Citizenship

This week, my friend Vy, and a few hundred other people, participated in a naturalization ceremony to become U.S. Citizens. A ceremony like this happens every week all over the United States. I attended my first ceremony in Kansas City many years ago to celebrate with my friend Gamil, who is originally from Egypt. 

There are a number of things that are striking to me about these ceremonies:

First, there is not a person who participated who did not struggle or sacrifice for the distinction. A distinction I was given at birth. I didn't earn it. I didn't even ask for it. And, if I am honest, I usually take for granted the rights and privileges that come with the distinction. In fact, I may even engage in unfair criticism of a nation that so many still flock to as a beacon of freedom and prosperity. When I traveled to foreign destinations, on the regular I was reminded of this gift - especially as a woman. 

Second, there is an oath of allegiance that is part of the ceremony. The current oath follows: 

I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.

I could write a dissertation on the meaning of the various statements in this oath. What strikes me as note worthy is that I, as a U.S. born citizen, never had to take an oath of allegiance.

Finally, scripture says (Philippians 3:20) that as a follower of Jesus my citizenship is in heaven. Like these new U.S. Citizens, this will require a leaving behind of the old and embarking on an unknown future. It also involves an oath of allegiance, that I am subject to an authority and have a duty to support and defend this rule/kingdom. And, that I will do so willingly. But, in the challenges, God is with me.

just Sheri, grateful for my citizenship status

Snowden: revealing my inconsistencies

Recently I've engaged in numerous conversations on the topic of Snowden: hero or villain?

That really isn't the point of this post.

The media reports about the man who leaked top secret information has me thinking about the issue of privacy...

We live in interesting times where we use social media to announce to the world where we are (Facebook check-in) and what we are doing at any given moment (Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook status posts). I (obviously) have a blog and share portions of my life on the blog. I have user IDs for Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and post status updates periodically on all of these.

In addition to these, I have a smart phone and subscribed to the Google app which I find amazing. If there is a flight itinerary in my inbox, the app will automatically give me the flight status. The app has memorized my schedule and frequently visited locations and will give me updates on how long it will take to get home from work or to a regular destination on Monday nights or Wednesday mornings. When I travel, because of GPS tracking on my phone, the app creates a listing (unsolicited)of activities or restaurants near me. Every weekend it gives me a list of events in my area. I like the convenience of these functions. I find them helpful and useful. I sacrificed privacy to get these features and apparently I am okay with that.

I am not, however, okay with the government tracking and cataloguing these things without a reasonable cause. I don't care if it is in the name of national security. While I have nothing to hide, it feels to me a violation of trust that they capture this information without my permission.

I have been thinking about this inconsistency in my stance. I willingly give up privacy for the sake of personal convenience, but I feel it a violation when those concessions in privacy are being monitored on a grand scale.

Is my expectation of privacy reasonable?

just Sheri, trying to reconcile my inconsistencies

quoteable quotes: Margaret Thatcher

In memory of the Iron Lady, my favorite quote:

Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't.
~ Margaret Thatcher

just read: Long Walk to Freedom

It is only fitting to follow a post on Emancipation with the story of a freedom fighter - Nelson Mandela. I have long admired Madiba (Mandela's tribal name) for his strength of character and the sacrifices he made for a strongly held conviction. I do not know many people who could be sent to prison for nearly three decades and come out speaking of reconciliation and forgiveness.

The early parts of this book, when he is describing his boyhood, made me long to be in Africa. The images described were like many I had seen in my time there. The beauty of that continent is impressive and Mandela describes it well.

More than the vivid word pictures and clear fondness Mandela has for his homeland, this book is a lesson in how to structure, manage and maintian a movement. By the end, I felt as if I had received an education in community action. I took notes throughout. The Hubs asked, "why are you writing in that book?"

"Because this is good stuff about how to bring about change," was my response.

I also enjoyed learning about South African and ANC (African National Congress political party) history. I was exposed to the broad strokes, but this book provided the timeline and details that I was lacking.

