Who is responsible for the conflict in Gaza?

A six month cease-fire between the terrorist organization, Hamas, and Israel recently ended with Hamas increasing the number of unguided missiles that it lobbed into Israel to about 70 a day.

Seventy chances a day to kill innocent Israelis: fortunately most of these "dumb missile" attacks are not lethal - but tragically four Israelis have recently been murdered by them.

Israel tolerated constant low-level attacks against its civilian population during the recent cease-fire, and is now appropriately responding to escalating terrorist attacks from within Gaza.

One of the most important responsibilities of a government is the protection of it’s citizens. Israel has no moral choice other than to do whatever it can to end Hamas' indiscriminant terrorist attacks.

The people of Gaza unfortunately participated in electing Hamas, a terrorist organization, into power within the Palestinian National Authority. This has weakened the more moderate and Israel-tolerant Fatah party.

Since gaining de facto power in Gaza, Hamas has constantly provoked Israel. The ordinary people of Gaza who have politically supported this group are now paying a terrible price, especially given the willingness of Hamas to shield military targets by locating them within civilian areas.

Israel clearly has no interest in harming Palestinian civilians (given it’s development and use of expensive smart weapons designed to reduce exposure of civilians and non-military structures and equipment). Unfortunately, despite these efforts, unintentional collateral damage has not been entirely avoided, and will certainly continue.

I hope that civilians in proximity to military targets will flee, while doing what they can to convince their government that they these targets should be moved.

I also hope that Israel will quickly and decisively eliminate Hamas and its ability to threaten innocent Israelis. Only with the end of terrorist control (that has consistently been committed to the destruction of Israel) will ordinary Palestinians (or common Gazans) be freed from violence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG0CzM_Frvc

Middle Class Responsibility

There's been a lot of political talk about how the middle class needs help, and about where that help should come from.

The Left seems to believe that money should be taken in the form of taxes from corporations and the rich (defined as those earning $250K/year or more) and given to the less fortunate middle class (in the form of a tax cut).

As a member of the middle class, its hard not to be at least a bit enthusiastic about the prospect of such a proposed arrangement. Afterall, what do those greedy bastards need all that money for?

If we're going to adopt this sort of reasoning, its only fair to evaluate what we middle classers need that money for too.

It might be nice to have a new car, but I don't really need it. It might be nice to plan to send kids to a private university, but I learned plenty at relatively low-cost state institutions. I'm a bit overweight and so, if anything it might actually be good for me to eat out less. It might be nice to have a less run-down house, but moving would be a major pain and we have way more than adequate shelter already. If I were one of the idiots that bought a house I couldn't afford, it might be nice to not have to move, but that kind-of takes the incentive out of not being an idiot - is this something that we as a nation can afford?

On the topic of incentive, what message would redistribution send to greedy corporations and the rich bastards? If I were rich or the greedy leader of an amoral corporation, I'd be thinking about where I could go and keep more of what is mine or my organization's. Redistribution would tend to drive the successful (and all that ill-gotten money) out of the country. We, the middle class would be left, and our nation, on average would become poorer.

Maybe this increased poverty would result in the middle class being viewed as relatively rich. And then the redistribution cycle could turn again, only the next time the not-so-poor would become the target of the really impoverished.

This idiotic idea that wealth can be "redistributed" without degrading the nation as a whole is so superficial that I cannot imagine how half a nation of relatively well-educated citizens can't immediately see right through it. Any leader promiting this type of plan must be either stupid, or dishonest. I'm leaning toward dishonest. Dishonesty in this case is irresponsible (and down right dangerous).

Growing up isn't easy for anyone...

Let's see if I understand the Left's position...

Criticism of a President that molests a 20 year-old intern in the Oval Office with a cigar, and costs taxpayers millions in the resulting investigation - is inappropriate because "it was just lying about sex".

But it is somehow reasonable to critisize the parents of a 17 year-old daughter that gets in trouble with her boyfriend and keeps the baby?

The only way that I can see that it might be reasonable to hold both of these positions simultaneously is if the person in question is a teenager, or has the emotional and behavioral maturity of a teenager.

