Times of Pakistan

Earlier today, gunmen dressed in police uniforms assaulted a police academy in Pakistan, killing twelve people, wounding over ninety police officers, and taking dozens more hostage. The attack lasted for eight hours. Accusations as to who the terrorists are go from angry Indians to the Taliban to Sunni extremists.

Three gunmen killed themselves to avoid being caught, while four other gunmen were arrested. Videos showed many police officers hopping over the academys walls and fleeing the scene.

Back up.

Isnt that a civilians job? To run away from the gunfire? Youre a damn POLICE OFFICER. YOU stay at the scene, while the CIVILIANS run away. Credit to the police officers that stayed and drew their rifles.

Do we need to send more troops into Pakistan to train the Pakistan security? I certainly hope not. We already are doing that in Iraq. While it is helping there, we cant be sending U.S. troops all over the Middle East.

Where did these gunmen get police uniforms? Is there an inside man supplying them with uniforms?

Worse, some gunmen have escaped. I have no doubt these terrorists will plot another attack. Thats just what these heartless extremists do. Theyll never stop. A quick response to these suicidal maniacs is “theyll run out of suicide bombers, those morons.” Thats not true. Every day, children are recruited into the army of Islamofascism, by force or by volunteering. Hell, even women are being used as suicide bombers.

President Obama promised aid to Pakistan in the amount of security and military equipment.

Heres hoping it helps.

http://www.conservative09.wordpress.com

In Iraq the problems is not security but lack of democracy. And democracy is not about elections but about economically and politically independent middle class which is lacking in Iraq. We have corrupt government that supports corruption in politics and the economy and is widely perceived by the United State and it is. Until that changes no amount of military involvement will make any difference.

The only way to turn things around is if US projects in Iraq are open for competition including international. That will bring more transparency and lead to better efficiency and effectiveness of US involvement in Iraqi economy, bring in willing Europeans, Chinese, Russians and possibly Indians, lead to Iraqi economic revival and ultimately discredit militants.

The same is valid for Pakistan and Afghanistan.. At present poor tribal villagers have no choice but to succumb to Taliban and Al-Quaeda bullying and grow opium for them for lack of other productive opportunities. For sure militants can be defeated only by armed force but that alone have proven unsuccessful in the long run. Depriving the armed groups of their financial and popular support is the key to defeating them. Military action will be the last not the primary concern.

Europe is in very precarious position and that has unique possibilities for development. Eastern Europe is in serious trouble and Western Europe seems reluctant to help. The US can promote its own agenda through economic help which could be financial but more important intellectual in the sphere of management while utilizing local engineering talent. The same applies to Russia. Pushing NATO agenda is a lose – lose situation. For Eastern Europeans (Czechs for example) the attempt to build a US missile base on their territory is just another attempt to bring foreign troops on Czech soil just when they got rid of the Russians. Other Eastern European nations will interpret it just the same. Membership in the Russia led Warsaw pact was cemented with cheap Russian oil and gas. I doubt the US is prepared to pay for such questionable loyalty. Yet the Obama administration has the unique chance of forging an independent of Western Europe policy towards Eastern Europe based on economic (not military) cooperation and win the loyalty of the people of Eastern Europe who are tired of being exploited as cheap labor and environmental dump of Western Europe not to mention Russian bullying.

Putins Russia is at a crossroads. It will be unwise to antagonize them in these difficult times, There are many converging interests where both countries can work together for shared benefit. Lets not forget that d?tente led to perestroika and ultimately to the dismantling of the oppressive Soviet Union and its system of international domination while more than forty years of isolation did nothing to change the regime in Cuba. There is no use lamenting the plight of Russian “businessmen bullied by their government as most of them are common crooks owing their riches to the lawlessness of the Yeltsin era, on the other hand murdering journalists and letting the assassins walk free is a crime against freedom of speech not to be condoned..

I believe it will be beneficial if the Obama administration leans a bit harder on China not only on human rights but on North Korea too.

I know keeping the criminal regime there in power is in the interests of those who favor US military presence in South Korea but its not sustainable in the long run and ultimately detrimental to US interests and the interests of the people in the region. So North Korea must go and the signal must come from the White House.

