Support Israel!

I have been trying to figure out how best to make a comment about the current situation in the Middle East. I am too tired to give too many defenses of what I feel is the obvious course of action for our nation (and for any nation that would live free). But a couple of days ago, a friend asked a question that I did attempt to answer, and since then I haven't found a better way of approaching the issue. So, here is his question (in italics) and here's my answer (in plain text).

Palestinians on T.V. and Americans at home are asking two questions:
1) What exactly constitutes the distinction between criminal, terrorist, and enemy soldier?

Criminals...that's a tricky question. A good definition of an illegal enemy combatant would be someone that did not recognize or fulfill any of the conditions that confer legal status to combatants. A good question to ask when deciding if someone is defined as a criminal and law breaker is: with regard to which legal issues? Its hard to use legal labels on people that contest the basis of various systems of laws. Technically, if they never agreed to enter into the legal contract, and their nation never agreed to enter into a legal contract and recognize certain common laws...are they criminals? Hard to say. They aren't breaking laws they have agreed (even tacitly) to adhere to. At a certain point, most people seem to say, whether you agree or not, there is a rule of law and operating outside of it constitutes an illegal action, and whether you recognize the power of that law or not matters very little.

Terrorists could be summarized as being non-conventional combatants that target non-combatants, if not solely, than at least primarily, with a variety of potential end goals. That said, there terrorists and then there are terrorists. Domestic terrorists work against their nation's governmental system--again, targeting in a deliberate fashion non-combatants. International terrorists work against other nation's governmental systems, usually apart from their own nation's forces and targeting non-combatants with their efforts.

I would note that this would eliminate the suggestion that Washington and crew fall into the category of "terrorists". Being *unrecognized* doesn't make you a terrorist...its attacking civilians that makes you a terrorist. Guerilla warfare is often associated with terrorism, because guerillas don't use conventional warfare...but I think there is a definite distinction between guerillas and terrorists.

Enemy soldiers are conventional soldiers of a state. I think the key term is soldier...to be a soldier implies actual enlistment in a formalized military. Generally they wear uniforms. Certainly their actions can be attributed to the decisions of the state.

I would classify members of al Qaeda and Hezbollah as terrorists. They operate primarily against civilians, with political aims as their end goal. They are not guerillas. They are not enemy soldiers. They are illegal combatants/criminals.

2) What are the roles and rules for American/coalition/Israeli forces operating against the combatants listed in question 1?

Well, our policy should be fairly straightforward. To not support Israel would be a disastrous back-flip in the face of serious confrontation of our official international policy, to say nothing of catering to what can only be considered terrorists whilst turning our backs on one of our staunch-est allies. The terrorists have as an end goal a plan that will launch the widest spread conflict since WWII. With Iranians and Syrians supporting the fighters in Lebanon, if Israel does what it is prepared to do, the entire Middle East becomes a shooting gallery. We must side with Israel, purposely and pre-emptively, so that everyone knows that we're ready to go to the mattresses over this. Appeasement will not avert disaster...stating clearly that we stand ready to go to war over Israel's right to defend itself from terrorists just might though.

There's a lot in play with this situation. Our international policy, via the Bush doctrine, has shifted to one of pre-emptive intervention should the need arise to maintain our security and peace. A war in the Middle East constitutes a serious problem. More than that, I wonder how long any amount of meetings with French diplomats will prevent Iran from pushing the nuclear envelope if they are gearing up for an all out conflict with Israel, as the Iranian president has repeatedly stated he is ready and waiting to do.

China and Russia support Iran. N. Korea is hardly in need of an excuse to position itself against our allies. Pakistan doesn't like Israel, and they are also nuclear. Its no secret that the Middle East is only waiting for a spark to explode. It doesn't help that, even after Israel has withdrawn from the Gaza Strip and conceded quite a lot to people that use terrorism tactics, the attacks don't stop. Defenders of free societies should be united against anyone that stands against Israel right now.

