After the shooting some guards spoke to investigators and there is the possibility they were granted immunity in exchange for testimony. If so, this raises questions as to whether the trial will result in conviction of anyone. Ironically, one of the guards pleaded guilty. But, then again, the seventeen killed were only Iraqis!

Fasi Aka, a radio DJ who helped to launch the report, put it this way; “They don’t believe in anything firmly. Maybe they want sharia law, maybe they want democracy. It’s all over the place. But despite this there’s a lot of patriotism. So, it’s not a lost cause.” The real danger is creating a huge underclass of jobless young men and women willing to listen to any demagogue who can blame the rest of the world for the nation’s problems or urge violence as a solution.

Indonesia is upset that while the majority of refugees seek asylum in Australia, the Australian government insists that Indonesia should intercept the ships and intern the refugees in their nation. The general feeling of Indonesians is, “we can’t bear the responsibility alone.”

As an American I take umbrage on such comments. After all, we have been led by the greatest foe of terrorism in history–George Bush. Just remember there were no terrorists in Iraq until King George sent his army into that nation. We Americans know more about creating terrorism than any country on this planet. OK, so we are better at creating terrorists than capturing them, but you have to admit we are number one in terrorism in one aspect of life.

There is one problem that apparently has escaped the eyes of those proposing this law. Go to any newstand in any Muslim nation and there are bound to be daily newspaper and magazines which depict Judaism as a horrible religion. Does this mean we will have daily stoning to death of Muslim clerics?

On second thought it might be more beneficial for Muslims to live with the cartoons.

On which planet do these Canadian politicians live? Everyone who has any grasp of the Afghanistan government knows they not only have abused prisoners but in the aftermath of defeating the Taliban in 2001 they engaged in mass murder of prisoners!

UK, The Independent: “Inmates Let Out For Night”
At least this means crime will go down during the day.

Australia, Sydney Morning Herald: “Money Can Buy Love Say Economists”
Gee, I didn’t realize if I got a Ph.D in economics I would have such profound knowledge about life.

Israel, Haaretz: “Kosher Vampires”
They only drink blood that is blessed by a rabbi.

Kuwait, Kuwait Times: “Death Penalty Prevents People From Taking Their Own Lives”
I am so glad that you killed me rather then me killing me.

UK, Guardian: “Cameron Attacks Queen’s Speech”
Look Mr. Cameron, she is an old lady, give her a break.

Denmark, Copenhagen Post: “Penis Party Leaves Its Mark”
Deeply, I trust.

Sweden, The Local: “Health Officials Sent Letters To Dead Children”
Did they receive any answers?

Canada, Toronto Star: “High School Ditches Textbooks For Digital Readers”
How about ditching students for robot students?

Australia, Brisbane Times; “Somali Woman Stoned To Death For Adultery”
And, what happens to her lover– a reward?

One has the impression, Karzai had one too many drinks or he just took too much drugs to make these inane promises. The United States and NATO nations are in for the long haul, and it will not be that much better three years from now if the same crew is still running Afghanistan.

The unanswered question is how did a thirteen year old boy living in a foster home readily gain access to a shotgun? Didn’t anyone have the common sense to ensure the boy could not obtain a gun?

Only two teenage girls, aged sixteen and seventeen were charged with a crime. For some reason, a crowd of three dozen children can gather in public in Sweden, throw stones and threaten innocent people and the police could only identify two kids to charge with a crime. Is there something rotten in the state of Sweden? Why did people have to be escorted from their homes? Why weren’t forty kids escorted to jail? Just asking?

If Turkey does not make changes to protect children from being tried as adults and sent to prison for life, it may well wind up being another United States of America which allows such convictions. Turkey may also join the United States in allowing a high percent of child mortality. On the bright side, Turkish court officials could be sent to places like Texas and have a field day convicting children and sentencing them to life terms for crimes like rape.

So, one day in the near future, Palestinians will take to the street. There will be suicide bombers and innocent Israelis will die. Naturally, the Israel government will blame “terrorists” and tell the world this is what happens when you attempt to negotiate with Palestinians. Of course, nothing will be said by the deliberate campaign of Prime Minister Netanyahu to block meaningful dialogue for peace. In the end, the innocent on both sides die.

Clinton is the good loyal soldier ready to throw her body on the blade of anger in order to protect the president. However, when it comes to gaining respect for resolving problems, she confronts the reality that Obama appointed Richard Holbrooke to handle Afghanistan, Dennis Ross to deal with Iran and George Mitchell to take the limelight of the Palestinian-Israel conflict. So, where does that leave Hillary? Does she possess power or the illusion of power in the Obama administration?

The only surprise is why anyone is surprised. Former members of Congress, whether liberal, conservative, Democrat or Republican work anyone for the right price.

