Fate of the Displaced Children from the South

Long before I started writing in blog format, I traveled the world.  One of my destinations was Guatemala City upon more than one occasion.

I heard rumors that the police there were harassing youth gangs.  More than harassing, I heard they would round up a bunch of these wayward kids and shoot them dead.  To be sure, kids were a menace downtown to businesses.  They would haunt the bus stations wanting food and money from bus passengers.  They plagued local establishments, as they committed vandalism and theft from customers and store-owners alike including fast food restaurants.  But though I saw some of their public acts in the course of their being pests, even to cars in traffic, I never saw, though heard about this police and military alleged response.

I would stay at the International Hotel downtown, so I was indeed witness to some things. But what is more, I saw and talked with Catholic nuns, whom I took to be concerned for these children's well-being.  But I was not writing tomes at the time and had more pressing items of concern and so paid little attention to the question, what could be done to help these children, other than assuming that the Catholics could try to help them?

However, since the current flood of kids coming up from via Mexico, I became grateful that the US is doing something good.  You know the Republicans are probably right--this social problem in Central America--Honduras, Guatemala, etc. has been going on for years; but I never thought that the US could do something on behalf of these street kids.  Truly, they are here in the US  as displaced persons with no home and no hope; and must come with fear of being murdered should they be left in their native land, even as so many have come to meet that fate over the years, so I have heard.  Moreover, maybe some good will come from the President's conversations with the Central American Presidents

In any case, these children represent no threat to the US security, and it is preposterous to permit them to fall in the hands of a national guard unit, as Governor Perry is advocating, or to treat them as likely criminals here, despite whatever misdemeanors they have committed in their homelands.

Should they be permitted to stay in the US, I am confident that most will become law-abiding and prosperous members of the communities in which they will grow up and mature.

Incidentally, should we not thank the many philanthropic organizations that are sponsoring them once they are accepted on our US shores?  The President has asked for $4 billion but due to the generosity of Americans, these children are being welcomed and accepted, in a land foreign to them but in which they have come to trust and believe in, largely due to the reception and treatment they are receiving on our shores!  Really, again the Republicans are right:  there need be no federal special grants meted out to these Hispanic-born displaced children, for they have already been welcomed and American hospitality provided them.

You say, how about the extra social services they impose upon the already over-burdened social agencies and educational systems throughout the country.  Frankly, the numbers of them are minuscule compared to the numbers of refugees that Jordan and Turkey have had to accept as the Syrian war continues.  We must do our share to overcome the disasters of human abuse and death that plague the planet; no one is asking for saintly effort, just serious efforts to show compassion and concern for our fellow men, women and children.
      

Playing the Yuppie Game

I was looking to find a city in Texas that I could call home after my disastrous physical debilitation that caused me to leave Las Vegas in great haste for fear of my life!

I thought maybe I'd try Austin, Texas.  When I arrived on Greyhound, I discovered I had to take a taxi, costing $20, to arrive downtown.  There didn't seem to be any obvious bus transportation to the center of town from the very far north, where the bus station is located.

I tried a few motels recommended to me by a taxicab driver.  Nothing I could afford.  I then simply walked around on Congress Street; and discovered to my chagrin that I had entered Yuppie land.  The distinguishing features of being in Yuppie land is nobody wants to notice you.  They are intent on keeping focus on their own affairs, so that to them, you do not exist.  They enjoy the landscape of smart, new buildings or restored old ones to which they must go in to accomplish whatever they're about. Employees that I asked for directions from gave me the phone book and said, "Look it up!"

I went into a St. Vincent de Paul thrift store and asked where was the nearest homeless shelter and soup kitchen.  They needed to look it up, while I waited the ten minutes.  They simply reported it's on Noches Street, forgetting to add how I might get there.  Really, I didn't think they knew.  It was obvious they were not concerned with whether or not I was homeless.