As to your question about how to deal with terrorists and how they can be "brought to justice"...I would say this...terrorists can be captured and held accountable to the laws of the wider international community. More importantly, the states that complacently tolerate or encourage and actively sponsor terrorists can be held accountable to legal standards of the international community. I think more needs to be done than that, since the legal consequences of breaking the rules of the international community usually amount to sanctions...but it can be done. I think our approach to Afghanistan and Iraq is a great example of the way to handle nations with ties to terrorism. Both were handled legally, and we chose to use the resources available to us to see to it that the law was upheld (something most nations don't care to do...)

I am man....hear me roar!

Lately I have read 10 minutes of GK Chesterton's Everlasting Man every night at work. Its wonderful. It makes me feel civilized. It makes me feel sane. It makes me feel...like a man.

Not feel masculine...I don't need help with that. No; it makes me feel like a man.

HuMan.

To Reason...or Not.

"Regardless, he's still a jackass."

I was completely shocked. How can anyone be comfortable living in a world where their summation of an argument is something so concise and final as the dismissive "Regardless, he's still a jackass." Not an answer. Not a counter-argument. Just dismissal.

Regardless.

Hmph.

I have heard of these types of people...but this was my first personal encounter. I revealed to yet another person in my workplace that I am, indeed, a Republican. This was greeted with forseeable distaste, and then Bush-bashing. "That man is the worst President ever--he's a jackass!" Summarizing the war as a family thing, all about oil, etc. They laughed at the suggestion that WMD had actually been found...I chuckled and said...but they have been. Chemical weapons that were illegal for Saddam to possess. Found...apparently found a while ago...I admit, I have no idea why that didn't make a larger wave 3 years ago, but that doesn't change the fact--they were found. I told them that those were great talking points, but that they had very little to do with reality. They were ready for me--they asked how I knew anything; they asked, you know, if I knew anyone in politics?!?! I smiled...and asked if they had any proof that those talking points had merit. They looked confused...and dismissed me. Insults and dismissal.

Regardless.

Hmph.

Its not an uncommon tactic apparently. I have suspected as much, but there are suddenly plenty of great examples of bitterness and ignorance overshadowing the facts...especially as more and more facts turn up that suggest that perhaps the momentum to impeach the President isn't quite as well founded as some might have thought.

Now...I could go into a rant about this or that political idea...but I'm not going to. That there are people that disagree with me without reason is hardly a new thought...and I would rather use my time discussing things with people with reason that disagree with me--at least then we might grow in the process.

The thing I am most shocked by is this realization...people really don't want to learn and discuss actually the ideas that divide us. They want to avoid those ideas. They don't want to discuss things that matter with truth...they want to hear the things they want to hear...and hearing something they don't want to hear is uncomfortable. There are actually people that don't want to deal with it...in any way shape or form. I've known this...but I cannot help but feel a little bit of sad awe at this realization...how can you live in this world and feel any sense of peace but be unable to discuss real ideas and be interested in finding actual truth. The search for truth doesn't begin by hearing always and only people that agree with you.

This sad little discussion ended with them saying that politics was like religion...its something you just don't talk about.

I wanted to pull out my hair. Politics is something you don't talk about? Religion is something you don't talk about? In a society of *free speech*, these are the things you don't talk about?

Sigh.

And, since the word "jackass" is being thrown around...lets not forget which party is the proud party of the jackass...

Spineless or Tactful?

One of the *benefits* of looking for work is having the opportunity to see a variety of different management styles, and to work on your interviewing skills. I believe I am getting progressively better at the whole process...the only hitch seems to come from the people I apply too. I say this with a certain sense of self-effacing humor...I know I am not perfect...but I think I am generally hirable, and whatever mistakes I may have made in the past I am not making currently when it comes to work--with full modesty, I'll tell you--I kick ass in my work place. I have the reviews to prove it.

Now, of course, I am not knocking managers of jobs that I apply for when I am not clearly qualified. A great example would be the job at ECCU...I wasn't particularly qualified for it and they filled it internally, so it wasn't overly discouraging.