Former Israel foreign minister Tzipi Livni challenged Netanyahu in the Knesset by stating bluntly his policies has led to Israel being “delegitimized” in the eyes of the world and losing the trust of nations. Until Obama and Clinton are willing to confront Netanyahu on his twists and turns that make difficult the issues at stake, there is no hope any Palestinian government can negotiate with Israel. What does one expect from Palestinian leaders who are told by Netanyahu there can be no preconditions before negotiations while adding Abbas has to agree to recognize the Jewish state of Israel and not discuss return of refugees. When Netanyahu demands preconditions in the next breath he says there are no preconditions. This is truly a con man, extraordinaire!

Roxy McGuire, a school official displayed the incorrect response to the study by saying, “we’re going to have an anti-racism day today.” And, what about tomorrow? Racism can not be handled by a “day” or a week in which children receive a lecture about being nice to others. It requires a long term well designed program of developing relationships and dispelling misconceptions.

There is no question that each suicide is a unique decision and no one can ever state for certainty why person X or Y took his or her own life. But, certainly, there has never been a situation in which members of the military were repeatedly returned to combat over and over again without real rest time at home. The ongoing deployments among a relatively small fighting force of 1.5 million must be a factor. It is not like WWIi when over 12 million served in the armed forces which gave each person a sense they were part of a societal effort. Today, the brave men and women of our armed forces have been left alone to fight by 300,000,00 Americans. This must impact on their mental outlook of life–and death?

So, what does the western world do? No one in his right mind would seek to depend on this trio of incompetent corrupt individuals if the goal is securing peace in Afghanistan. But, President Obama would rather allow himself to be manipulated than to take a stand and say to Karzai-end corruption or we end our stay in Afghanistan. The assumption is if western nations leave, the Taliban will waltz into power. But, would they? Or would local chieftains and tribal leaders then engage in conflict with the Taliban?

One can only wonder how the father regards the son who distanced himself from jihad or violence or hatred of the United States and western nations. Is there anguish in the heart of Osama bin Laden or is there some element of pride that his son has selected another path in life. Who knows, only Osama does.

They are planet Earth people who are content to reside on this war-torn violent world since they assume violence is part of being a human. This is not a generation that would feel excitement to venture into the unknown places of the world after hearing John Kennedy propose a Peace Corps or promise to place a man on the moon within a decade. Their lives are not in the stars but on bed rock Earth. Yesterday, I shared my excitement about the discovery of water on the moon only to be met with blank stares that were more concerned with “what is the homework assignment?”

One can accept an inability to dream of world lying beyond the horizon, but few have any sense of passion about changing a society which contains 12 million unemployed and 45 million lacking health insurance. They do not challenge the basic defects of capitalism let alone have any ideas concerning alternative economic or social systems. They lack any solidarity with those who are oppressed except to donate a few cans at Thanksgiving for the “homeless.” Few realize that many formerly middle class people are now among the homeless and are now using food stamps in supermarkets to put food on the table.

A sense of narcissism pervades their world view. The world emanate from their being which prevents them from entering into the experiences of those who are struggling to survive in a dislocated economy. If you posed which changes in American society would create a more equitable world, the response would be silence. However, if you ask what they seek in life their faces would light up in animation.

The other day I was chatting with a manager of a Firestone store and he said; “Maybe this recession is good for people like me. It makes me think about what happened and why it happened. I never really thought about economics and recessions before, but now they are on my mind and how to prevent them.” Several times in classes I discuss the reality of the job market and several times students have chided me for having a “negative attitude.” The Dreamless Generation lacks a sense of today’s reality and prefers living in the reality of yesterday.

It becomes increasingly clear hope that Barack Obama could energize this Dreamless Generation is a hopeless view. His eloquence is a major strength, but his refusal to immediately take vigorous steps to make dramatic changes in the job situation or create an environment that projects change have resulted in a loss of faith in him as a man of action. Franklin Roosevelt took office in March, 1933 and within several months over two million unemployed people were at work building bridges, hospitals, schools as part of a massive effort to rebuild our infrastructure. Within a year even artists, writers, actors, musicians were using their talents to offer a vigorous new theater or providing music to people in every walk of life. imagine being a musician performing each day at Grand Central Station and feeling you are helping to make the lives of ordinary citizens more joyous. Imagine you are a nineteen year old boy clearing forests or planting trees to end the plague of drought. What is the Obama message concerning jobs– eventually they will be back.

Barack Obama is a symptom of the Dreamless Generation. He is a placator who seeks to calm the wealthy and powerful, and in the process he ignores the powerless and those without jobs. Health reform is important, but FDR waited three years before proposing Social Security because he realized unemployed people needed work–NOW – and they would do without health care if it meant getting meaningful work.