Mandela's discipline is unreal. His perspective is unique.His optimism is unbelievable. There are a number of passages that left me contemplating life, humanity and my role in the universe. But, I believe this one is worth sharing because it summarizes his world view and what made him such a powerful leader.

"I am no more virtuous or self-sacrificing than the next man, but I found that I could not even enjoy the poor and limited freedoms I was allowed when I knew my people were not free...It was during those long and lonely years that my hunger for the freedom of my own people became a hunger for the freedom of all people, white and black. I knew as well as I knew anything that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away another mans freedom is a prisoner of hatred...When I walked out of prison, that was my mission, to liberate the oppressed and the oppressor both...For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."

just Sheri, thankful for the example of a great life

In honor of Black History Month: Emancipation Eve

This year marks the 150th year of Emancipation. The Hubs and I had a unique (and educational) new year's. We drove in to the city and participated in Emancipation Eve activities. The National Park rangers had a full night of activities planned. They offered lectures full of fascinating, unpublished history.

One of the presentations involved actors dressed in period costume. It would be an understatement to say they brought history to life!

The most memorable moments for me was sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, not far from the spot where Martin Luther King Jr stood to give his famous "I have a dream speech," and singing old negro spirituals with a diverse group of strangers. It was a powerful moment of voices united, proclaiming freedom from oppression.

Since we never know how long we are going to stay in a place - we want to be sure to take advantage of our proximity to the nation's capital and memorable events such as this...especially when they are free.

just Sheri, inspired by those who fought for freedom

Stop Hatin'

When I was young (starting around 10 years old) I became mesmerized by politics and the political process. I read about it. I watched it. Even before I could vote I participated in the process through political rallies or protests. Today, I find so much of the system detestable.

Virginia, where we currently reside, was deemed a "battleground" state in the recent Presidential election. That means the final count of the vote can go to either party. Apparently, that turns in to month after month after month of political ads...everywhere! If you live in the U.S., I don't have to tell you how negative political ads have become. I can't think of a single ad that was uplifting, heartwarming or inspiring - instead, it was constant criticism of words, speculation about actions, and what can best be defined as fear mongering. I thought the negativity would end after the election.


During election day, I was so impressed. It was surprising to me how orderly and civil the process was - even though folks disagree and stood in line for hours. No violence erupted  No one died. Then the contender graciously concedes - even before all of the votes have been counted. This is not a guarantee. Peaceful elections are not a given around the globe. This is a gift that should not be taken for granted.

My contentment with the political process didn't last long. Soon the concession speech is being torn apart, along with the speaker. Soon fingers are pointing and tongues wagging about what went wrong, who did what. I think political pundits have mistaken criticism for analysis. I am just so tired of the negativity. I am so tired of the divisiveness. I don't think this hatin' is good for our nation. I long for civility, a dialogue of ideals, and a sense of we are all in this together.

just Sheri, tired of the negativity

speak truth

Job 27:4 I will tell only the truth.

I wish this were true - that folks spoke truth. I wish. I wish. I wish. About once every four years (usually around election time) I write a political post. I try not to get in to politics much on this blog. Why? Because it is divisive, and frankly, I believe both parties have some things right and some things wrong and those prescribing to either party platform are entirely too self-righteous. 

Is it right to be fiscally responsible; protect innocent, unborn children who cannot speak for themselves; and protect the sanctity of marriage? I say, "yes!"

Is it right to have compassion for those who are struggling in difficult circumstances and give them a hand-up, to welcome the stranger in to our borders (with some provisions to maintain order), and to treat all people with dignity and respect? I say, "yes!"

What America has lost is civil discourse about such ideals. A bashing of the other's character, rather than a dialogue on convictions. But, that isn't the only thing we've lost...

I have been amazed in recent years at the incredible amount of "spin" that flies around in politics.This isn't a post aimed at any particular party, because if I were judge I would declare all "guilty."

