise)

2007-02-19T15:55:00.000-08:00

The Democratic initiated non-binding resolution against the President’s efforts to increase troop levels in [Iraq] and the subsequent reaction amongst the presidential contenders is remarkable and at the same time troubling because it reveals a lack of seriousness on the part of our elected officials in dealing with [War] and [Peace]. Americans are probably not surprised by the pandering of the individuals in Congress however the ability of the presidential aspirants to shift their position or lack thereof one in response to perceived public sentiment is something which should cause Americans concern.

The inability of the candidates to understand the serious nature of foreign policy and its repercussions throughout the world increases the potential for chaos and uncertainty abroad. These current candidates both GOP and Democrat have all chosen either anti-war ([Barack Obama]), “pull’em out now” positions or have taken the ineffectual Clintonesque middle ground, least painful, “how the wind blows” option. Senator [McCain] seems to be the only one who has from the beginning advocated the only course of action for victory (increased troop and resource levels).

In war, once the fight has started and you are in the thick of it there are not many good options left. War is a terrible thing but someone must win and someone must lose. Yes pulling out (Obama) is an option however your enemy will not have been defeated and you must be willing to pay the price later should they be emboldened to strike on other fronts. History is littered with failed idealist-leaders who have chosen this path only to condemn their people greater bloodshed down the road (Neville Chamberlain).

The Clintonesque, appease everyone option is not a choice in war. In combat you win or lose, live or die. It is not about poll numbers nor is it about making both sides happy. Senator [Clinton]
thinks she can talk tough yet then call for the initiation of a [troop pullout]in 90 days and be thought of as a serious candidate for the leader of the free world. Her political ballet maneuvers are useless when real stewardship is needy and a nation must be guided through the treacherous seas of war.

Americans should expect leadership from those in power, not political pandering and Mr. and Miss Popularity contestants. War is about imposing your will on the enemy and achieving political objectives through military means (Clausewitz). America is at war, Americans are dieing and the middle ground approach prohibits victory while pro-longing an eventual defeat due to the insufficient allocation of military means.

Victory or defeat, those are our options. Senator’s Obama and Clinton think they can have it both ways. Senator Obama thinks he is Lincoln yet President Lincoln committed his nation to a war which cost over a half-million lives and nearly his presidency. Senator Obama, you are no [Lincoln]. Senator Clinton wants to have both ways yet all she does is reveal her ineffectual and foundationless leadership qualities.

The facts are we have started a fight which we did not think would end up as it is now. Yes mistakes have been made in [Iraq] such as insufficient troop levels, poor post-war planning, and naivety on the part of all elected officials that war can won on the cheap both politically, financially, and socially but war it is and this war must be won. It is time for Americans to choose, victory or defeat, war or peace. There is no middle ground.

[Talkwise]

Halloween Justice Talkwise

2007-01-29T19:27:00.000-08:00

The Halloween Beatings in [Long Beach]
Long Beach CA this past year and the subsequent verdicts have crystallized some of the glaring problems our communities are facing regarding traditional views on [race]
and justice. For those who are unaware of what happened that terrible night, three young women were vicisously beaten by a mob twelve youths shouting racial epithets. The women were selected and brutally assaulted because of their race. Had it not been for a Good Samaritan, those three women could have died.

This case did not make national headlines unlike other racially motivated attacks nor did the community conduct candle light vigils, march in protest, or resort to civil unrest. With the recent guilty verdict, amazingly the twelve defendants were categorized as victims right along with their three targets of hatred. The mayor and city council made responses that did not endorse the verdict nor support the victim’s rights and families. Instead, everyone was a victim, the assaulted three and the twelve thugs because of one reason, race.

Why is this? Simple, in this case the victims were white and the criminals were black. The national media did not care because racially motivated crimes can only be white on black, not the other way around. Black on white crime is tacitly excused by the political establishment as a hang-over from the days of segregation and lynching.

The day the verdicts were read, there were gatherings outside the courthouse in support of the defendants but no where were the prayer groups found for the victims. The mayor spoke of a community needing healing, rather than the trial being a triumph of justice. If a community’s leadership is paralyzed by the issue of race, unable to support the judicial system’s verdict because their skewed and racially clouded vision of society our cities especially Long Beach are in store of more trouble.
[talkwise]

Clausewitz and Iraq (Talkwise)

2007-01-22T23:05:00.000-08:00

The growing opposition to President [Bush's]
[Iraq]
policy and to the war in general highlights the ceaseless truth of Carl Von Clausewitz’s axiom, “War is the continuation of politics through other means.” This phrase summarizes the challenges the administration but more importantly, this American democracy faces in sustaining a dirty counter-insurgency effort. In these “Savage Wars of Peace” as Max Boot so succinctly phrased it in his New York Times best seller, the endurance of a nation’s polity and citizenry is just as important as her military’s will.
If war is a continuation of politics through other means, then this Iraq war is the continuation of politics through the application of military force. This begs the question if the current military “means” are sufficient to attain the administration’s political objectives. If the [military] resources currently dedicated are not adequate, then three options present themselves. These are first; redraw your political objectives to match the available military means (partition of Iraq). Second, restructure or deploy your current military forces in a more efficient manner which will enable you to reach your political objective (train Iraqi military). Finally, the third option is the either increase or decrease your military commitment to enable to fulfillment of your political objective (long-term troop surge).