But the jobs for which I am either perfectly qualified or even overly qualified...when I get treated bad while applying for those jobs, that's just kinda a kick in the teeth. I have had two great experiences applying for jobs...both of which have ended up with employment. I have had plenty of experiences where, in response to a very eager application by myself, potential employers were unreasonable...demeaning...uninterested...dismissive...and down right rude.

Which brings me to my ultimate question...as an applicant for a job...when is the general rudeness of a potential boss too much to stand, and when do you suck it up for the sake of an income?

For a *career* oriented position...How desperate do you have to be to accept the job from the person that makes you feel less than an intelligent adult? Is it worth it? Is a boss entitled to be rude to you (always assuming its not abuse in the work-place)? More importantly, when applying for a job, how much should your decisions be influenced by the behavior of your potential boss? Do you judge the book by its cover, having nothing else to go by?

It seems idealistic, to say that while they consider you, you consider them. It rarely works out that way...I have actually had an experience with a job of that nature...it was wonderful, and I look forward to working with them in part because of how great it was to apply to work for them. But that was an enigma.

Most application processes are something much different. Its expected that demands will be made...but in several discussions of potential work situations I have had over the past several months...its not my work behavior that's being discussed. Its my life and my family's life. Potential employers are making pre-emptive demands on things unrelated to work...and treating me with dismissive disdain.

And I have to ask myself...first, where the hell do they get the nerve to make such demands...and second, how should I respond when I am in the position I am in (trying desperately to find provision for my family). When the money isn't good enough, I can turn them down with a clear conscience...but when the money is enough to make the position tempting...where does dignity factor into finding a job? I cannot be happy if I cannot provide for my family...but then again, I feel like less than a man when I take a job with people that treat me like less than one.

So...are you being tactful when you ignore the humiliation your employer (and sometimes merely potential employer) heaps upon you in the course of your interaction with them? Or are you being spineless?

My wife says "No one can make you feel small except yourself." Which, I suppose, is a truism. Its just difficult to be lectured on the amount of respect expected from you should you be allowed to work for an organization, but to receive little or no respect yourself.

Perhaps its merely pride that urges me to reject their *opening* and throw their repulsive manners in their face. Nothing seems more satisfying sometimes than the thought of being rude to rude people. Man's justice in its prime.

Today I sat through an "interview" which was humilating in its absurdity. To say I don't take my potential employer seriously after meeting with them today would be an understatement. Every problem I had with the arrangement with the GLC this new place has...only they have those problems on steroids and they're looking for a fight. To say I was an after thought as I sat in their office trying to be interviewed would also be a gross understatement. I loathe the very thought of having to work for this organization...but I might have to.

I am not certain what frustrates me more...having to apply to work for people that have such poor management skills (yet, defying logic, are the managers), or the thought that I might have to take the job, even after finding out all that about them.

Sigh.

I'll keep looking and pray to God that I might avoid a year of agonizing in that place. Still...if this is the road that lays before us...its the road the Lord has promised to walk with us on. There is comfort in that.

This next year will not be an easy one...and as Summer pushes on, the question of what the Fall will look like weighs heavily upon me. My blogging has ended with prayers more and more, if you've noticed. I have been learning the need of prayer. The time has come to end this post.

Lord Jesus keep us. We are lost without Your hand to guide us and we are overwhlemed unless You sustain us.

Welcome to the High Country

Its Summer. That much is obvious. The signs of the times are everywhere...

We wear tank tops, all day, every day.

We wear shorts, all day, every day--sometimes to church (one of the few actual positive aspects of living in SoCal...this is acceptable and during the Summer its nearly a necessity...whether you should wear shorts or not).

We go swimming, pools and the beach.

We do the BBQ (last night actually...if you didn't, all I can say is, very likely my dinner was better than yours).

Frappuccinos are more in style than ever.

And chances are, if you're young, in love, and possibly done with school, you're getting married. Because this is the season of weddings.