Today's topic is aimed at a particular event: the attacks on U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

As a recovering Expatriate (Dictionary.com: to withdraw oneself from residence in one's native country.), I must tell you that the Embassy or Consulate is viewed as a refuge of safety. When I visited these locations in different spots around the globe, these were well fortified with security and built to withstand attack. I cannot believe these recent attacks are the response to a low-grade, low-budget, previously obscure and unknown video production. Honestly, who had even heard of this movie before the attacks? That is a red herring. There is something bigger going on and I feel strongly that our Executive and Congress are missing an opportunity to respond appropriately.

It was not an un-happy coincidence that the Behghazi attack occurred on September 11 (the anniversary of the largest terrorist attack on our soil). The rocket launcher that killed the Embassador did not appear as a result of a spontaneous demonstration. I feel insulted that this event would be classified as anything other than terrorism. Am I supposed to believe that folks just happen to have a rocket launcher in their home, and when they heard a ruckus decided to grab it on their way out the door? Nope, that doesn't happen. Just to have possession of a rocket launcher takes prior planning and it was obviously positioned to cause harm.

The events of recent weeks are terrorism (dictionary.com: the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes). What I don't understand is - why are we so reluctant to call it what it is? The only answer I can come up with is that if we call it terrorism, then we would have to do something about it...and that would be politically unpopular...and in case you forgot we are in an election with the objective of winning, rather than leading. 

What concerns me, more than political positioning, is that this has happened before. George Santayana rightly said: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." So, with that in mind, let's take a little walk down memory lane:

• 1998: there were a series of embassy bombings in East Africa. (Thankfully, those were condemned by the U.N.)
• 2000: a suicide bomber attacked the USS Cole (Then, as now, leadership was reluctant to call it "terrorism" and it is my belief that is when al-Qaeda started to feel empowered to attempt an attack on US soil)
• 2004: September 11

There are some in leadership willing to call it "terrorism" - but none of these are running for political office. This morning I read this article from Reuter's describing the attack as "deliberate and organized:" http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/29/us-usa-libya-intelligence-idUSBRE88R1EG20120929

just Sheri, wishing we were electing leaders instead of politicians

Concern over global economy

When I read articles like this I think, "perhaps our expectation of constant growth is unrealistic."

What would happen if our leaders adjusted their expectations of growth and made decisions grounded in reality? What if...

IMF's Lagarde voices concern over global economy
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE86505J20120706

a positive spin on the economic downturn

It is impossible to get away from talk about the economy - impossible.  It is every where. Daily. Stock market values.  Unemployment rates.  Housing prices. And on. And on. And on it goes.

While I have many friends who have been severely, adversely affected by the economic downturn.  While the last home I owned lost value quickly due to the housing market bust and I had to sell it at a loss simply to get out of the six monthly payments I was making on it from a far away place.  While much of the bad news is based in fact, not fiction...it isn't all bad.

When investing in my retirement account, I can actually buy whole shares of stock rather than just portions of it.  In the 90's when I started investing in retirement accounts, I remember only being able to get fractions because of the high value.

When buying my first home around 2001, I remember being told by mortgage lenders that any interest rate under 10% was excellent.  Now a home buyer would balk at such a rate.  Low interest rates is another perk of a sluggish economy.

The area we now live is expensive.  Five years ago, we would have NEVER been able to afford a piece of property or home here.  Home values have dropped 55% since then.  It sucks for those who are now upside down in their mortgage, but for a newcomer like me, this makes ownership more attainable.

Stocks, interest rates and home values were valued so high - it kept out many from my generation.  For those of us who are now lucky enough to be employed, the downturn has made such luxuries accessible.

I don't share this with any disrespect to those who are suffering.  Just to point out, that an economic downturn isn't all bad.

just Sheri, finding the silver lining

re-emergence of human trafficking

I have never taken a job with a focus on human trafficking. However, this issue has emerged in every endeavor I have been a part of in the past seven years. To me, that speaks to the prevalence of this issue.

I have been writing on this blog about human trafficking since 2008. You can read those posts: here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. It is mentioned many more times, but these are the posts dedicated specifically to the topic.