The people on the streets tended to be young, upcoming.  Determined, they were intensely concerned to achieve their own projects, the most blatant by their actions and regard for me, even when I asked them a question, was "I'm out to get mine.  Get away; you can't help me!"  But they seemed to relate well to the one with whom they were walking or getting into their car or entering a plush address.

I understand that Dallas is similarly snobbish; and I know, because I've been there several times, that Oklahoma City, former home of Timothy McVey, is another city filled with snobs, disdainful of the common man or worse, the poor.  Santa Barbara, where I've stayed upon occasion borders on it but there's the beach which attracts the nondescripts and the local police to monitor their conduct.

The reason I found this circumstance in Austin so disconcerting is that I like some of the things Rick Perry has done during his tenure as governor of the state.  Yet, Austin is the state's capital.  How would he really feel towards the poor and indigent; toward the Latino kids who have entered the country in refugee status.  Would he be devoted to make sure that the Yuppies found it easy to exist in a world where they could avoid the poor and people in need of governmental assistance?  I don't know.  But I know that Austin is not the place for poor people to live.  Indeed, some persons let me in on the local secret: if you're poor, try San Antonio. but stay away from Austin!  

      

Self-determined Independence in The Russian Federation

The many years ago, when I was in Russia, working on its new Constitution (that is still in effect) , I held to the principle that, through self-determination, any peoples could declare itself  an independent state or political entity, separating itself from the rest of the known state.  So long as the newly created entity could be financially viable.

So, I did not complain or raise objection when part of Georgia, with the help of Russia, went independent.  Apparently, it's worked well for them.

Nor did I complain much when the Crimea went independent, and then subsequently, joined Russia.  I could see that Russia was significantly committed to paying the bills for it, because the site would pay for itself once the seaport (that China is building) is completed.

However, the story is different for the Eastern Ukraine.  Here, Putin is permitting a band of Russian hoodlums to control the separatist government, such as it is.  Moreover, these hoodlums are proving too much for even the Russian government to handle.  What has happened is that there's a cannon loose in international politics, destroying world order, not just limited to the Ukraine.  Action must be taken to get these hoodlums out of power.  Moreover, the Eastern Ukraine could never sustain itself financially.

Israel's Invasion of Gaza

I've sometimes contacted the Israeli government over the past thirty years or so, and I've gotten the impression their concept of international politics as it pertains to them is in the quotation, "Let some other organization be responsible; not us, not Israel!"  -- "Let the United Nations be responsible for the Palestinians living on our land, not us!"  "Let the United states push for a two-state solution between the Israelis and the Palestinians" when they know that the Palestinians have no money to be an independent state.  Very well, let the US go ahead with its proposal and see where it leads.  NOWHERE!

But recently, they have taken a more responsible role in affairs close to home.  They have sought to stabilize the Syrian situation through military action on their part.  They continue to keep the crazy Hezbollah militants in check.  And now just in the past ten days they are declaring responsibility for Gaza. Specifically, they are aiming to wipe out the Hamas-militants who have assumed power over the Palestinians in Gaza.  They are intent on expanding their military might to include the entire peninsula.  This is indeed an internationally responsible course of action for the world power that Israel is.  It also displays wise ownership of its lands, regardless of who are the occupants.      

I Ran out of Las Vegas for my life's breath!

I was enjoying Las Vegas tremendously.  I had a neat apartment.  Everything was fine.  For nearly a year.

Then, the heat of this past summer arrived.  At first, I had only a minor rash under my arms.  Then, it spread like wildfire throughout my arms and legs and back.  I bought calamine lotion to spray to alleviate, though it didn't help.

Then, came the difficult-to-breathe encounters I experienced. The final one was the moment before I got my duffel bag out and filled it with temporary provisions.  I tell you, it was as if my lungs would not accept any air because they were blocked.  It came and it went, so between times I did breathe.  I left immediately in a state of fear.