Now, it might seem odd that *I* would be writing about weddings. I am, after all, a guy. And I am married--have been for three years now--what possible reason could I have to think about weddings? Sheri and I aren't renewing our vows after three years (how wierd and self-involved would that service be? Everyone would be thinking..."Weren't we just here?")

No.

I am thinking about weddings because, as might be expected, I have several friends that have either gotten married this Summer or are scheduled to do so before the end of the season. And having lived through this mayhem, I know what they are experiencing. Its a nightmare. Having survived this nightmare, I thought I would share my wisdom.

Now, first, as an important disclaimer...when I say weddings are a nightmare, I don't mean that I hated ours. I loved our wedding...it was excellent. My wife was amazing and her vision for that day was beautiful...and it is a thing of beauty that we will always share. I honestly don't think there were many things we would have changed about how it went, even in retrospect.

No, when I say, "Its a nightmare." what I mean, of course, is that the build-up to the wedding is essentially purgatory for the heaven that awaits. Its worse than anything anyone that is going to get married could have anticipated for such a joyous occasion. Even in the best of circumstances...nothing is easy when it comes to weddings.

I honestly think its a little amazing you manage to get married and still have family and friends that want to talk to you. Referencing my earlier disclaimer...our family and friends were incredibly generous and helpful. I merely wonder how we all managed to survive and still like each other afterwards.

Because there are so many opportunities for disaster on the road to the wedding, a lot of them revolving around two basic questions: who is involved with what, and the issue of thanking everyone for everything. Which family hosts what events. What friends play which part--do they earn a spot in the wedding party or not?, etc. And then, the "thank you"'s, which you'd better do or you'll probably burn in hell. At least, you'll probably burn in effigy. Oh yes, don't neglect the thank you's...

Gifts as a whole are a sticky issue. The family and friends...they look on it as "Well, I am giving something, they should be grateful!" And for the couple, they are thinking "If you want to give us something, can't you give us things we need or have asked for?" Both are valid points, and both will bring up stress and tension where none should exist. The reality of the situation is, gifts are gifts. But wedding gifts carry more baggage than the newly-weds will on their honeymoon.

Hoo-boy its a mess. The wind-up in the week before is truly insane. Depending on what type of people are involved in the wedding, there may be more tears or more yelling or more stressful multi-tasking than there will ever be again (at least, in the next three years). I spent one on the two days before my wedding driving all over L.A. getting stuff that should have been conveniently located in our neighborhood. Things like this are unavoidable and will inevitably add to the stress that is wearing on everyone.

The day itself, from my experience, flies by. And it is remarkably stress free until the church doors open and the bride steps through the archways. At that moment...well, lets say that in my experience that's the moment most grooms tend to almost unhinge...in a good way, of course. Cause she's actually there...and there's something really incredible about that. At that moment...(I clarify for the sake of my wife) the groom feels very much as if he cannot stand any longer...wants to shout out loud with joy...wants to ditch the whole thing and run away with the beautiful woman walking down the asile to him...all at once. We unhinge...only for a moment and mostly only internally. Now I sound like a girl, gushing. Sheesh.

And the reward for all the stress and build-up of the wedding prep? Sex. Yes, sex...and a new life. Getting used to another person in an entirely new way and coming to understand what a lifetime commitment means...which will, inevitably, be accompanied by its own special type of stress and difficulties.

Marriage is difficult. Getting married is quite hard...not harder than marriage itself, but the whole thing is a difficult thing.

But fear not! The wisdom of one that has been happily wed for 3+ years is this: for all the hard parts...marriage is worth it all and more. Its the high country...and its not easy to get to the high country...its not even easy to survive in the high country...but it can be done. And when you do it...wow is the high country a good country.

Good luck to all you newly wed and soon-to-be newly weds! God bless and keep you in this new chapter of your lives! And don't worry...the wedding and the newly wed ear of your life doesn't last forever...enjoy it for what its worth and endure the hard parts for the good that comes after them!

Happy 4th

Have a good Fourth of July.

Celebrate 230 years of meaningful liberty and freedom.

This is a good country we've made. Thank God for it.