In November I returned to America. Though I know that America is a destination point for humans that are trafficked and I am well aware that this is a global issue - I didn't expect to run in to it. Then BAM! There it was again, rearing it's ugly head.

Human trafficking appeared almost immediately when I started volunteering for the Community Foundation health research project. Someone suggested I include it in the report. I hadn't considered the possibility. I started asking around and the results were astounding. Yes, human trafficking was an issue of concern - even in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

At one interview I had an undergraduate intern with me. The interview subject worked for an organization helping individuals overcome substance abuse. Near the end of our interview I asked the question about human trafficking. Oh, the stories they had to tell! When we got back in the car, the intern was in shock. I told her I felt like I had robbed her of some innocence, simply by having her present during those graphic descriptions. She mentioned it for weeks.

The 2010 global Trafficking in Persons report states the need in the United States for education of law enforcement - how to recognize and address the problem. Given one local news story, I agree with that recommendation. One interviewee told me a horrible story of police behaving badly. Apparently, in an effort to crack down on prostitution local detectives were participating in sex acts with the accused. When asked why they behaved in such a manner, the detectives said the sex acts were necessary because the ladies "don't speak much English." The obvious question, at least in my mind, is - where did these girls come from? It would seem to me they were victimized multiple times - trafficked, sexually exploited, and then treated as criminals. I am not making this up, you can read this story in the Washington Post.

After I was made aware of the issue locally, I also learned that Virginia was forming an anti-trafficking task force. Good move. But, they were limiting the majority of activities to the big city of Richmond. That is unfortunate.

I have also learned that not all cops behave badly (thankfully!). In my new job I was told a story of an officer who rescued some girls from a brothel, and rather then prosecute them he worked to find them a safe place to stay. He enlisted the help of a faith-based youth residential facility. That facility has now taken on this issue as one of their own.

When discussions began with this youth facility and they mentioned human trafficking as one of their focus services, I shouldn't have been surprised. It seems to come up so often I should expect it by now. But, I didn't. The issue of human trafficking had, once again, found it's way in to my work.

just Sheri, beginning to think this is more than coincidence

P.S. One of the largest, and most effective, organizations addressing this issue right now is Polaris Project. Click on their logo to learn more about their work.

voting with my dollars

When I was living overseas something changed in me. I became very aware of where my dollars were going. Not in a budgeting sense, but as a matter of social conscientiousness. I had heard the term "voting with dollars," but certainly didn't make conscious choices about how I spend my money to advance social endeavors. 

That has changed. 

I am much more aware of where I spend money to buy groceries or clothes, to eat out, or in any other consumer action. My consumerism has become more intentional. Kenyon and I eat out hardly ever, mostly I cook. However, when I have to set business meetings I choose local restaurants. I buy our groceries at a local grocer or the farmers market. I want my dollars to support good causes. I have even done the majority of my clothes shopping at thrift stores - it's amazing how many never worn items are available at discount prices.

This month I am officially out of the "uninsured" category and have moved to the "insured" category of individuals. Now that I have health insurance I am going to set some much needed doctors appointments. First on the list is a dentist. I haven't been to a dentist in two-years (or more). There weren't many options where we have lived recently and we weren't covered for such things when visiting the U.S. On our last home leave (in 2010) we tried to get dental appointments at the free clinic, but were unsuccessful due to the high demand for these services and our limited time frame. 

I was excited about my upcoming dentist appointment. One of the people out with us that night said, "you are excited to go to the dentist?" Yes, sir. I now realize what a luxury a dentist visit is. Such luxuries aren't available in most of the world, nor to the uninsured in our country. I am only now leaving those categories to the privileged position of an insured person living in America. You betcha I am excited to go to the dentist. Bring it on!

