The New York Times and Time magazine need to review Reading for Comprehension.
NYT - "The United Nations estimates that Bolivia’s coca crop increased by 5 percent in 2007 — far below the 27 percent jump recorded in Colombia, a close ally of the United States." New York Times article: Bolivia Suspends U.S.-Backed Antidrug Efforts, 1 Nov 2008
Time - "Bolivia counters that while its coca production has increased 5% in Colombia — Washington's No. 1 ally in the region — it has increased 26%, according to the U.N.'s drug-monitoring agency, without Colombia's being added to the blacklist." Time Magazine: Why Bolivia Quit the U.S. War on Drugs, 4 Nov 2008
I recommend that folks browse the actual UN World Drug Report that these two articles are referring to. (www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/WDR-2008.html). The data comes from misquoting or misreading the Executive summary on page 8. The Drug Report refers to a 5% increase and 27% increase in land cultivated for coca crops. Land cultivated does not equal crops produced. In Colombia where the AREA of land under cultivation expanded by 27%, the newly cultivated land turns out to be a very poor yielding area. Due to the poor yield and successful cooperative eradication efforts, potential cocaine production potential was actually down 2% from 610 to 600 metric tons (section 3.1.3 page 237).
As to Bolivia, Section 1.3 of the report covers general trends in the Coca / cocaine market while section 3.1.2 gives the statistical analysis for Bolivia. Both coca cultivation and coca production are most definitely on the rise and have been throughout the Morales presidency. In fact, there has been a 30% RISE in potential cocaine production from 2005 to 2007 from 80 metric tons in 2005 to 94 mt in 2006 to 104 mts in 2007(see the chart at the bottom of page 234). During that same 2 year period, Colombia saw more than a six percent decrease from 640 to 600 metric tons. (See the chart at the top of page 239.)
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Sarah Palin and the Christianity Tangent
I need to develop this more as a specific post on forgiveness...
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Below is a response I made on Jim Schulz' blog (Blog from Bolivia: Bolivia Takes Gold in 'Most Elections' Competition) to some points on Christianity. If I ever stop being so lazy, I'd like to do a proper scripture study on this topic, that is, children who have rebelled and been reconciled, but specifically children of parents considered to be "good" or "God-fearing". Right now Governor Sarah Palin is being held up by both sides. Her detractors call her a poor example, a hypocrite, because she may have gotten pregnant before she married and now that she has her life on track and is a vocal Christian, she has a daughter who is pregnant out of wedlock.
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Does being a Christian, (not just in title, but a practicing, earnest, trying-to-please-God Christian), does that exempt you from having family crises, from having children that repeat our mistakes? Obviously I don't believe so. I think that this one is worth study and prayer. What does scripture have to offer us in answering this question? About sin and forgiveness; about hope in God our father and his work in our children's lives.
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Some starting points: We have the prodigal son parable. We have the horrific sin of David when he took Uriah's wife Bathsheba and then arranged Uriah's death. Below I note the sins of Jacob and later of his sons. We have the woman at the well - not five children, but five husbands! [John chapter 4]. We have the woman caught in adultery.
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If anyone actually reads this and has some thoughts on what scripture teaches us, I'd appreciate your insight.
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POST from Jim's blog ----
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Wow anon 6:18 AM, good points! Sorry if my response is a bit long winded, but you bring up a lot. First thanks to 6:22 PM; you made points that I thoroughly concur with, although perhaps Chelsea was perfectly proper. Your point on rebellious children is supported throughout history, scripture, and by every parent of a teenager. We still love them and are there to support them even when they make critical mistakes.
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6:22, I’ll address some of your concerns in order. If I agree with you, I’ll say so. As to Biblical passages on fidelity, fornication, shell fish, swine, and indentured servitude, first understand that we are not held to Hebrew law. We are not Jewish. At the council in Jerusalem [Acts of he Apostles, chapter 15] the apostles debated this issue heavily and came to the conclusion that the Gentile converts to Christianity should not be held to such things as circumcision, Jewish dietary law (shell fish, pork), etc.
'It is the decision of the holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.' [See also Peter with the centurion Cornelius in Acts chapter 10].
Jesus cuts right to the chase though with the Pharisees in Matthew Chapter 15 [vs. 1-20]. Note how he finishes:
"Are even you still without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that enters the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled into the latrine? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false witness, blasphemy. These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile."
Paul, further reinforces this in his letters, explaining that in our freedom from the law we are still to avoid sin (such as fornication and adultery as you rightly point out.)