Throughout this four year conflict, the communicated political objectives (regime change, eradication of terror cells, and now a free and democratic Iraq) have all required different yet larger military commitments than the current force structure in Iraq. If the administration is serious about making a democratic Iraq, then the military presence in Iraq must be increased substantially. The current political will does not exist for that choice since in a democracy, a political action without the support of the electorate is fleeting in duration.

If in today’s America the public does not increase its political support for the war effort, the administration’s political objectives in Iraq will have to be reduced. This takes a painful acknowledgement on the part of the President but also an understanding that certain realist truths remain as applicable today as were in the times of [Clausewitz].
[talkwise]

News Feeder Talkwise

2006-12-05T22:46:00.000-08:00

I have now added a News Feeder to the [Talkwise] blog. You can now get a daily news dump by double clicking on any of the news headlines to the right of the posting. The news feeder will have the latest on the war in [Iraq]
, politics, [immigration], and other happenings. To add this free feature to your website, visit Newsfeed Maker. There you can select the news you want and then they will send you the Java code to add to your web page.

Graduation

2006-12-05T21:17:00.000-08:00

Graduating this Saturday from Pepperdine. Thank the Lord it is over so that I can get back on this blog [Talkwise] . I started my mba program 2.5 years ago and now it is finally coming to an end. This is in fact the last night of homework since I have finals the next two evenings and work during the day. My [Pepperdine] program was a "fully employed" [MBA] program which means you have your regular job and go to class at night. This translates into 10 hour work days coupled with 4 hours of class x 2 to 3 nights per week. Along with the 12 to 20 hours of home work per week you find that your life is a struggle. Over the last 30 months, 5 to 6 hours of sleep per night was the norm. Grey hair, lost physical fitness, and a non-existent social life are typical by-products of such a program. But!!! it is worth it. Life without struggle is just an existence. Life without love is solitude. Now it is ending and Life in all her joys and sadness, peaks and valleys, triumphs and defeats can recommence.

Daily News Loop

2006-06-22T22:46:00.000-07:00

Check out the FilmLoop's Daily News Video Loop. It is a great site where you can import to your site a video feed. Pretty cool.

The Siege of Vienna, "Thanks Tigerhawk"

2006-06-21T23:34:00.000-07:00

This was found on Tigerhawk's Blog. It is a great summary of siege of 1683 when the Polish led armies of the West stopped the advancing horde of Turkish armies. It was this battle which stopped the advance of Islam on Europe and began the slow retreat of Islam from Western soil. Today the battle continues in the heart of radical Islam. God bless our armies as our brave warriors continue the fight which has been raging for the last 325 years.

Tiger Hawk:
At three o'clock on Sunday afternoon, the twelfth of September 1683, the clang of steel on steel and the deafening gunfire subsided before the walls of besieged Vienna. A titanic battle had been underway since dawn, with the future of Europe dependent on its outcome.

A cobbled together Christian relief force under Poland's King Jan Sobieski had fought its way down from the hills and into the open ground before the city, but the Ottomans resisted tenaciously. The earth had been drinking the blood of soldiers for nine hours without decisive advantage to either side. The Christian infantry was fought out, and the Turks were bringing up their elite reserves. Weakened by hunger and disease, the garrison within the city walls lacked the strength to influence the battle. The strange lull that presages war's fateful moments settled over the plain. An Ottoman army 140,000 strong had advanced on the greatest city in central Europe, the seat of the Austrian Habspurgs and a bulwark of Christendom that had defied repeated Turkish campaigns, assaults and sieges. This time the sultan did not intend to fail. He had dispatched his grand vizier, Kara Mustafa, with the finest soldiery the empire could muster: the corps of janissaries formed of Christian boys taken as tribute and school to Muslim fanaticism, and the Spahis, cavalrymen who had swept away the sultan's enemies from the Danube to the Euphrates.

The Muslim heart of the Ottoman army was wrapped in the muscle of tributary states: Christian auxiliaries swelled the sultan's leviathan force, the contingents of princes and noblemen whose lands had been conquered in generations past. Mercenary French artillery masters directed the Ottoman siege guns, and the king of France, Louis XIV, had concluded an agreement with the sultan not to assist his fellow Christians against their would-be conquerors. For the Sun King, humbling his Habsburg rivals was more important than the fate of Europe. He set a pattern from which the policy of France has only rarely strayed. French diplomats had done their best to dissuade any other European states from sending troops to raise the siege of Vienna. Fearful of Bourbon malice, the states of Italy chose to remain passive, and the Habsburgs could rely upon only the remnants of their battered armies and slight reinforcements from Bavaria and a few lesser German principalities.The numbers were not enough to defeat the massive Ottoman force. Only a single power remained with the strength to save Vienna.