It is true, I was not using air conditioning because of the expense involved, but I had bought a fan to help circulate the air.  At the end, just before leaving early in the morning when the air was fresh and cooler, I was able to breath and to get the air into my body.

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aftermath:

1.  On Greyhound, I got talking to a man who said he was an occasional chef in Vegas.  He confessed that he could not work summers in Vegas because the air was too oppressive for him.

2.  People here in El Paso know of the problem in Vegas.  These people explained to me that only some people are affected--and, I think it is true--and generally, they must stay in Vegas awhile before the high pressure or whatever it is that attacks the lungs makes it dangerous to try to breathe there.

3.  Needless to say, the heat rash has gone away and I don't have any problem breathing, less more than one so life-threatening as I experienced in Vegas.

Why don't they tell people, especially older seniors not to live there?

4.  I saw a movie on HBO last night--Leaving Las Vegas--intimating that drunks go to Gegas, and they leave.  But there's more important reasons for leaving than just one's own inclinations and whims.  How about one's being able to stay alive?

Have people died in Vegas because they didn't read the signs in themselves of not being able to breathe; of their body being overwhelmed with rash and discomforture?  Maybe, some being too drunk to realize?

The Muslim Revolution: Hooray!

I am Christian.  Nevertheless, I support Arab Spring results and the Renaissance of the Muslim Religion.

I am addressing this communique primarily to the Islamic potentiates in Saudi Arabia, because you hold the keys to Islam..

What we are seeing in northern Syria and in Iraq is a gathering of forces whose identity is first and foremost not that of a nation or a sect, but simply the beliefs in Islam; and they are fighting and are dying for a land for their people, much like Israel has done over the years. They obviously are aware of how the Western countries have taken advantage of them for centuries.  But the fight against them has been won.  Islam is growing all over the world, despite what the Russians have tried to do to quell; and I have done my very best and will do my very best to make sure the US will not suppress the movement toward a resurgence of Islam across the world for the good of those who believe.  I'm not crazy.  I respect and love you, the followers of Malcolm-X.

But the Egyptian military and the Turkish military will support any arrangement you Muslims draw together on.   Rely on them to give direction.  If you think a Caliphate will work then go to it.  But then, you've got Saudi Arabia and Katar against you.  They may not be part of the Arab Spring, but Jordan and the Hezbollah all over the world will do as you say for the sake of Muslim unity, I can assure you.

I don't care if they're Muslim "crazies" roaming about.  I told Israel shoot them and get rid of them; and I'm backing the Israeli effort tremendously.  But if the Arab Spring is to work with your input I want them to work with the  Hezbollah to end the violence in Syria.

I think if the Hezbollah will  contact the Christians in the countries contiguous to them, they'll be successful in ruling Lebanon..  I understand their dilemma--kids and residents being sacrificed because they die from the hands of  Assad.

But there is need for Muslim leadership to assert itself in Syria and in the West Bank, which actually is  under Israeli control.  Hezbollah and Lebanon being dominated by the Hezbollah only to the extent that they further the aims of the region's independence, giving Lebanon once again place for the Europeans to live a good life there. And, nearly every European wealthy wants to live there, even if under Hezbollah control! ( I had an opportunity to live in the region many years ago, but I've got to many international obligations.  And now I'm too old.)

Herein, I've offered my initial assessment of the Iraqi revolution.  You can take it for what's it's worth.  I believe in letting all factions have input, but there must be an end to violence; and an overthrow of the current Iraqi government.  The Iraqi legislature, with whom I talked, are pursuing this course of action, but it must happen soon, of course.   In light of the current situation in Iraq I  believe in the US military to straighten out the heads of people in the midst of the drug of euphoria; but short of that I advocate the US pull out and let the region become Muslim in spirit and in truth.

I'm glad to add that support for the US military is working wonders worldwide, regardless of what the military decides to do on behalf of the US.  That means the US citizen pays nothing; this is an international event.