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Concerning Palin’s religious beliefs and trying to force them onto others; look into her actions and statements as governor. She believes in creationism but said she would not use religion as a litmus test in appointing members to the school board. She opposes same sex marriage but complied with an Alaskan state Supreme Court order and signed an implementation of same-sex benefits into law. Palin's first veto was used to kill a bill that would have barred the state from granting benefits to the partners of gay state employees. Simply put, it appears that she agrees with you to a great degree.
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So what about the religious right and abortion? Pro-choice frames it as a choice and pro-life frames it as the taking of an innocent life. There is not a whole lot of room for compromise on that yet Palin seeks middle ground there. She belongs to Feminists for Life, a group that has spearheaded efforts to make sure pregnant and parenting college students, who have the highest abortion rates in the nation, get tangible help like medical referrals, child-care, and assistance in completing their education. She recognizes the need to do more than say she opposes abortion. There must be alternatives and assistance.
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Well, you went a bit over the edge with your last paragraph, but I suppose you wanted to end strong. Let me say that when Christ said render unto Caesar..., he was telling the Pharisees to submit themselves to the authority of God and to the authority of the state and quit trying to trip me up with trick questions. He does not say to separate them, but to obey both. Saint Paul goes further in Romans chapter 13 saying that our earthly leaders are put in place by God.
Let every person be subordinate to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been established by God. This is not SEPARATION of Church and state, but union. Nevertheless, I concur that religious freedom must exist.
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Now you started off saying that people are not attacking Palin’s daughter, but to a great degree that is not true. She got pregnant out of wedlock. That is wrong. She should have refrained. Scripture is full of examples of disobedient children in God fearing families though. Isaac’s son Jacob was a deceiver, a liar, a cheat and a blackmailer. God worked with him over decades and he became Israel, father of the 12 patriarchs. The first 10 patriarchs threw their brother Joseph in a well and then, rather than kill him (their first plan), they sold him into a life of slavery and lied to their father about it. God worked with them over the decades and turned their hearts. What is the Christian response to a rebellious child? It is to love, forgive, and support; let God work with them. Look at John chapter 4, John chapter 8. Look at Joseph’s reaction to his pregnant bride-to-be. Governor Palin’s response to her daughter was one of love, forgiveness, and support. Her response to other pregnant teens has been the same. Do you really see this as hypocrisy? Isn’t she rather the kind of centrist Republican many have been saying we need?
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Sorry for the length of the response, but I thought you brought up very valid points worth a thoughtful response.
-
Below is a response I made on Jim Schulz' blog (Blog from Bolivia: Bolivia Takes Gold in 'Most Elections' Competition) to some points on Christianity. If I ever stop being so lazy, I'd like to do a proper scripture study on this topic, that is, children who have rebelled and been reconciled, but specifically children of parents considered to be "good" or "God-fearing". Right now Governor Sarah Palin is being held up by both sides. Her detractors call her a poor example, a hypocrite, because she may have gotten pregnant before she married and now that she has her life on track and is a vocal Christian, she has a daughter who is pregnant out of wedlock.
-
Does being a Christian, (not just in title, but a practicing, earnest, trying-to-please-God Christian), does that exempt you from having family crises, from having children that repeat our mistakes? Obviously I don't believe so. I think that this one is worth study and prayer. What does scripture have to offer us in answering this question? About sin and forgiveness; about hope in God our father and his work in our children's lives.
-
Some starting points: We have the prodigal son parable. We have the horrific sin of David when he took Uriah's wife Bathsheba and then arranged Uriah's death. Below I note the sins of Jacob and later of his sons. We have the woman at the well - not five children, but five husbands! [John chapter 4]. We have the woman caught in adultery.
-
If anyone actually reads this and has some thoughts on what scripture teaches us, I'd appreciate your insight.
-
POST from Jim's blog ----
-
Wow anon 6:18 AM, good points! Sorry if my response is a bit long winded, but you bring up a lot. First thanks to 6:22 PM; you made points that I thoroughly concur with, although perhaps Chelsea was perfectly proper. Your point on rebellious children is supported throughout history, scripture, and by every parent of a teenager. We still love them and are there to support them even when they make critical mistakes.