The Poles had defended Europe against Turks and Tatars, against Cossack raids and Muscovite barbarism, for a quarter of a millennium. Attacked on all sides in the mid-seventeenth century -- by Tatars, Turks, Ukrainians and Swedes -- the Poles had nonetheless presesrved their state and further burnished their reputation as dauntless soldiers and devoted Christians.France did all that policy could effect to prevent the Poles from riding southward to rescue the Habsburg Empire. The rough democracy that prevailed among the Polish nobility proved susceptible to French blandishments and threats. Poland's kind could not unite his own country behind his purpose of saving Vienna. Louis XIV and his coutiers at Versailles were certain that France would soon be the dominant power remaining in Europe.In an hour of greatness that leaves the West forever indebted, King Jan decided to march to Vienna with only his household troops and those Polish nobles willing to follow him. Defying France and his own magnates, and still threatened by the appetites of his neighbors, Jan Sobieski risked his crown and his life for his fellow Christians.After uniting his forces with the Habsburg remnants under Charles of Lorraine, King Jan was given overall command for the looming battle. The Austrian emperor -- no soldier -- kept himself at a safe distance from the coming slaughter.

By three o'clock in the afternoon King Jan's plan had carried the battle within a last charge of the city walls, but the Ottomans were far from broken. On horseback atop a hill the king could see the Turkish forces rallying as the janissaries moved into the foremost lines. The Ottoman cavalry wheeled to face the Christian flank, ready to sweep down on the survivors of any failed attack. The day was warm and the sky was clear, and the smoke of the earlier fighting drifted off. For those upon the city walls or ranked on the low hills won in the day's hard fighting, the spectacle of Ottoman might unfolding must have chilled the sweat that greased their spines. Behind King Jan stood twenty thousand horsemen, the West's last hope. Immediately at his back, the shock troops of the Polish kawaleria glittered in their armor, heavy cavalrymen whose equipage resembled that of the knights of past centuries. The force that would have to decide the day were those regiments of the Polish husaria, the greatest cavalrymen of the age and the greatest heroes Europe ever produced. Waiting in their shimmering ranks on the high ground, the Polish hussars were an otherwordly sight. Each rider's height was increased by a pair of feathered wings fixed at his back, giving him the look of a warrior angel. A Polish hussar was a mobile fortress, armored and equipped with a lance, a bow, one or two heavy dragoon pistols, and multiple sabers -- all of which he wielded expertly. With each regiment arrayed in its own color -- blue, green, yellow, red -- and with animal pelts raked over the shoulders of their gleaming breastplates, the riders in the lobsterback helmets were feated throughout Europe's desperate frontiers. Veterans of ceaseless wars, the Polish hussars would have to break through three successive Turkish lines to gain a Christian victory.

At twenty minutes after three o'clock King Jan lifted his mace -- Poland's symbol of military authority.Trumpets blared and kettledrums thumped. The Polish cavalry began to move forward, first at a walk, then increasing their pace to a trot. Spurring to a canter, the riders maintained their ranks with iron discipline. The Turkish cavalry charged across the Ottoman front to face them, screaming their war cries and calling upon Allah.The Polish riders broke into a gallop. Lowering their lances, they shouted "For Jesus and Maria!" Eighty thousand hooves pounded the earth.The forces collided with a roar and a crash of metal. Horses thudded into one another, wild-eyed, rearing, and tumbling to the earth. The lances of the first Polish rank splintered against their targets. The impact hurled the lighter Turkish cavalrymen from their saddles.The hussars smashed through the broken troops of Spahis, drawing their sabers and spurring their horses back to a gallop, howling with the fury of battle and calling once more for the aid of Christ and the Virgin.The charge was catastrophic for the Ottoman army. Dutiful to the last, the janissaries died in place, ridden down by Polish hussars exploding through their defenses, intoxicated by victory. The grand vizier fled, barely escaping as hussars reached the movable palace of his tent, sweeping through the Ottoman camp as soldiers and servants ran madly from the avenging angels of the north.When darkness ended the last skirmishes twenty thousand Ottoman bodies littered the ground. The remainder fled in disorder. Vienna had been rescued. The myth of Ottoman invincibility, already weakened, had been destroyed. Fewer than two thousand Christians lay on the field.

The Ottoman Empire never again posed so serious a threat to the West. For centuries the names of the sultans had resounded, associatede with conquests. Now the names of Christian generals would be remembered, from Prince Eugene to Suvorov and Skobelev. The Ottomans would fight on, but the empire had bled into twilight. All that remain was a long, grim, losing battle against the night as an empire famed for its diversity contracted in body and soul, reduced at last to economic capitulations to Western creditors, to cruelty in lieu of competence, and to the grisly slaughter of the empire's last minorities.The West had won on the continent of Europe, with Christendom saved by a Polish king. Poland's thanks was dismemberment in the next century, as the rulers of Austria, Russia, and Prussia partitioned its territory and drove its heroes abroad to fight for freedom wherever such wars were waged -- and still fought for their homeland in hopeless rebellions.No Europeans fought longer for their freedom and the liberty of others than did the Poles. And none have received less gratitude. The more things change, the more they remain the same.Happy blogiversary!

Mountain Skills

2006-06-21T22:53:00.000-07:00

Rapelling
Originally uploaded by penwise.

Some of the mountain skills you practice are rapelling, rock climbing, river crossing, rope management, and survival skills. The knot tying techniques are no joke. You have to be able to correctly tie about 15 knots all blind folded and within 30 seconds. Needless to say, many students fail because they cannot pass the tests. Rapelling at night with too much gear down an unknown face is one of the simple joys in life everyone should experience...just kidding.