Israel? The Israelis are among the most intelligent people in the world. I am sure they just wait for the sign of where the prevailing winds will blow. But the sign must be consistent enough I dont think there is an easy solution. A federation of Jews and Arabs seems like a good idea but may be impossible to implement. In any case more than sixty years of realpolitik in the region didnt lead to anything good. It is time for innovative solutions taking into account not the interests and preferences of corrupt governments and shady terrorist organizations but the real world interests of the people in the region regardless of their religions, national or political affiliation..

The same is valid for Latin Americans who have yet to see an United States administration treating them with respect as people regardless of the corrupt governments, corporate interests and mafias.

I believe it is self evident that any American administration should conduct its foreign policy based on the premise that we are all created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights.

I am a thinker, poet and apprentice philosopher. I love to travel and meet people. I believe in beauty, happiness, and above all reason based on understanding to be achieved only through, freedom, intelligence and prosperity.
Alex Great

When you see an article in the newspaper that the New York City Police Department is adding extra security to city Synagogues in anticipation of an attack, youd better sit up and take notice. Such a piece appeared last week.

In the coming days or weeks Israel will be making an important decision that will affect Jews worldwide. That decision is its response to Irans nuclear program and Irans President Mahmoud Ahmadinejads threat of destroying Israel as soon as he has the capability to do so.

Debate rages about how close Iran is to fielding nuclear weapon technology. Unfortunately by the time we find out it will be already be too late.

Iran has a capability today that could make parts of Israel uninhabitable for tens of thousands of years. It can do so by delivering dirty bombs filled with radioactive particulates perched atop their already proven missile technology. They are button-push away from launch.

As has happened my times before, Israel is being painted into a corner from which it can only emerge through aggressive measures of self-defense. Indeed when our lives are threatened, Torah allows for a proactive strike against our enemies.

Israel is caught in a deadly Catch 22. If the country waits to react to Irans threats it will be too late, missiles will already be in the air. If it acts now it risks igniting a fierce regional conflict drawing the world into subduing Iran, which has already declared that if attacked it will strike at oil shipments in the Persian Gulf. In many ways Iran is as much a global problem as it is Israels.

It must come as a surprise to Ahmadinejad that President Obama has not turned out to be the wimp he had eagerly anticipated. Indeed Ahmadinejad must be feeling uneasy as Iran is encircled by American military forces.

In Afghanistan new personnel arrive daily. The Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea resemble parking lots for the American navy. Troops in Iraq have handed off daily duties to the Iraqi army freeing them up to be ready in the event that they are needed. Even Russia and Pakistan are quietly but firmly sidling up with the U.S. Action is coming and its coming soon.

Aside from attacking oil shipments, Iran has another weapon in its arsenal, one in which it is the authority; terrorism. Hence the warning.

Jews worldwide are in danger of being targeted in retribution for an Israeli incursion into Iran. I say this not to instill fear. On the contrary, it is a caution designed to make the 15 million Jews in the world aware so that they are forewarned and, as such, forearmed.

Whatever groups you belong to – temples, schools, and community organizations – should put security plans in place today. Today, not tomorrow. There will be no advance notice of a threat.

Personal protection plans likewise should be reviewed so that you and your family know what to do in the event of an emergency. Contacts with the local police is encouraged to make them aware of concerns so that they can react quickly should their help be needed. One can only hope that this warning is unnecessary. However, caution is the armor of the wise.

On a final note and this is addressed to the rest of the world. It is high time to acknowledge Israel as a world diplomatic ally and true partner as the U.S. does. As the sole democracy in the Middle East and the seat of Western religious faith, Israel is a true member of the international community; it has proven so again and again.

Now is as good a time as any to stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel and protect this tiny country from the forces that threaten it and its people.

Pesach Sameach

Evin Daly is a journalist and publisher of http://www.ButlerReport.com (World News Update). Evin is the founder and Director of http://www.AbuseWatch.net a child abuse prevention group. He is also a Guardian ad Litem at the 15th judicial circuit in Palm Beach.