-
6:22, I’ll address some of your concerns in order. If I agree with you, I’ll say so. As to Biblical passages on fidelity, fornication, shell fish, swine, and indentured servitude, first understand that we are not held to Hebrew law. We are not Jewish. At the council in Jerusalem [Acts of he Apostles, chapter 15] the apostles debated this issue heavily and came to the conclusion that the Gentile converts to Christianity should not be held to such things as circumcision, Jewish dietary law (shell fish, pork), etc.
'It is the decision of the holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.' [See also Peter with the centurion Cornelius in Acts chapter 10].
Jesus cuts right to the chase though with the Pharisees in Matthew Chapter 15 [vs. 1-20]. Note how he finishes:
"Are even you still without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that enters the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled into the latrine? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false witness, blasphemy. These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile."
Paul, further reinforces this in his letters, explaining that in our freedom from the law we are still to avoid sin (such as fornication and adultery as you rightly point out.)
-
Concerning Palin’s religious beliefs and trying to force them onto others; look into her actions and statements as governor. She believes in creationism but said she would not use religion as a litmus test in appointing members to the school board. She opposes same sex marriage but complied with an Alaskan state Supreme Court order and signed an implementation of same-sex benefits into law. Palin's first veto was used to kill a bill that would have barred the state from granting benefits to the partners of gay state employees. Simply put, it appears that she agrees with you to a great degree.
-
So what about the religious right and abortion? Pro-choice frames it as a choice and pro-life frames it as the taking of an innocent life. There is not a whole lot of room for compromise on that yet Palin seeks middle ground there. She belongs to Feminists for Life, a group that has spearheaded efforts to make sure pregnant and parenting college students, who have the highest abortion rates in the nation, get tangible help like medical referrals, child-care, and assistance in completing their education. She recognizes the need to do more than say she opposes abortion. There must be alternatives and assistance.
-
Well, you went a bit over the edge with your last paragraph, but I suppose you wanted to end strong. Let me say that when Christ said render unto Caesar..., he was telling the Pharisees to submit themselves to the authority of God and to the authority of the state and quit trying to trip me up with trick questions. He does not say to separate them, but to obey both. Saint Paul goes further in Romans chapter 13 saying that our earthly leaders are put in place by God.
Let every person be subordinate to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been established by God. This is not SEPARATION of Church and state, but union. Nevertheless, I concur that religious freedom must exist.
-
Now you started off saying that people are not attacking Palin’s daughter, but to a great degree that is not true. She got pregnant out of wedlock. That is wrong. She should have refrained. Scripture is full of examples of disobedient children in God fearing families though. Isaac’s son Jacob was a deceiver, a liar, a cheat and a blackmailer. God worked with him over decades and he became Israel, father of the 12 patriarchs. The first 10 patriarchs threw their brother Joseph in a well and then, rather than kill him (their first plan), they sold him into a life of slavery and lied to their father about it. God worked with them over the decades and turned their hearts. What is the Christian response to a rebellious child? It is to love, forgive, and support; let God work with them. Look at John chapter 4, John chapter 8. Look at Joseph’s reaction to his pregnant bride-to-be. Governor Palin’s response to her daughter was one of love, forgiveness, and support. Her response to other pregnant teens has been the same. Do you really see this as hypocrisy? Isn’t she rather the kind of centrist Republican many have been saying we need?
-
Sorry for the length of the response, but I thought you brought up very valid points worth a thoughtful response.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
A Note from a Marine
My nephew sent me the email below. I'd seen something similar before, but it was about time I saw it again. My nephew joined the Marines about 8 years ago, served 4 years on active duty before joining the reserves. He got activated shortly thereafter and did a tour in Iraq. He's pursuing a civilian career now but still has the heart of a patriot. His brother joined the Air Force about 5 years ago and they share a time-honored rivalry.
The email he sent me pretty much tells things as they are. I can personally attest to the part about the National Anthem - especially when i heard Whitney's rendition on the flight home from Desert Storm.
If you've never served in the military, you may not understand this. You may think us Neanderthal. I, of course, do not. I have an inordinate respect for these young men.
Half Man Half Boy
The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's, but he has never collected unemployment either.
He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer.
He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.
He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.
He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march.
He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient.
He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.
He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.
If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.
He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands.
He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.
He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humor in all of it.
He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime.
He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.
He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking.
In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.
Just as did his Father, his Grandfather, and his Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.
He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.
And now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to war when our nation calls us to do so.
As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot. . .
A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets.
Prayer for our military
'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.'
The email he sent me pretty much tells things as they are. I can personally attest to the part about the National Anthem - especially when i heard Whitney's rendition on the flight home from Desert Storm.