An officer's greatest weapon

2006-06-21T22:44:00.000-07:00

An officer's greatest weapon
Originally uploaded by penwise.

I just spent some time at the Mountain Warfare Training Center. It was designed to train and prepare Marine units for combat in Korea. The elevations range from 6500 to 11000 ft. Moving with 70 to 100 pound packs are the norm. It is definitely not for the weak. On the mountain, the strong survive and those who cannot hack it are exposed. Here is a picture of myself tied to radio as always: Trying to unscrew the comm situation. Up at high elevation, the radio always plays games with you. You have to be able to talk to Higher. The radio is the officer's greatest weapon. With it you can request arty, air support, logistics, and command your subordinate units.

Pax Americana

2006-06-17T13:04:00.000-07:00

[Byzantine] and Rome called out from the past,
Relics of faded purple imperial’s hue,
Once great powers that would live eternity’s last,
Now legends, tattered relics in museum’s view.

“Americana, Americana, great brother of ours,
How you rose to towering heights of strength,
Endowed with nature’s rich treasures abound,
Spanning a continent, mountains, oceans great.”

“A people with ideas and principles of right,
They created a foundation of liberty and idealism,
Wove its’ sacred promises into a law for rule,
And a government to protect its’ citizens.”

“Nearly torn in two, brothers killed one another,
A decade of poverty, two world wars to fight,
A nation’s people starved and bled together,
Yet through this their meekness turned to might!”

“The robes and scepter of Lord’s imperial majesty,
Shunned by America’s masses, isolated by the sea,
Destiny bestowed upon their brow this Holy crown,
And with it [Pax Americana], its’ realm came to be.”

“For years its’ armies ruled the continents afar,
It’s people reaping the riches of corporate crusades,
Pampered, the citizen’s life soon became,
But with comfort and convenience came a fateful trade.”

“Citizenship was no longer the sacred right earned,
But a mere accessory by birth anyone could rate,
Instead of their nation’s betterment, selfishness ruled,
And the Empire’s slow demise soon became fate.”

“With concern of republic and law cast aside,
The President our servant, a relic of lore,
Men of greed now claimed the titular crown,
Rule of citizenry and of acumen, was no more.”

“One by one the freedoms paid by patriot blood,
Were surrendered “en masse” to government’s care,
No longer was wanted the responsibility to preside,
Rather give citizens their leisurely media affair.”

“While the Many basked in the abundance of fading bliss,
There the Few who served to guard the Empire’s walls,
As challenges came, the Many replied ‘Not I!’
While the Few toiled to prevent Americana’s fall.”

“Year by year, un-beknownst to the Many,
The Empire crumbled under the weight of lethargy,
Citizenship’s sacredness was sold to highest bidder,
And with it, Pax-Americana’s future viability.”

“As this great Empire rotted from within,
Like all of our crowned imperial brethren who fell,
The other Kingdoms watched and waited from afar,
to strike the people sleeping under indolence’s spell.”

“Finally the end came as a surprise to all,
When they realized all they had enjoyed had been lost,
‘What happened to our great wealth,’ they asked in a daze,
Squandered with Freedom and Citizenry, Fate scoffed.”

“Americana prayed to God only out of despair,
‘Why has thou forsaken me my Lord?’ they cry,
But His sacred gift had been wasted, He did not care,
So the King of Kings let the Empire die.”

Rome and Byzantine met the bewildered Americana,
Stunned in Her fall from the Imperial heights of might,
She asked them what had happened as her tarnished crown fell,
They said, “You should have learned from our past plight!”

In History’s shadow with their faded Imperial robes of three,
Stand the fallen Empires whose death came from within,
Not wanting the burden that accompanied Ceasarian majesty,
Betrayal came ultimately from their own citizens.

Globalization: The Forces Behind the Revolution

2006-06-17T10:55:00.000-07:00

[Globalization] is often thought of as a recent change but it has been a process which has ebbed and flowed over time depending upon world events. The “shrinking world” syndrome which began following the collapse of the Soviet Union has continued to gain speed and strength as trade barriers continue to fall and technology facilities the easing of communication, information exchange, and travel. The advent of the internet has only speed up the process of globalization by creating a virtual world where people of any class, nation, and language can communicate, trade, and exchange information. While these amazing changes have contributed to the all encompassing force of globalization, the modern world has experienced this revolution before.

Prior to modernity’s greatest tragedy (World War One), advances in technology, political stability amongst the Great Powers, and development of new markets created a period of pronounced globalization. The colonial empires of the various European powers, and the Bismarkian political order enabled the economic and political powers of the time to trade in relative safety. Great Britain provided secure sea lanes for maritime trade, the United States had completed the Panama Canal, and a series of alliances and treaties created the greatest post-Treaty of Westphalia . The advances in the telegraph, mass- manufacturing, automobile, airplane, steam ship, and electricity fueled this previous wave of globalization much like our societal advances of today. Additionally, the free-flow of peoples from developed nations to their colonial possessions introduced modern features to otherwise tribal societies, leading to flash-points of conflict as modern collided with pre-modern.