Adults can AND SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO control their behavior. Those of us who were once teenagers know that it was virtually impossible to avoid risky behavior during that awkward period of development. No one survives the teenage years unscathed. Some of us are forced to grow up faster than others. Those that find themselves in that position deserve our compassion and support. It could have happened to any of us.

To those who are critical of the mistakes of a teenager - have a good look in the mirror, and try to leave your adolescence behind.

Disneyland and the problem of “a culture of fantasy”

Americans love Disneyland. It’s the "happiest place on Earth". It’s the place where “all your dreams come true”. The problem is that the happiness is not real, and dreams are only temporarily fulfilled.

These seemingly positive effects only last as long as visiting families’ bank accounts allow (and with $5 hotdogs and $300 hotel rooms, this isn’t long for most Americans). On the trip home the reality of squandered savings and rapid resumption of day-to-day life can only seem more depressing. And so the urge to return to false happiness is almost immediate.

This type of fantasy is a drug. It circumvents our normal feelings of happiness and content that are there to reward us for working on our lives and in our communities to improve them. Instead of enjoying the satisfaction of working hard to make real improvements at home, fantasy vacations (Disneyland, Las Vegas, cruises to nowhere) only provide opportunities to flee real problems and avoid opportunities for improved living.

Americans have a cultural background of seeking opportunities for a better life. Fantasy vacations take advantage of this tendency and misappropriate resources and energy that should be devoted to real accomplishment.

Real improvement in our lives is the only thing that should make us happy.

Finally, an example of responsible behavior in public school

Texas School District Will Let Teachers Carry Guns

Check the story out here: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,404721,00.html

This public school district will allow teachers with permits to carry concealed handguns in class.

This is an EXCELLENT example of taking responsibility for one's own safety and that of the community. We have a moral obligation to defend our communities. The legal nature of this obligation has essentially been forgotten - you can read about it here: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/10/311.html

If you depend on the government or local law inforcement for your personal safety, you are a victim waiting to happen.

Where is the tar? Rip open that pillow for feathers

I seem to remember from so very long ago that is was essentially impossible as a young adult to "stay out of trouble". The urge is so dammed strong - and after having kids I understand that proliferation of the human race has depended upon the early magnitude of this drive.

Back then a couple of beers, some laughing and dancing and the next thing you knew clothes were flying off. While they were still in the air you knew you may regret it later, but in the heat of the moment there was little that mere mortal young adults could do about it.

As a middle-aged man I can only look back fondly on the fur having flown. Like trying to read anything without glasses, it just ain't going to happen again.

With maturity there is more control - and there is more reason to be controlled. I have a duty to my wife and family to behave. To misbehave is to jeapordize their welfare. When we were young, single and stupid we put ourselves at risk, which sometimes caused problems, but not for others that we made commitments to.

Now a large fraction of our society has accepted immature behavior engaged in by full-grown men who know better - "its just lying about sex..."

No, it is not just lying about sex when you're a married man with children - it's a despicable betrayal of those who should be able to trust you the most.

When you're a public figure who an entire nation of children and young adults look to for an example of how to behave, it is a serious crime.

When you betray a spouse who is battling a life-threatening disease...it becomes horrible beyond description.

The fact that we as a society are tolerating this should be clear evidence that we need REAL "Change We Can Believe In". This isn't part of the socialism that Obama is selling.

I have a dream

I'm not writing this from the viewpoint that I'm better - I've screwed-up plenty and have let others down - but I recognize the value of trying very hard to do my best to avoid future bad behavior (but I know damn well that I’ll screw-up again).

It bothers me that "trying very hard to do your best" to be responsible seems to have become unfashionable.

Cynicism toward good behavior has crept into our culture. This is a real danger to us all.

It has become clear to me that America is threatened by this increasingly pervasive lack of expectation of personal responsibility.

A free society depends upon the responsible behavior of its citizens.

As free men and women as part of a greater society it is essential to recognize that we have social duties and responsibilities.

Good social order depends upon our collective fairness, honesty and service to ourselves, our families and our community.

This seemed to be well-appreciated through about WWII and then something happened - but I'm not sure exactly what.

I intend to use this blog to document some of the cases of irresponsibility that I become aware of, and analyze their impact and possible resolution.

I hope that this may ultimately result in development of strategies to restore the expectation of personal responsibility that is so important to our free society.