As an educator, I am shocked that the Obama–Arne Duncan education plan is predicated on the need to raise test scores at a time when America has among the lowest high school graduating rates in the world. A president who was a dreamer who begin with the dream of creating an education system based on needs of the 21st century rather than forcing children to memorize information based on a nineteenth century model of what constitutes being an educated person. Obama called for a new generation of automobiles but is content to maintain an old model of education that has not relevance to 21st century children. What if Secretary of Education Duncan issued a challenge to young educators to invent a 21st century model of education! Would that energize the Dreamless Generation?

Barack Obama relies on projecting intelligence rather than passion. He never becomes angry that 12 million are unemployed except to hold an “unemployment conference.!” Tea Party anger seeks to return to an imaginary past that never existed in order to protest the reality of what is. The Dreamless Generation needs a passionate leader who offers them the excitement of creating a new world. They need leadership ready to recast the present into a more equitable and just society rather than someone who comes across as being mainly concerned about stabilizing and enriching the powerful and wealthy. It is clear that Barack Obama is no Franklin Roosevelt, let alone a John Kennedy.

We need to energize the Dreamless Generation with hope by reaching beyond the stars we will be able to rethink the meaning of life on planet Earth. There is still time for Obama to reach out to the Dreamless Generation and offer them the world beyond the stars as they rebuild the world in which they inhabit.

UK, Guardian: “Chavez Calls For Dieting In Caracas”
To set an example he will diet his speeches to fifteen minutes.

Kuwait, Kuwait Times: “Mislem Files To Grill PM”
He will either do him well done or will barbecue the PM.

USA, Army Times: “Mom Refuses To Deploy To Care For Child”
Ah heck, bring him along, we could use all the bodies we can find.

South Africa, Argus: “Defense Minister Against War”
Please check withe the War Minister for someone who is for war.

Australia, Brisbane Times: “Rove Calls It A Night After Ten Years”
Well, he will have plenty of darkness where he is going.

Germany, Der Spiegel: “Promiscuous Penguins”
If you walk around well dressed I guess you pick up people rather easy.

Qatar, Khaleej Times: “janet Jackson Blames Doctors For Michael’s Death”
I have a hunch Michael had something to do with it.

Swaziland, Times Of Swaziland: “Teacher Student Lesbian Affair”
So who gets the A grade in this one.

UK, The Independent: “Female Viagra Trial A Success”
Wow, when the guy and the gal both use Viagra, there will be a hot time in the old town tonight.

It is now clear that any problems the United States has in the world is due to an American president who bows to kings. That is the cause of the decline in America’s prestige, it is not due to incompetent policies in Iraq or Afghanistan, it all stems from bowing. What kind of pansy do we have an president? Huh? Where are the tough minded leaders like George Bush and Dick Cheney who can cause over 4,000 young Americans to die? Please bring back leaders who shake hands and let’s impeach this lilly livered character who doesn’t know how to represent America? Up with the handshake, down with the bow? Or, should I say, up with the bow and down with the handshake?

Perhaps, the most telling statistic is last year 4.8 million Americans made use of private food pantries in order to survive. Ah, the blessings of living in a capitalist society instead of one of those SOCIALIST ones where people receive adequate food.

Ah the vagaries of life in the year 2009. I suspect any loud noise on a plane soon persuades the crew they are in danger. By the way, what happens to passengers who complain about food or drink on the flight? Are they removed for causing a disturbance?

Step one in any divide and conquer strategy is creating a new alliance of tribal leaders who would serve as the temporary government of Afghanistan until such time as a more permanent government organization could be created.

If an individual is rated as “mediocre” and lazy shouldn’t that in itself be a red flag? There were numerous complaints from his patients they did not relate to the doctor, but those feelings did not alert anyone.

Palestinians and Arab nations are frustrated at the refusal of the Netanyahu government to halt settlement construction and the apparent back-sliding of Barack Obama to carry out his promise of being an independent mediator. Right wing bully, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman warned of a “unilateral move on our part.” But, Israel has been making unilateral decisions for over a decade! It is time for the European Union to stand behind the legitimate rights of Palestinians.

Habib Ramadani tried to hold a wedding reception for his son but was told by Svensson, “not for you, you all throw cake on the floor instead of in your mouths.” I guess out of the mouths of jerks come such profound observations on the state of modern marriage. Isn’t it wonderful how self righteous people like Svensson complain about divorce or the demands of gays to marry and devote their lives to preventing marriage?

Students did ask some questions, or, at least, the questions they were given to pose by government officials. There are reports Obama and President Hu Jintao will have a press conference, but one should expect it will consist of statements from the two leaders, no questions and a quick departure.

An attendee commented with a sigh, “I was expecting a party, not a lesson.” Another noted, “I feel very offended with regard to my religion.” From early accounts there are no signs of anyone rushing to the side of the Young Leader and swearing to become a Muslim.