It was not until the rule of Kaiser Wilhelm II and his forced retirement of Prince Otto Von Bismark in 1890, coupled with the Kaiser’s Dreadnought building plan and subsequent arms race with Great Britain did the political order become to deteriorate. The other contributing factors of a weakening Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires furthered the slow deconstruction of the post-Crimean War peace. With the collapse of political security and stability, economic and ethnic rivalries became uncontrollable, and the fundamentally flawed system of alliances escalated into the First World War. This conflict erased sixty years of globalization and it was not until the late 1980s did international trade reach pre-World War One levels.

Today’s globalization is fueled and maintained by the same forces. Instead of Great Britain, the United States shoulders the burden of maintaining a global order that enables the free flow of goods and information. Our unrivaled military and political power has prevented other nation-states from attempting to upset this fragile structure. Since [9-11] and the recognition of Islamist terrorism and rogue states as being the two major threats to global security and free trade, the United States has attempted to contain, destroy, and reduce these threats much like Great Britain and Europe did with the ethnic rivalries and terrorism of the 19th century. Also, like the pre-WWI era of globalization, the super-power enforced political order risks being destroyed as weapons technologies spread to rival state actors (Dreadnoughts-Germany, Nuclear technology-[Iran]).

In the early 1990s, the collapse of the Cold War world order doubled the size of the global consumer base over night while the expansion of free trade agreements (EU, NAFTA, ASEAN) created open markets and massive opportunities. The recent development and penetration of the Chinese and Indian markets has added another two billion consumers to the global economy while leading to an explosion of wealth and investment opportunities for the global community much like the colonies and the German/Japanese market development of the late 19th century did.

Technological advances in communications, information exchange, banking, travel, computers, software tools, and robotics have all fueled the explosion in human productivity and resulting economic expansion. As markets and opportunities have expanded, the willingness of companies to invest in R&D, and ultimately bring to the market more effective and imaginative products has continued to sustain this globalization-generating force. This has manifested itself in the recent advances in mobile technology and on-demand content. This relationship of technology and free-market forces contributing to further advancements mirrors earlier eras of globalization were steam engine and electricity advances led to transportation and manufacturing improvements.

The political and economic parameters necessary to produce globalization do not happen by chance. History has shown that it is only when there is political stability and open markets are the forces of globalization unleashed. Like the early 20th century, today we are faced with state and non-state actors who threaten to destroy the political and economic conditions which enable globalization. Containing and eliminating these threats should be a global priority rather than being shouldered by the United States. While the world may not enjoy living in the shadow of the American Colossus, without it the opportunities and economic vitality of the marketplace will collapse and with it, this recent era of globalization.

The Lay of the Last Minstrel

2006-05-09T21:17:00.000-07:00

The [talkwise] debate over the devaluation of [citizenship] in this country has not gained traction during this uproar over illegal immigration. The right to become a citizen has become just that, a right which everyone deserves. Amazing as it may seem, a sovereign nation has the right, her people, the authority, to determine who should be allowed into their country. The media and left wing apologists will argue that everyone should be afforded that opportunity but that is not the case. When does the majority opinion of this country matter? Countless polls and one could expect if it was put to a national referendum, the people would vote in overwhelming numbers to support measures to stem the tide of [illegal immigration]. It should also be noted that these same polls show that the majority of Americans support legal immigration which should reveal the issue at hand is illegal, not legal immigration.

Americans fought and died in order to preserve the freedoms and laws of this land. Americans have given their lives in defense of our country and yes the territorial integrity of this nation. As a member of the military, I fight and am willing to die for America, not for the right of people to illegally enter this country. Is that extreme? Is it extreme to demand that someone respects the property rights of your home? Is it extreme to demand that someone does not take what you have worked for and enjoy? No it is not, but that is what illegal immigration is. It is the illegal act of someone entering your property without permission. It is time for Americans to value their citizenship and the amazing life it affords in higher regard and to take more ownership over their land and yes their borders.

"Breathes there the man, with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,
This is my own, my native land!
Whose heart hath ne'er within him burn'd,
As home his footsteps he hath turn'd,
From wandering on a foreign strand!
If such there breathe, go, mark him well;
For him no Minstrel raptures swell;
High though his titles, proud his name,
Boundless his wealth as wish can claim;
Despite those titles, power, and pelf,
The wretch, concentred all in self,
Living, shall forfeit fair renown,
And, doubly dying, shall go down
To the vile dust, from whence he sprung,
Unwept, unhonor'd, and unsung."
Sir Walter Scott

The West's Death of a Thousand Cuts

2006-05-05T23:44:00.000-07:00

This article was inspire after reading Mr. Shelby Steele's amazing article which appeared in the wednesday Wall Street Journal.