His wife asked me how I chose my dentist. She had recently had a bad dental experience with her current dentist and was shopping around. I told her it was simple. Having experienced the struggles of the uninsured first-hand. I chose the local Community Health Center as my dental office. Most of their clients are the uninsured and they work hard to raise money to keep this service going. They are trying to up their client mix to 25% insured to help underwrite the costs for everyone else. I am happy to take my business to their medical office so they can keep their doors open and help others. I am voting with my dollars.

just Sheri, excited to visit the Community Health dentist

Americas struggle with literacy

Did you know that in the United States there are individuals graduating high school who are functionally illiterate? That doesn't seem like it should be true. But, it is. The reasons for it are too numerous to mention here.

I was talking with my friend Allison about this recently and she told me about a study in Detroit that found 47% of adults in that city were functionally illiterate. Wow!

What is functionally illiterate? It means the individual has trouble with reading, writing, speaking and computation skills. I don't have to tell you the difficulty one would have in the job market, or simply functioning in the world, if they struggle with these skills.

Click here to read the article on Detroit. Detroit isn't the only city with this issue. It is happening across the United States. It is happening in the city I live. Whether you are aware of it, or not, it is happening in the city you live. It shouldn't be, but it is.

For the betterment of our society, we shouldn't just accept this. We should do something about it.

just Sheri, hoping to improve the literacy level of at least one adult

It is a tough time to be a brown person in America

Alabama passes tough illegal-immigration law
http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_6775/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=nqehetEc

After the Arizona law passed, my Hispanic family joked that we all better carry our (U.S.) passports so we don't get deported. I am starting to wonder if it is going to be necessary soon. Ay-carumba!

What happened to "give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breath free?" (The Statue of Liberty inscription)

Apparently we should change that to "get out and stay out!"

just Sheri, standing on the side of freedom

unemployment rates: reality check

In our short time in America I am realizing that the posted unemployment rate of under 10% seems to be an under representation of reality...or maybe it is just that those I know have drawn a bad hand? I don't think that is likely.

As a cross-section of society, representing the young and educated sector (early thirties to mid-forties) unemployment is common. More common than less than 10%.

When leaving a dinner party the other night I realized that of the five adults in the room...only one was employed. One. Now granted, Kenyon and I were two of those adults so that is an unfair statistic...but I share it to make a point. Unemployment is common. Period. That is a bit scary when we are trying to re-enter the job market after a cross-continent move.

But, it does have me thinking a bit about the unemployment rate. Is it possible it is higher than reported and that there are people like Kenyon who have now been unemployed for years, thus no longer qualifying for unemployment benefits and possibly are no longer counted in the statistic - though still very much unemployed?

What do you think? From your experience, does the unemployment rate seem to be accurate?

Just Sheri, wondering about the reliability of statistics

Declaration of Financial Independence

In honor of election season I thought I would write a semi-political post. I am a fiscal conservative that believes in helping the needy. I know the two are often considered mutually exclusive. One political party likes to claim one of these ideals over another. I have never fully understood this as I don't see the two as opposites, but rather they are both worthy pursuits.

The two can co-exist - I believe I am proof of this fact. However, my approach is (voluntary) individual sacrifice for the good of the whole at a household level, rather than a national level (which ends up being compulsary through taxation). I think that system assumes the worst about people - that if given the chance we would choose not to be generous. I choose to assume that everyone wants to make a difference in the world, some are just waiting for the right opportunity to act.

My financial institution recently sent out a challenge called the Declaration of Financial Independence. What is that? I copied it below. I signed it. It is something I believe and try to live.

1.We will spend less than we earn. Saving a little out of every dollar we bring home is the foundation of independence. Without it, we can't build equity in our home, we can't invest for the future, and we can't be ready for challenging times.

2.We will use our home as a savings account. Besides shelter and comfort for our family, the role of a house in our financial life is to build equity. We will have a healthy down payment when we buy. We'll choose the mortgage that lets us pay down the principal fastest. And then we'll leave that equity safe where it is instead of spending it on things that don't last.

3.We will take care of our money. It's not enough to have money in a bank. We will put it where it will grow. We'll keep track of it. And we'll check every account we have every year to protect ourselves against fraud or escheatment.

