Peace, Afghanistan, Hard Choices

What did you think of Obama's speech in the evening of Tuesday Dec 1, 2009? And the course he has set for Afghanistan?

Here are my thoughts:

0) He is a great speaker and will be recognized as one of our greatest Presidents.

1) Obama is getting us out of Iraq and has a timetable for this (unlike the Republicans).

2) Obama has set a timetable for getting out of Afghanistan even though there is a temporary increase happening. BTW, setting a deadline is often the best way to make sure time is used productively.

3) I'm against war, but sometimes there are compelling reasons to finish what is started as well as to defend ourselves.

4) We are short of money and resources (best to get out as soon as we can).

5) Obama has succeeded in finding a reasonable middle ground regarding Afghanistan and is holding true to steering a moderate course between liberal and conservative extremes -- we need our country working together right now (a strong parallel to Lincoln -- united we stand, divided we fall) (some people on both sides are not completely happy but some on both sides are also getting some of what they want) (BTW, I predicted early on that Obama would be a moderate and he is meeting my expectations).

6) Unlike Iraq, where many were fooled about "weapons of mass destruction", we know for certain that:
a) Pakistan has nuclear weapons
b) India has nuclear weapons
c) The future of Afghanistan and Pakistan and India are tightly intertwined
d) If things go badly in Pakistan, we may face a nuclear war between Pakistan & India as well as supply nuclear weapons to terrorists or lead to use of nuclear weapons in the Middle East
e) Pakistan is pretty fragile right now, serious problems in Afghanistan could also topple Pakistan
Thus there are clear reasons to continue to invest a known quantity of security resources to help Afghanistan and Pakistan move further along the path of mutual stability.

7) I personally do not feel the need to participate in peace demonstrations at this time even though I continue to be a vocal supporter for achieving peace. The world is not a perfect place, and at this time there is still an unfortunate need to use force. That's why we still have police, military, security guards, etc. So I am in the spot of advocating for peace but supporting our President in his choice for us in Afghanistan -- he is the best person and in the best position to make this decision:
- has the right training
- has the right perspective
- has the right background
- has most correct information anyone could possibly have to make such a decision
- has the responsibility to do this as the President of the US and the commander & chief of our military.

I think as good a job as can be done is now being done for Afghanistan and so am focusing my own limited resources elsewhere.

Sincerely,
Tim Oey

Greg Mortenson Embodies Peace in Action

Greg Mortenson is one of the best examples of peace and service in action.

His book "Three Cups of Tea, One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time" has now been a NY Times bestseller for 101 weeks and is published in 28 countries!

The Central Asia Institute which he directs has built and is helping to run 78 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Greg recently won the 2009 Austin College Leadership Award. You can read more about this at:
http://www.austincollege.edu/NewsDetail.asp?NewsID=1764&ItemID=6985

The Young Adult version of "Three Cups of Tea" and a children's book "Listen to the Wind" will be released on January 22nd, 2009. (For more info see: http://www.threecupsoftea.com/)

Greg and Amira Mortenson (his daughter) will be on the NBC Today show on Thursday January 22nd to talk about the two new books that are being released that day. On 1/22/2009, you can watch it online at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032633

Israel Kills Peace Advocate's Children

I am greatly saddened by the news that Israel killed 3 of the daughters of a Gazan peace advocate. I can barely fathom the grief he must be feeling. If either of my children were killed in a similar situation, I would probably be on a warpath lusting for blood. Yet, I sincerely hope that his pursuit of Peace continues and that his daughters' deaths were not in vain.

For more, please read: Gazan Doctor Loses Family

"Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish has devoted his life to reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. Now he is struggling to hold on to the humane philosophy that has guided his life."

at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/18/world/middleeast/18doctor.html

Israel Is an Oppressor

A tragedy is taking place in Gaza. Jimmy Carter recognized that Israel was committing a human rights crime in Gaza last year May 2008 if not earlier (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/may/08/israelandthepalestinians).

This year there are calls for a UN court ruling against Israel (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/14/israel-gaza-un-court-palestine).

People in Gaza are trapped and this situation was caused by Israel (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/08/opinion/08khalidi.html?scp=11&sq=gaza&st=cse)

It's a very hard problem yet Israel and Palestinians must make peace or be doomed to war forever. The US could do much more to encourage peace. Under Obama, I hope it will.

Department of Peace

Yoko Ono supports a Department of Peace, see:
http://imaginepeace.com/news/archives/5520

I've posted the following to the "Department of Peace" discussion:

---------

The State Department really is the current Department of Peace. It's mission as stated in it's current strategic plan (see http://www.state.gov/s/d/rm/rls/dosstrat/2007/) is:

"Advance freedom for the benefit of the American people and the international community by helping to build and sustain a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world composed of well-governed states that respond to the needs of their people, reduce widespread poverty, and act responsibly within the international system."

I believe that doing the above is the best way to accomplish Peace. Economics has a huge part in Peace as does helping other sustainable governments succeed. This all best belongs in the State Department. I'm a very strong believer in Peace and have been demonstrating in Peace Rallies since the Iraq war began.

So my vote for a Department of Peace is really a vote to better staff and fund the Department of State (rather than the "Defense Department" or "Department of War").

For more about my efforts to support Peace, please see http://SunnyvalePeace.org, http://timoey.com, and http://timoey.blogspot.com.

Thanks!

Sincerely,
Tim Oey

Halloween Peace

Sunnyvale Voices for Peace had an enthusiastic monthly meeting on the street corner this past Friday from 6 to 7 pm. Many of us came in Halloween costumes and we had a new family show up and another newcomer promise to come next month.

November will hopefully be a celebration rally for a new more peaceful President that the rest of the world respects (Obama). December will be our annual Santa Hat peace rally.

Here are some pics from yesterday's costume peace rally.

9/11

Sept 11, 2001 was a sad day. On that day many regular citizens were killed in four coordinated terrorist attacks.

To prevent such future tragedies, we need Unity.

From the 9-11 Commission Final Report:
"We call on the American people to remember how we all felt on 9/11, to remember not only the unspeakable horror but how we came together as a nation—one nation. Unity of purpose and unity of effort are the way we will defeat this enemy and make America safer for our children and grandchildren."

Lincoln said "United we stand, divided we fall." At that time he spoke of just one nation.

Today unity just in our nation is not enough. We as a world must follow this same mantra if we, humankind, are to ultimately survive.

I highly recommend that every US Citizen read and re-read the full 9-11 report. It has many lessons for all of us. It can be found at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/911/Index.html

Sincerely,
Tim Oey