[talkwise] on the West's "Death of Thousand Cuts."
Over 100 years ago, the concept of the "White Man's Burden" emboldened European colonial powers and the United States to colonize and "lift up" the barbaric lands of Africa and Asia. Today, the same effort is being applied either directly via intervention (US spreading democracy to the Middle East) or indirectly through the many non-governmental organizations and actors such as the IMF and UN. While the West sacrifices blood and treasure in brining up these magnificent examples of progressiveness (Somalia, Sudan, Liberia, and Iraq), we are at the same time reminding ourselves of how evil we have been rather than how good we are now.
Throughout the West, there is sense of self inflicting guilt and remorse, focusing on the negatives and mistakes of the past, rather than trumpeting the great triumphs of Western Civilization and its current standard-bearer, the United States. Third World failed states such as [Mexico] and Bolivia are coddled by the media though their elected governments have produced nothing but successive generations of failed policies, corruption, and poverty stricken populations. The United States is castigated in the world's mass media, demanded to pacficy and labled tyranical while at the same time, despot ruled countries such as Zimbabwe and Venezuela are admired for their fight against the evil giant America. Past political criminals such as Che Guevera and [Pancho Villa] (who killed American citizens) are treated as folk heroes while our nation's greatest leaders such as Thomas Jefferson and George Washington are marginalized as old white men who owned slaves.
When did this begin? When did the West and America start down this path of self-destruction, this belief in the worst of ourselves, the emphasis on the negative, and the celebration and promotion of what makes us different rather than what we share in common?
In our multicultural-hijacked education system, Aztec culture and history is celebrated though their daily sacrificing of on average one thousand humans in barbaric paganistic ceremonies is never mentioned. The multiculturalists market Islam as a "religon of peace," though throughout the West, Muslim extremists groups communicate their message in the clearests of languages demanding those who "insult" their religon be killed. Imagine if Christians protested everytime their religon was "insulted," they would never make it to church! The unapologetic heads of Muslim states sit in silence while their fellow leaders and folk heroes pledge to wipe other civilized nations off the face of the Earth. Of course no one mentions the countless times the armies of Islam marched throughout Europe destroying cities, enslaving entire nations, and butchering peoples. The history of today seems to only mention the sins of the West and more specifically the United States. How quick we forget!
Even within the nations of the West there is a sense of defeatism. In Europe, countries such as France, Germany, and Russia are in a demographic tailspin, experiencing contracting populations and morally bankrupt societies. Their people and leadership are paralysed in the face of a growing Islamic cancer which will someday complete the job the Ottoman Empire failed to do when their armies were stopped at the gates of Vienna. Within our borders, the Left promotes multiculturalism as the panacea of the future. Can anyone name one nation who has survived long term with a multicultural society (Austro Hungarian Empire?). Our leaders and media shudder at the thought that maybe our culture, our heritage is magnificent and that the exceptionalism of America is our unfailing belief in the goodness of our character.
Can we as a people really believe that today’s America is the same as the one who fought World War One, suffered through the Great Depression, and waged World War Two all within thirty years? What would our media say back then? What would they report after year three of World War Two when we had already lost over 200,000 lives? Would they demand that we start negotiations with the Japanese after losing 25,000 Marines on Iwo Jima? How would Americans respond to a total economic collapse, no longer being able to afford the basics needs of modern life such as movies, IPods, weekly trips to Target and plasma tvs? In an era when media elites claim their first allegiance is to their profession and then to their country and a mere 1% of our nation's population must shoulder the weight of a protracted war , no wonder one must doubt our character.

The reality is we are a different America. We are no longer imbued with the belief in our exceptionalism, our righteousness, and our superiority. We cannot as a people even acknowledge that [illegal immigration] is in fact illegal. We celebrate everything but Christmas (God forbid we even mention that word) and any other celebration which can somehow push further into the background our western culture. We are a nation who has turned our own heritage and folk heroes into villans and now we are believing our own lies. We are a nation that is spoiled, morally declining, and unwilling to exhibit the moral courage necessary to lead this world. Our enemies know this and exploit the media daily in order ensure we spiritually die this "death of a thousand cuts."

I cannot trace it to one event, nor to one person but when the history of this civilization is written and the rise and fall of our country is chronicled, they will speak of how we belittled ourselves, creating an attitude of defeatism and self-guilt which ulitmately resulted in an unwillingness to sacrifice for the exceptional ideal of America's uniqueness.

"Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

2006-04-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

There are powerful forces at play behind the flow of peoples between countries. At core of these forces are the individual incentives that the immigrant decides is of greatest importance to himself. Be it economic, political, or personal, each migrant who moves to another country is incentivized to do so. That is, the incentive to leave is greater than the incentive to stay or not to go.
When determining whether to enter a country legally or illegally, the role of incentives still holds true. "If I sneak across the border, what is cost/benefit relationship to myself?... am I better off waiting to migrate legally or is the short-term incentive of heading north illegally greater?" These are questions which people from Mexico and Latin America ask themselves when deciding upon a course of action. As we debate the [immigration]
issue, it is paramount that we understand this mental process and carefully develop our solutions around one that will incentivize the individual to come here legally.
The majority of Mexicans who are considering their own options are incentivized economically. The monetary benefits of coming to America, be it illegally or not are greater than the benefits of staying in Mexico. These economic benefits include free education for their children, free health care services (emergency rooms), plentiful work opportunities (service based economy), and higher wages. Furthermore, the economic incentives of an "underground" labor pool where people are paid in cash facilities the movement of funds back to their native country and families.
In order to dissuade an individual from coming here illegally, the counter-forces to the aforementioned economic ones must be stronger. If free education is an incentive, then it should be more difficult to access as should be health services. If it is relatively easy to obtain a job as an illegal immigrant, then it should be made more difficult to do so as should be the transfer of funds back to their families. Positive countervailing forces should also be considered. The increased quotas available for immigration from regions such as Latin America is one. If there is an obvious need for more people then our INS infrastructure should support an inflow of persons equal to what our economy demands. This in itself should shift a portion of the illegal inflows to legal channels. Finally, if real benefits and real costs are realized by choosing between legal and illegal means of entering America (currently the line is blurred), then the government should communicate those realities to potential immigrants through the use of media and an active consulate.
Ultimately, the immigration reforms needed must produce a force stronger than current economic forces which encourage [illegal immigration]. Economics, the rules and forces associated with it are extremely powerful. The law of economics has brought down empires and has caused conflicts since the beginning of time. If our immigration policy is going to work, then we must acknowledge the economic forces at play and realize that a lax policy of sticks and carrots will not work.

