nemokc's Blog

I recently read a post on the Israeli-Gaza Strip conflict by Rosco that was entitled LIVING IN A SEWER PIPE.   It hurts a little to say this, but on this particular post he was right as he very accurately conveyed the feelings of the Israeli people regarding the Gaza Strip.    He wrote, "Imagine, your government kicks you out of your home and off your land to give it to terrorists who want to kill you and your family and your people. In return for taking your home, your land, and your livelihood, the Government promises you a new house, and enough land to rebuild your farm, and your life but instead puts you in a temporary house made of what amounts to compacted dust and cardboard and charges you rent while you wait for the promised home and land. And then, when the terrorists bomb your new temporary neighborhood from your old neighborhood, your Government gives you a sewage pipe to protect you and your children."   It is a very accurate description of the average Israeli's fear (of terrorists) and frustration (with thier own government).

The problem with the post is that it only tells one side of the story.   The same description could be used to explain the feelings of the grandparents of today's Hamas terrorists in regards to Israel.  Now, I take no sides on the problems of Israel.   I understand the need to defend yourself from missle attacks.  I can even understand the loss of civilian life in Gaza because it was the civilian population that elected Hamas to a leadership role.   But I also think that is is important that people remember the history of Israel and use that knowledge to try to understand WHY the conflict is so bitter.   Without recognition and  understanding of the feelings of both sides, it becomes impossible to reach any kind of acceptable resolution.  (If one actually exists.)

You see, while it is easy for us to forget that Israel as a modern nation is very young....it is a vivid nighmare to the people of Gaza.   

Between the Biblical times of King Solomon's Israel and the modern re-incarnation of the country in 1948, the land we know as Israel was controlled for over 1200 years by Muslims.   Then in the late 1800's, a large number of Zionists began to immigrate to Palistine.  Zionists at the time, were composed primarily of persecuted Jews from Russia and Europe who immigrated to escape persecution.   For over 50 years; Jews, Muslims & Christians lived together peacefully.  But the goal of the Zionist's was to re-establish a religious state in land promised them by "God".   To this end, they began to plot illegal immigrations to increase the population of Jews in the region.    By the end of WWII, the Jewish population was quite large and vocally demanding self-rule in a country that they had begun immigrating to less than a 100 years earlier.    The decision to grant them self-rule was made by the UN in 1948 and the region has been filled with conflict ever since.  The best land was given to the Jews and the poorer areas of the country were to be the Muslim state.    If you had lived in Palistine in 1945, you would probably be pretty upset by both the UN & the West on New Year's Day 1949.   You would also probably pass that anger and hatred on to your children.  I don't condone the violence, but knowing the history of the region helps to understand the reasons for the violence. 

Here's a hypothetical example for you to ponder on.  The Mormon Church believes that when Christ returns to earth he will establish New Jerusalem in Independence, Missouri.    So how would you feel if the UN decided to give the city of Independence to the Mormon Church?    All Christians within the city limits would have to give up their homes and move to Kansas City's East side.    Fences & walls would be placed to keep the former residents of Independence out of the city.    Promises would be made to make restitution "somehow" and Christians would be expected to sit quitely in thier run down East side apartments while a Mormon family moved into thier home in Independence.   How would you react?   I would be willing to bet that Rosco would be one of the first people on his rooftop with a rocket launcher aimed at Independence.  (And I couldn't blame him for his actions.)   I also would be willing to bet that any children who spent time with Rosco would grow up to HATE Mormons without reservation.   (It would be a natural reaction.)

The Israel-Gaza conflict is a horrible thing.  But the problem is now compounded by the fact that the root of the problem started 60 years ago.  A short time for a country but a lifetime for a person.  An entire generation has grown up in Isreal and it is the only home they have ever  known.   They are as territorial about thier country as the Muslims are certain that it should still be their country.   It is a case of 60 years of personal history versus 12 centuries of tribal history.    So the next time you hear a Christian speak of Israel's rights or you hear a Muslim speak of the evil of the Israeli's perhaps you can stop to remember that there are no easy or right answers to this question anymore.    The only thing left is to find a measure of peace for the region...and that will require both sides to accept something less than they have had in the past.   Never an easy sell for any diplomat.

It's a decision that has created quite a stir across the country.   It's a decision that managed to unite both the right & the left in their anger. Ironically it had nothing to do with policy but with Obama's choice to lead our country in prayer before he takes the oath of office.   The left hates the choice because Rick Warren supported California's Proposition 8.   The right hates the choice because Obama made it and Rick Warren isn't a true conservative!   