4.We will defend our credit worthiness. Good credit is going to be precious in the years to come. We will pay our bills on time. We'll borrow only when we need to and in amounts we can comfortably pay back. And then we'll do just that.

5.We will ignore unsolicited credit card marketing. We decide when we need a credit card, not some marketer. And mostly, we probably don't need another one at all. We won't even open those solicitations. We'll shred them.

6.We will know the cost of borrowing. The interest lenders charge us is real money, too. When we buy a mortgage or finance a purchase, we'll figure out what that interest is really going to cost in dollars, add it to the purchase price, and ask ourselves if it's still worth it.

7. We will invest for the long term. Futures are built out of patience and prudence, not luck. We will not put off being a saver because we think there's a lottery win in our future, in Vegas or on Wall Street.

8.We will take care of the things we have. We work hard for our money, and it's disrespectful to waste it - or the planet - by treating our possessions as disposable.

9.We will remember what matters. We are not the things we own. If we have to spend and spend on bigger, more impressive things to keep up with our friends, then they are not our friends at all.

I would have been excited to see a political leader stand up and challenge America to do these things in the last political election - rather than the talk of bail outs (which turned in to exactly what I expected - increased deficits and little to show for it). If every American could commit to this - we could have avoided the recession we experienced or could be climbing out by now. This is a challenge to think long-term. To live values. To be responsible. These are good and prudent practices that ultimately benefit everyone. The more money I have in my pocket, the more money I have to give to those in need - rather than pay interest on my debt.

There is a final declaration...

10.We will be heard. Our representatives in government and the corporations we deal with need to know that we are paying attention. If we're silent, we're accepting the status quo, and the business practices that got our country into this situation will continue. We are not going to accept that.

If deficit spending doesn't work in my personal budget, why would it be a good idea on a national level? It's not. Just like the large homes that were bought and then lost to forclosure - some day the bill is going to come due. We will pay. And I am quite sure as a nation we have not done an adequate job assessing the cost of our borrowing.

Will you agree to this declaration? Why or why not?

Sheri

P.S. I have posted about this before - you can read those posts here, here, and here.

Deep thoughts: Marital rape - is it possible?

I recently read an article about a Muslim cleric who declared rape in marriage is not possible as sex is part of the marriage relationship. You can read the article here.

As a Christian, female I must admit there was a time I agreed with this cleric. I struggled with the idea of marital rape. Wouldn't standing before God and witnesses and saying "I do" be considered consent? How could anyone prove otherwise? It's hard enough to prove rape when there is not an existing sexual relationship with the perpetrator.

The dictionary defines rape as an act of sexual intercouse that is forced upon a person. That suggests that every time a couple has sex, consent must be given.

At that time, I was surprised to learn that marital rape is a criminal act in all 50 states in the U.S. (and apparently is also illegal in Britain according to the article). A moral code can differ from our legal code of conduct.

I have come around to believe marital rape does exist and is a painful experience. Rape is a violation. The pain of the violation is not determined by whether the person was a stranger; or living in the same home and sharing a bed. Forced sex is rape. Period.

What do you think? Can rape occur in marriage or is the exchange of vows perpetual consent?

Sheri

affordable healthcare?

On March 23, 2010 the Affordable Health Care Act became law. It made international news (before, during and after). CNN called it "Making History."

After watching a town hall meeting on the topic, I posted my thoughts. I still feel the same way.

This is all ancient history. Why am I bringing it up now? It's already gone in the win column and the world has moved on. Right?

I am bringing it up because I don't think the "reform" fixed anything and my husband I encountered the problems that persist.

When living in Cambodia, Kenyon went to a kick-boxing class. He didn't have the right equipment, but he wanted to try it out. He hurt his wrist. Months later it still hurt. Medical care is difficult to come by in the developing world and good care is often very expensive. Kenyon has health insurance, but it only covers emergency medical evacuation and catastrophic illness. My employer only covers my health insurance and we couldn't afford the alternative. The insurance world doesn't know how to deal with the whole "international" thing - frankly, they panic.With or without insurance, Kenyon needed an x-ray.