[talkwise blog]

China, Maquiladoras, and Immigration

2006-04-29T17:47:00.000-07:00

Maquiladoras, Rise and Fall: Nearly ten years ago the role of the Maquiladoras was being held up as an example of how free trade could help countries such as Mexico offer stable jobs to their populations. Initially, these manufacturing centers employed over one million Mexicans, producing everything from Nike shoes, shirts and house-hold electronics. These plants also served as a potential force for keeping Mexicans in Mexico. However over the last 5 years China has emerged as a threat to Mexico's manufacturing base and her Maquiladoras.

China: With her 1.2 billion people and massive manufacturing base, China has decimated the North American, low-skilled manufacturing base. From 2001 to 2002, Mexico lost nearly 600 maquiladoras out of an active roster of 3,200 export assembly plants, mostly in electronics and ready-made clothing. These losses have continued throughout this decade and like other developing countries, Mexico is struggling to protect a once steady source of employment from China's "Giant Sucking" sound.

Competing with China: Since the global economy has emerged from the Post 9-11 Recession, Mexico and her maquiladoras have been out-maneuvered by more a competitive China. Most recently, China further exhibited it's drive to attract manufacturing businesses by creating Free Trade Zones (FTZs) in order to combat the Maquiladoras. Without an educated and highly developed workforce, Mexico is less able to compete with China and in turn is more vulnerable to the dynamic forces this global economy has unleashed.

How does this relate to the current immigration debate? The decline of the Maquiladoras and corresponding job-losses has coincided with the increased movement of illegal immigrants. With a contracting manufacturing base, job seekers head north finding work in America's expanding service-based economy. Debating immigration and potential solutions without taking into account the "global" nature of the issue is like going to a gun fight with a knife- you will lose. Our elected leaders need to move beyond the emotions of the debate and understand that lasting solutions will need a global perspective and a complete understanding of the forces at play.

Talkwise

[talkwise]
[immigration blog]
[illegal immigration]
[maquiladoras]

2006-04-24T21:56:00.000-07:00

Massive Deportation Is Unrealistic
IRVINE, Calif. (AP) -- President Bush had a blunt message Monday for fellow Republicans focusing only on get-tough immigration policies: He said sending all the nation's estimate..." Talkwise approach to immigration.

Talkwise Immigration/Economy Links

2006-04-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

After another enjoyable week of work, I have managed to sit down and spend some time on Talkwise. During this week, I had posted a help-wanted advertisement in the local paper and my office was visited by numerous people who were tired of being "paid cash" and not "paying taxes." They wanted to be part of the "system." I could not help but wonder if any of the impending immigration changes our government is debating has motivated some people to start moving down the road towards citizenship? If so, maybe it is a good thing...

Here are some links that touch some different opinions on immigration and its impact on our economy and workforce,

Talkwise

U.S. Immigration and Economic Growth: Putting Policy on Hold
http://www.dallasfed.org/research/swe/2003/swe0306a.html

The Cost of Low Cost Labor
http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscal.html

How Immigration Contributes to Economic Growth
http://www.nli-research.co.jp/eng/resea/econo/eco0008b.pdf

Immigration and the US Labor Force
http://www.cis.org/articles/2005/sactestimony111605.html

Immigrants Follow the Money
http://www.heritage.org/Press/Commentary/ed040806a.cfm

Debating Limits on High Skilled Work Visas
http://www.freetrade.org/pubs/briefs/tbp-007es.html

Immigrants Bolster the economy but at what price?
http://in.news.yahoo.com/060414/137/63jnn.html

Learning To Talkwise about Immigration

2006-04-22T08:31:00.000-07:00

Learning to talkwise about immigration and debate the subject requires that you go beyond the emotional lingo being thrown around. You need to understand the total picture, the economic, political, and social impact of immigration both legal and illegal on our country. We have because of the 30 years of lax enforcement, built a society whose economic vitality is dependent upon low-cost, low-skilled labor i.e. labor from Mexico. Additionally, many macroeconomic factors such as the prolonged period of low inflation can be partially attributed to the wage-depression effects this inflow of low cost labor has had on our economy. We all agree that illegal immigration is wrong and that never before has our nation been faced with such a unique immigration related problem. The dilemma is how we go about solving this problem while at the same time transition from an economy built on our current immigration system or lack thereof to one that works? talkwise

