Vietnam II: America Might, Middle East Insanity

Today's news highlighted Shiite militias who have now turned to rooting out Al Qaeda forces in and around Baghdad. This is good news given that, maybe, they have finally realized that even with America's penchant of sticking its nose in world affairs, it does not deliberately try to harm innocent civilians.

I have done some research and found that the U.S. spends many hundreds of millions of dollars on research and development of what they call "smart weapons." My understanding is that these weapons limit collateral damage (injuries/deaths to civilians); that the American military machine now uses more such weapons that at any time in its history. This is hardly the work of those who would marginalize life ... as do the insurgents there.

As each day passes I read of bombings, shootings and attacks by insurgents who kill indiscriminately. I may be somewhat biased here, but my country was -- in large part -- rebuilt by the generosity of America following WWII, as was Germany and much of Europe. Today, we live in a prosperous nation with elected officials. I think the same would be true in the Middle East if local leadership could end the bitter rivalries between Shiite and Sunni Muslims.

And I am perplexed (I wanted to use that world for a long time) as to why many Americans don't see the realities of bowing out now. Even in Japan we realize that such extreme zealots were being trained and sent abroad many years ago, before 9/11, the embassy attacks overseas etc.

The difference between Iraq and Vietnam, of course, is that the Vietnamese never attacked America (or any other nation) on its home soil. This can't be said true of Al Qaeda -- there's no doubt among those of us who discuss such things that the cancer must be dealt with now, before it spreads. Pandering to Al Qaeda would only embolden them to do more.

Personally, I hope the U.S. remains strong willed and keeps at it because there seems to be a lack of strong-willed leadership elsewhere in the world.

And I think those who would vote to withdraw from Iraq would be the very same people who are outraged when an unchecked Al Qaeda reemerges in New York, L.A. or Washington D.C.

I see them asking: "Why didn't you do more?"

I'd also like to point out that Middle East states tend to have long memories, so when you back Iraq in their war with Iran, or train/equip their version of insurgents, it shouldn't be much of a surprise when they respond in kind when provided the opportunity.

American Football: It's A Dog-Eat-Dog World

The big news now is that one of the famous American QBs is in trouble -- or may be.

First, I have to admit that I love American Football; have for sometime now even though baseball and European football remain the chosen sports here. But I sometimes wonder why well-paid athletes such as Atlanta's Michael Vick would resort to getting his kicks -- quite possible -- from dog fighting. My understanding is that his current deal (is that right?), is for somewhere in the neighborhood of $118M. Then there is someone called "Pacman" Jones; I love his name as one of my favorite video games resembles his name. However, that's where the similarities end. In my game, the "Pacman" gobbles up expensive sushi, beer and ladies in order to join an elite Yakuza (I think you would call them the mob) team. "Pacman" Jones though gobbles up warrants and arrests. Again, he was to make much more than I do writing instructions for video games.

As of yet, Vick has only been indicted so nobody is sure he's guilty of anything. That remains to be seen. But it doesn't sound good when, how do you say it, the government digs up many dog bones in your back yard. And while dogs are notorious for burying bones, somehow I doubt they buried the entire carcasses (I hope I'm using that right) of other dogs.

In Asia, it's more common to place a bet on cock fights (though they are small), horse racing and such. It's a cultural phenomenon as, apparently, dog fights are in the deep south of the U.S. I'm told that subcultures throughout the U.S. participate is different leisure activities: Rolling dice is big in the inner cities; there's legalized gambling in Nevada, and even high school football in certain areas is taken much too seriously.

To be selfish, I hope it's determined Vick didn't know what was going on behind his property; that he misunderstood why so many dogs were penned up, that the blood in the pits were the result of accidents, and the many dogs buried there were there before he bought the home. I like to see him run around the field like a greyhound among chihuahuas.

Favorite movie: Dog Day Afternoon
Favorite Rapper: Snoop Dogg
Favorite TV series: Dog the Bounty Hunter
Favorite Cologne: Old English (Sheepdog)
Favorite Drink: Hair of the Dog