Not Such A Wonderful World These Days

I've said before and I'll say again, I think Hillary Clinton probably has the toughest job in the Obama administration. That's probably why she isn't getting much air time these days. She's working. The world is a mess and she is our face person. I'm just wondering when the administration is going to allow her to kick it up a notch. Or maybe Obama flitting around Las Vegas touting solar energy that provides power for 25% of an Air Force base is more important.

The news today that North Korea has decided to no longer abide by the armistice that ended the Korean "police action" does not bode well. Especially paired with their recent nuclear test and threat to fire upon Japanese and U.S. ships.

Robert Gibbs, Press Secretary, saying these actions won't get North Korea the attention it craves is interesting. It would seem they're getting quite a bit of attention from the rest of the world.

Then there is the fall out from the Netanyahu talks. His insistence to continue building in settlements within what is supposed to be Palestinian territory along with his coolness toward a two state solution also does not bode well. King Abdullah of Jordan has warned for months now that unless and until the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is resolved there will be no peace in the Middle East. He may know of which he speaks since he is right in there.

Last but not least are our Pakistani friends who gave huge concessions to the Taliban in the Swat Valley to keep the peace only to find themselves being suddenly overrun. To their credit they are making an effort to push the Taliban back but a tremendous price has already been paid.

Follow the link to the Times Online and watch the video, if you have the stomach for it, to see what they did to a 17 year old girl who supposedly refused the marriage proposal of a Taliban commander.

Think about how much aid we give to all these countries. We never withdraw it. They thumb their nose at us or rattle their sabers and it seems like all we do is give them more. The last thing in the world I would advocate is more war. We should just pull the purse strings shut and let them fend for themselves. After all, it's the technique being used against those who the administration considers greedy corporate executives!

Think what we could do for our own country with the savings. Pay off our debts to those who don't like us very much like China. Maybe even shore up Social Security and Medicare for the likes of me. I can think of a few hundred other uses for those billions, too. Can't you?