Disturbing Video

2006-04-16T19:49:00.000-07:00

I recently found this video on the internet. It is disturbing to say the least and while I know it represents a minority of the hispanic population here in the border states, it is worth noting that there are elements who have bigger goals than illegal immigration. The video highlights some of our esteemed officials here in California playing race politics as usual. It is such a tragedy to hear such words and having served in the Marine Corps with Americans from all racial groups, including hispanics, I find it terrible that officials whose job it is to protect and serve our nation can utter such subversive remarks without consequence. Watch and pass this on to your friends. It is a disturbing reminder that everything you see is what you get.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIW-BZ8oLrk

2006-04-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

We are a nation of immigrants!"The phrase commonly stated when debating the pros and cons of today immigration. While for some, it conjures up the image of a diverse population, all of which came at some point thru Ellis Island or over our borders. Though many of American's ancestors did arrive on our shores in this manner, in reality it is half true.

According to Dr. Samuel P. Huntington, half of America's current population can be traced to the original waves of settlers from the British Islands. That is to say, 50% of today's population can be traced to the settlers who came to America during the 18th century. Rarely will people raise this issue, instead they will focus on the near religous-belief in this nation as diaspora of displaced people who from throughout the world leave their homeland and past behind in hope of building a new future in this country.

America is nation who needs immigrants. In the past, massive waves of newcomers would peak and then subside in response government emplaced limitations and quotas. These legislative actions were always created in response to our citizen's demands.

Today is different, the prolong and unabated wave of immigrants from South America has created a political block and economic dependency which this nation cannot easily ignore nor stop.Both political parties, with the backing of the business community know they cannot alienate this growing political and economic force.

If this nation cannot maintain a responsible immigration policy, we will become as many trumpet today, a nation of immigrants.

Talkwise The "Spill Over Effect"

2006-04-13T16:47:00.000-07:00

Immigration, unfettered and unregulated is not something any American wants but the benefits immigrants have played in revitalizing neglected areas of our urban landscape cannot be discounted. Neighborhoods that would otherwise be desolate, without entrepreneurial activity and life are now thriving ethnic enclaves where newly arrived immigrants can find a hospitable environment where a social and economic network supports their transition.
As many of our previous immigrant waves, our modern newcomers used these enclaves as a springboard to move out into the outer concentric urban rings. This is commonly called the “spill over” effect. As newcomers continue to flood the ethnic center, those already there will move out the ethnic enclave and seek new communities to settle in. Imagine a series of bowls being placed within each other. As you pour water in the center one, it fills up and the water flows over into the next one. This process is repeated. One can go today to Watts and Compton and find communities that were once predominantly black, and now have populations which are majority Hispanic. This is happening in every urban center whose structure follows the urban concentric growth pattern.
In Los Angeles, one can see this process in its truest form. The positive and negative byproducts of this urban migration impacts crime, politics, and demographics. Without understanding the spill-over effect, one cannot understand the dynamics of our urban centers.

History Does Not Repeat Itself

2006-03-27T08:36:00.000-08:00

Often, people will compare the last great immigration wave with the present one but there are several stark differences which greatly impact the notion that this wave will result in the same assimilation patterns:

Locality of Sender Nation: the mere fact that the largest sender nation (Mexico) borders the United States creates unique dynamics that a Germany or Greece never did.
History of State Relations: the American southwest was at one time part of Mexico. This fact is not lost on the radical fringe of the illegal immigration movement. While the majority of immigrants have no desire to “re-conquer” Aztlan, the manipulation of the subject could be used politically for the opportunistic demigod.
Communication/Travel: The low cost and convenient methods of travel whether by car or plane have afforded the modern day immigrant the luxury of visiting their homeland early 20th Century immigrants never imagined.
Media: Native language television, radio, print, and web publications enable the immigrant to stay immersed in their native culture and language to a far greater degree than in the past.
Duration/Size of Immigration Wave: The sheer size and uninterrupted flow of immigrants from one country (Mexico) is unprecedented and has placed immense strain on not only America’s ability to absorb, but also assimilate such large numbers.
Political Clout: The size of the potential Hispanic-immigrant voting block is staggering and presents unique dilemmas for politicians in the execution of their duties including introducing, passing, and enforcing tough immigration laws.

In California particularly Los Angeles, we have witnessed the power of these factors in the recent mayoral election and protests. More importantly, we have seen the emergence of a true Anglo/Hispanic society. California sets trends and is first to be exposed to changes which will eventually sweep the nation. America must acknowledge the impact of these factors and not naively assume past patterns will hold true today.

Let the Games Begin Talkwise

2006-03-26T23:51:00.000-08:00

The protests witnessed this weekend are the beginning of a long campaign by illegal immigrant supporters to threaten yet at the same time, gain sympathy from the majority of Americans. By presenting themselves as a massive block of humanity within our borders, average Americans fear that the fight over illegal immigration may "not be worth the trouble." Also, many Americans may be driven by the guilt that they were once an "immigrant" to condone the illegal immigration issue and not support HRC 4437. Talkwise will be publishing a series of immigration-related opinions over the next few weeks addressing the developments.

Talkwise's opinions and content seeks to inspire an honest and balanced debate on the issue of immigration. The are pros and cons to both sides and any action supporting either camp could have a profound impact on the long term social, economic, and political structure of our country...Talkwise