If you've never served in the military, you may not understand this. You may think us Neanderthal. I, of course, do not. I have an inordinate respect for these young men.
Half Man Half Boy
The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's, but he has never collected unemployment either.
He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer.
He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.
He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.
He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march.
He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient.
He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.
He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.
If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.
He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands.
He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.
He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humor in all of it.
He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime.
He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.
He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking.
In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.
Just as did his Father, his Grandfather, and his Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.
He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.
And now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to war when our nation calls us to do so.
As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot. . .
A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets.
Prayer for our military
'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.'
Friday, July 25, 2008
Predictions on the Aug 10 Referendum Revocatorio
Pretty much like everyone else in Bolivia, I’ve been quietly watching as we come up on the August 10th Referendum Revocatorio. To be honest, I’m surprised things haven’t heated up yet. I guess things don’t get really heated up though until about two weeks prior to an event. What do I expect?
1. Chavez checks. Morales will work night and day to build his base. He needs to get as many of his supporters registered as possible and he needs to stay popular. He’ll stay out of anything more controversial than insulting the US and the “oligarchs” (Last year the “in” term was “Elites”). To build support, he will do what any good politician does; give stuff away, shake hands, smile, and kiss babies. “A chicken in every pot” still works. BTW, I expect the prefects to be doing exactly the same. We should see ribbon cutting by both sides. Sidebar - Morales’ going into Montero was not a bright move, but he needs to make progress in Santa Cruz. He needs to get rid of Costas and put his own man in.
2. Mudslinging – and lots of it.
3. The prefects trying every legal and quasi-legal method to stop the referendum – now here’s the twist – without appearing to do so.
- We’ve already seen legal challenges. I’ve been following the debate on MABB and Pronto* over the legality of the referendum. I’d say both sides make good arguments. It’s a shame the Constitutional Court isn’t there to hear them.
- Social movements (this time from the right) protesting and blockading. The protests cannot however be led by the prefects. They have to appear to be “Grass roots” events.
What else, I’m not sure. Honestly, IMHO the prefects lost the battle when the opposition failed to read the Ley Revocatoria before signing it. It is amazingly slanted in favor of Morales. I expect that he will quickly remove several thorns in his side, and just as quickly put his own people in place. They should already have their backs packed. He only has a short time though before he has to call elections, so he will need to move rapidly on his stonewalled agenda items – particularly the CPE. The question is whether the Senate will bend to his will after he removes the prefects. That I don’t know. How much does he gain towards the CPE by removing these thorns (the prefects)?
1. Chavez checks. Morales will work night and day to build his base. He needs to get as many of his supporters registered as possible and he needs to stay popular. He’ll stay out of anything more controversial than insulting the US and the “oligarchs” (Last year the “in” term was “Elites”). To build support, he will do what any good politician does; give stuff away, shake hands, smile, and kiss babies. “A chicken in every pot” still works. BTW, I expect the prefects to be doing exactly the same. We should see ribbon cutting by both sides. Sidebar - Morales’ going into Montero was not a bright move, but he needs to make progress in Santa Cruz. He needs to get rid of Costas and put his own man in.
2. Mudslinging – and lots of it.
3. The prefects trying every legal and quasi-legal method to stop the referendum – now here’s the twist – without appearing to do so.
- We’ve already seen legal challenges. I’ve been following the debate on MABB and Pronto* over the legality of the referendum. I’d say both sides make good arguments. It’s a shame the Constitutional Court isn’t there to hear them.
- Social movements (this time from the right) protesting and blockading. The protests cannot however be led by the prefects. They have to appear to be “Grass roots” events.
What else, I’m not sure. Honestly, IMHO the prefects lost the battle when the opposition failed to read the Ley Revocatoria before signing it. It is amazingly slanted in favor of Morales. I expect that he will quickly remove several thorns in his side, and just as quickly put his own people in place. They should already have their backs packed. He only has a short time though before he has to call elections, so he will need to move rapidly on his stonewalled agenda items – particularly the CPE. The question is whether the Senate will bend to his will after he removes the prefects. That I don’t know. How much does he gain towards the CPE by removing these thorns (the prefects)?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Open Invitation
While I often offer my opinion on others blogs, I (usually) try to avoid getting into discussion that are wildly off topic. This space is for off-topic discussion. Unfortunately, I don't have one right now ;-) I'll see what I can do about that. In the meantime, in the unlikely event that anyone actually sees this, feel free to freeboard.
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