But this is what Obama has promised us all along....to find areas that we can agree upon and work together on those issues.  We are all filled with "differences".   We see the world from a different set of life experiences and it gives us each individually a different outlook on what is important.  But while the differences in ideology and social values are important, they are not nearly as important as the fact that we are ALL Americans.   United by our common citizenship.

Recently, I stumbled upon an article written by Melissa Etheridge (a local girl turned musician, Mom & Lesbian).  In it, she details her disagreements, misconceptions of and eventual meeting with Rick Warren.   She also explains why she will be in Washington at the Inauguration in spite of her misgivings on Pastor Warren.

It's an interesting read.   It reaffirmed my belief that there still is hope that we can overcome our cultural differences in honor of our country.    I hope you take the time to follow the link.  

This just in:

SUPREME COURT REFUSES TO REVIEW OBAMA BIRTH CERTIFICATE LAWSUIT.

And I thought this was supposed to be a conservative court!

Gee, maybe it really is a frivolous suit!

Dear Mayor Funkhouser:

WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU???

You were elected to the office of Mayor on a pledge to run a more efficient city government.   You promised to focus on the "nuts & bolts" of city operations....no more metal plates on the streets.    We thought in electing a CPA for mayor that we as citizens would get a more fiscally responsible city government.   One that responded quickly & efficiently to the needs of it's citizens!

Instead we got your wife volunteering to drive us all a little crazy.   Instead the city spends over $25,000 on attorney fees because your wife doesn't know enough not to call an African-American woman...."mammy"!

I know  you claim that the now infamous "Mammiegate Lawsuit" is politically motivated.   That your wife did nothing wrong and often adds "ie" to the end of names.  Like "Funkie"?  But even if that is true, is she really so out of touch with interpersonal relations that she didn't realize the sheer stupidity of referring to an African-American city employee as "maam-ie" ?   Are you so politically inept that you failed to realize that your  opposition would use such statements to help derail your own political agenda?   That's why effective politicians (who get things like Light Rail passed) are careful about what they say and who they say it to.

You also promised early on "not to try this case in the media".   And then you go on NPR, Good Morning America, etc.  and suddenly Kansas City is in the national spotlight!   (And here's a little advice for you....NOT ALL PUBLICITY IS GOOD PUBLICITY!)  

If you were looking to open a business in a new city would you want to subject your company to the dictates of a local government who refuses to acknowledge the legal implications of having a married couple working together.    A City Hall where discussion does not center around public policy but public mayoral "ball fondling"!   GET A CLUE!!!!  

Now let's add insult to injury on top of all this.    When the City Council passes an ordinance that prohibits spouses from volunteering in the same office as their significant other....you vetoed it.    Did you ever think to ask an HR expert what thier opinion of spousal help would be?   Obviously not, but when the council overrode your veto you did consult a lawyer in order to SUE YOUR OWN CITY!!!!!    Once again I must ask....WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU? 

Mayor Funkhouser, I beg you, stop the nonsense.     Find a great community project for your wife to work on outside your office and start focusing on the city and it's people that elected you.   Focus on the problems of our city not the problems of your office.   We have unemployment at 5.9%.    Our crime rate is high.   Our bridges are falling apart.  The public school system is a joke.  There are real issues that need your attention!

Sincerely,

A concerned citizen.

Please feel free to copy this open letter to the mayor.   It can be e-mailed to mayor@kcmo.org  or simply call 816-513-3600.  But let Mayor Funkhouser know that we as citizens deserve better than he is giving us.   Be sure & post a comment letting people know if you get any sort of response from his office.

It's officially the "Christmas Season"!   That means lots of things....taking the kids to see Santa, The Charlie Brown Christmas Special, carolers, nativity scenes, hordes of angry shoppers frustrated by the noise & crowds.   It's very easy to lose sight of the meaning of the Holiday in these surroundings.

It's even more difficult for those of us in the hospitality or retail industry.   It's our busiest season & we have to do everything you have to do to get ready for the holiday....AND take care of you.  (And you're often in a pretty ugly mood by the time you come into contact with us.)   We know that taking care of you is  what we're there for, but it's still difficult some days to balance the "logistics of life" against the needs of our guests.  