While in Kansas City we visited the KC Free Clinic. Why? Well, the clue is in it's name...it's free. We had to call a day ahead of time and wait on the phone for a long time, but free is all we could afford. The free clinic has it's limitations, for instance they don't have an x-ray machine. They referred us to the state run hospital.

Since we cannot prove residency in any US state right now based on their residency rules we were not eligible for medical financial assistance. When we were told the price to run an x-ray our jaws dropped. Did we not mention we just came from the free clinic? Do you think we would have gone there if we had another choice?

Kenyon did not get an x-ray. His wrist still hurts.

I thought health care problem was fixed? Isn't that what all the hype was about? Am I missing something? Because from where I am sitting, I still see problems and would certainly not call health care affordable. Just sayin'...

Sheri

Interesting International Facts: Kingpin Law

Did you know?

In 1999, the US Government enacted a law known as the Kingpin Law. I'd never heard of it until recently. Essentially, the Kingpin Law is aimed at drug traffickers. It targets business interests and restricts access to the US financial system for those identified as drug traffickers. If you're interested, you can read about the designation act here. This summary states: "The Kingpin Act authorizes the President to take these actions [sanctions] when he determines that a foreign person plays a significant role in international narcotics trafficking."

Recently, President Obama gave this designation to a prominent business family in Mozambique. I found out through an email from the embassy. That was the first time I heard of this law. There were three businesses listed and an announcement that American citizens are advised against using these businesses and federal dollars (NGO dollars) are forbidden from being spent with these companies. One of them is the Maputo Shopping Center. There is a movie theatre, restaurants, a grocery store and the best electronics available at this shopping center. Basically, there are things we are looking for that we have only found available there. Since we were advised by our government to sanction these businesses, we have not returned. Which means, living in the developing world, we have further limited our access to goods and services.

I read an email today, that at least one of the businesses, a taxi company in a province we work in, is seriously struggling since the sanctions were put in place. NGO's who had contracts for drivers have looked for these services elsewhere. Losing lucrative NGO contracts was a huge loss to them financially and the taxi business is not expected to make it to the end of the year.

Will this change the actions of the drug trafficker? I don't know. What are your thoughts on sanctions?

I can tell you, from current experience, it does take some effort on this end to comply with the request of my homeland.

paying for loyalty?

I've never been a fan of the Iraq war. Not from the first day it was mentioned, until today. I did understand the reasons for invading Afghanistan following 9-11. I believe Clinton's policy of "stop or I'll yell stop again" when the Taliban attacked the USS Cole and a foreign embassy, etc, had actually emboldened the Taliban to try something like the attack on the Twin Towers. As attacks escalated I believed it was only a matter of time until there was an attack on US soil...and then there was. Following the events of 9-11, to stand by and do nothing would have been irrespoinsible. However, I believe involvement in Iraq took our attention away from results in Afghanistan, but now we are there and have destabilized the country, so to pull out at this point would also be irresponsible. Enough about Iraq, this post is about the ongoing question of what to do to weaken the Taliban.

Obama is suggesting we pay Taliban loyalists to defect. You can read the news article from the NY Times here. Sure, there will be plenty of takers to accept the money and they will tell us whatever needs to be said to get the money. However, is loyalty bought truly reliable or sustainable? If loyalty could be bought, what happens when the next bidder comes around asking for loyalty? Will loyalties change again? This sounds like a great plan to be able to claim some victories through monitary incentive, but will it actually make our country safer from the Taliban? I don't think so. The conflict is ideological, not economic.

What do I think would actually make a difference? I believe in the diplomacy of deeds. I believe good can melt even the most bitter and evil heart. Want to make a difference in Afghanistan? Do more good, give young people a different option to matter in this world, give them hope of a brighter future and follow through on these promises to also win the hearts of their parents. I believe more of this will truly change the world - even in Afghanistan.

Quotable Quotes

"Leadership is a blessing, no matter how difficult, it is a gift."

~ Tony Blair, former UK Prime Minister