Thursday, July 22, 2004

Posted here Thursday, July 22, 2004 at 9:50:45 AM     Yet, the hints I have gotten this morning about suitcase bombs is rather terrifying. I can see why those at the top of government are not capable of rational thought. We should develop a potential response to such an event. First we will recover we will help everyone hurt, physically, materially, psychologically (much better than we did in NY). Make Juliani head of a response team now work on redundancies of financial systems food systems energy systems transportation systems now And of course the way the world works, we can expect surprises. the kidnap scenario is in play. We need to imagine major kidnappings *in the US*. "We will cut the head off of XX or blow up with him if you attack (it could even be in a motel 6), unless you do YY." The issue is, what combination of carrots and sticks will we need to give? I imagine that terrorism will move toward large issues in exchange for big lives - say major entertainment or sports  figures. "We will allow XX to leave if you do YY" where YY is something as major as"put half the defense budget into third world hunger and health". You know, something well calculated to gain sympathy. Such is our time. In the meanwhile we need to stress the positive. ********

Posted here Thursday, July 22, 2004 at 9:39:52 AM     I think we might all agree that a middle path, keeping business but asking for state charters that impose some conditions, and an international agreement that quality of life for all, not just a few. is better, more secure, and that education is vitally important, not just for economics, but for citizenship and the benefits of a good private, communal, and artistic life. If we combined that with the view that tech and capital can go together to meet tough environmental standards (for land, workers and consumers)and law supports small and regional business and is not aimed (as most regulation) as supporting the large system businesses, we might get somewhere A commitment to values - life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - is pretty good. I ask this question - is business 1. a right given that some who can take advantage can get private wealth 2. the way society meets human needs and creates incomes for most? it is striking how deep the logic of #1 has taken over. Business must be seen as a societal strategy, not merely an individual right. And each of us need to work on perfecting the quality of our own life, and helping others do the same. It is the failure of the US to live its own identity that creates such hatred - nothing like a failed exemplar to stimulate resentment.   ********