So we dwell on how bad it is.   How sad it is that we can't afford to get little Johhny his new X-Box or Sally her new walking, talking, texting life-sized doll.  How rude that dirty so & so on table 8 was.  Why that nice couple lets their children run wild like animals through the toy department?  And so, somewhere in the long December nightmare of the hospitality world.....Christmas gets lost.

Many years ago, I realized that the only way to fight this attitude was to find someone who REALLY needed help.   You see, no matter how bad your lot in life.....someone nearby is even worse off than you.    Finding that person & lending a helping hand is a great way to bring back the magic of Christmas!    

I forgot that this year.   Business is way off.    Prices are high.   I can't afford to buy even half the presents I want to buy for the grandkids.   And then it happened again.   I saw that one person who reminded me to be thankful for what I have and to share with those who are less fortunate.    This year it was a little girl (maybe six)  who stood in line to see Santa.   She didn't ask for toys or gift cards.   She didn't want clothes or a pony.    All she asked for was a home for her mom & her sisters to live in.    Suddenly I felt very small and shallow.  

There are two annual area charity drives that I always like to recommend.   Each day on 98.9 THE ROCK, the Johnny Dare Morning Show picks a person in need.   They read on-air a letter explaining the situation and then listeners call in to do what they can to help someone else.    And the morning listeners always seem to respond!   It's the most uplifting 10 minutes of radio you can find on air.

The other drive I like is hosted by Fox 4's Love Fund.   Each year they combine with CVS to run "SACK IT FOR SANTA".    You pick up a bag at CVS and then fill it for an older child.  (Everyone likes to buy toys for little kids, but the 14 & 15 year olds always seem to get left out.)

So thanks to Fox 4 & The Johhny Dare Morning Show for helping us to remember what makes the real magic of Christmas!   And this season, please keep in mind that there are LOTS of people needing help and lots FEWER people available to help out.   So if you can.....PLEASE GIVE!

Since the election there has been a lot of discussion on the internet about upcoming court hearings regarding the authenticity of the birth certificate of Barack Obama.   "Don't hold your breath" has been my standard answer to all who have told me how the Supreme Court would issue a ruling requiring Obama to hand over a valid birth certificate or not accept the nomination.   

The internet rumors suggest that he was actually born in Kenya or that he was adopted by his Indonesian step-father which made him an Indonesian citizen or that his father was a British citizen which disqualifies him for the office of President.   They then finish their argument with the plainative plea, "if he's really an American citizen, why WON'T he release his birth certificate to the public"?    (Not that any of them have offered to post their birth certificate with all that personal information on the world-wide web for all to see!) 

If you are interested in the detailed explanations of why none of these arguments are valid, I suggest you check out snopes.com.   It lists the major arguments and refutes them.   

You should also know that two different officials from the State of Haiwaii have issued statements that they have personally examined the certificate and it is both valid and in the possession of the state.   Both of these officials are political appointees of a REPUBLICAN governor (and McCain supporter).    They have nothing to gain by lying and would be heros to their boss if they could prove Obama doesn't qualify for President.

If you are wondering why he just doesn't release the documents, I can offer three suggestions.    First, like many American citizens with "foreign-sounding" names, I suspect that President-Elect Obama dislikes having to prove he is an American just because of his name.    (Ask a third generation Mexican-American named Jose' if he has documents & see what his reaction is!  Duck if he is bigger than you.    Also ask yourself, why nobody ever asks an O'Malley if he's an American.  The only countries that seem to be an issue are inhabited by people with brown skin color.)  

Second, a birth certificate contains a lot of personal information that can be used for identity theft.    (Hey mom, I got a credit card in the name of the President!)

Third, I think Obama feels that this is the perfect "red herring" for the radical right.   If you read much of the political blogs on this site, you know that there are a few who will NEVER like or agree with ANYTHING that Obama does.  He takes a jet to visit his dying grandmother & he is wasting donor money.   He doesn't take a jet to the funeral and he's scum who doesn't care about the woman.  The "mystery" of the birth certificate keeps these people occupied.   If he were to release the document, many would deny it's validity and the rest would look for something else to fixate on. 

But after reading the insanity that is continually posted on this site concerning this subject by the same four or five bloggers who just can't handle the thought of the Obama Presidency, I admit that I was wrong in one respect.  I shouldn't have told you not to hold your breath!   Please, Please take a DEEP breath & HOLD IT.....keep holding it from now until December 5th when you think you'll get what you want!