Category Archives: Humanity

Syrian Crisis: Call for Common Sense or WW III ?

© 2013  by Raymond Alexander Kukkee   [caption id="attachment_2010" align="aligncenter" width="620"]photo by phaewilk (morguefile)             Darkening Skies               photo by phaewilk (morguefile)[/caption]

      "Clearly something must be done.  Why not try common sense?

Darkening Skies

The world is waiting with abated breath for the next indicator, any indicator at all that might reveal whether  President Barack Obama and the United States of America  will up the ante in the Syrian crisis, ratchet up the tension more with additional warships, more rocket testing, or if he will  just arbitrarily  light a  fuse,  and bomb the crap out of Syria's President Bashar al Assad and his palace out of existence and  complete the destruction of Syria regardless of proposals or solutions offered.

President Assad, for the record, emphatically denies any use of chemical warfare upon his own people and blatantly  warns "any and all retaliation" if  the USA bombs Syrian targets.  How lovely.  "Let's all save face". Let's allow the mindless to create reality that results in real people dying. More people, that would be.  With an estimated 100,000 people having already died in the Syrian destruction.   "The US should expect every action". Right.

How encouraging. A red line and another red line, taunts and promises, sticks, stones, broken bones,  and how many red lines shall we cross?  Kind of reminds you of little 10-year-old brats at recess, doesn't it, daring other little brats to cross lines scuffled with sneakers in the sand of a playground.  This, however, is decidedly not play.  It is international posturing and war-mongering, not marbles....  Let's keep that in mind.

Will the ugly dogs of war  be once more unleashed, or will the world collectively  force encourage our 'so-called-leaders'  to  use some genuine intelligence in this crisis, and call for common sense?  That would be refreshing, and  a united, positive call for action based on international law and diplomacy in this specific crisis would undoubtedly  save  thousands --but even more worrisome, perhaps even millions of lives. Potentially, WW III  can happen.  "If it can happen it invariably does"  comes to mind.

Dealing with The Syrian Crisis is no longer merely  a "Game of Credibility"

There's a lot at stake. Let's all grow up now, children,  Barack, Bashar, and Vladimir,  and recognize WW III is a possibility if stubborn leaders allow their "egos" and "saving face"  and "credibility"  issues to be more important than humanity itself.  Make no mistake about it.  We don't much care whether individual politicians and leaders "lose credibility" or are embarrassed by their mistakes and ineptitude or not  if thousands, or  millions of people will be killed in the process,  do you?   

"Did Bashar do it? Of course..well, er, Not...er...maybe..er.. 

Whether or not Bad Boy Bashar  (B.B.B.) personally approved the use of chemical weapons  is debatable;  we, the ordinary people of the world have absolutely no way of confirming which pack of lies is "more true" than the next, isn't that  a conundrum?   Having trundled  the USA into  Iraq based upon a pack of lies isn't exactly the most encouraging precedent, is it, Mr. President?  The fact is, "credibility"  of the USA and it's war machine has been a problem for quite some time, so what else is new?  Worrying about 'credibility' ?   Such offerings of "unproven proof"  are  inexcusably poor reasons to bomb a desperately poor country and perhaps start WW III today--at any stretch of the imagination.

The Boy who Called Wolf  is Choking

The "boy who called wolf" comes to mind;  now, mind you, that foolish little boy didn't have pictures of victims of chemical warfare choking on foaming saliva in their death throes  sent out in social media either, --- ugly, very ugly images indeed have been offered as "truth".  If it is truth,  it is ugly and unacceptable.  The boy didn't have unprecedented collection of data on everyone on earth either, did he....so  fine.  We agree. It is not the end of the story, but no, even IN this modern age, with the abundance of political liars, the big war industry and their  questionable agenda,  we have no way to validate those ugly and distressing pictures, so ....you guessed it, no, it is not fine--or is it?  You decide We don't pretend to know.

One thing is for certain; now world opinion is clearly divided and at an impasse as the US congress, politicians, public and all  point point unsure, nervous  fingers and deny President Obama a clear message. ....but what else could the President really expect?  The wolf really IS at the door.   Perhaps the boy who called wolf really  is choking. This time.

Clearly concrete action must be taken.  Why not try common sense?

Russia Demands action but not logic

Russia's Vladimir Putin is now calling for Syria to surrender their chemical weapons to international supervision . Isn't that lovely?  Why does Syria need chemical weapons at all?  Afraid of who, Iran?  Iraq?  Tiny Jordan?  It's giant ally Russia?  Why is Vladimir Putin not demanding from his "Syrian allies" -- the surrender of  Bashar al Assad, instead,  complete with any and all of his generals, henchmen, and perpetrators or opposition involved in this heinous crime against humanity?

Sorry, Vladimir, with all due respect,  but since your unbelievable veto stopped the UN approval of cooperative military intervention,  we must ask why  your great "power" is not being used --as an ally of Syria-- to simply arrest the criminals in Syria?  Why have you, as a major Syrian ally, not made any attempt to  haul them  off to an international court, and have them  tried for their inconceivably ugly actions against their own people--regardless who they are?

If Bashar al Assad and his people are  innocent of these allegations as he shouts loudly,   why has he not arrested and turned over the REAL perpetrators to international justice?   We ask our readers to think for themselves. Contradictions become apparent immediately.

Does Bashar naively "not know" who is responsible?   As the well-informed and powerful President of Syria, if he does not know who is responsible for use of Syria's weapons of mass destruction--which he is personally responsible for,  he's incompetent.  Is Bashar merely a puppet head of state?

The fact is, If  B.B.B  (Bad Boy Bashar)  does know who is responsible, he is either a) responsible himself,  an arrogant,  mindless, brutal  leader without ethics,   and/or  b)  --he is conspiring  with the guilty to protect the perpetrators  "guilty with his approval or not".   you cannot have it both ways, so which is it? Regardless, Bashar is responsible.

So, which will it be, Common Sense or WW III?

We suggest to all world "leaders" combined,  if there's ever been a time to use "common sense" and use it collectively and sincerely,   it would be now. Does anyone really believe that more chemical warfare, death and mutually-assured destruction is the final solution?

We suspect everyone wishes to be part of the greatest revolution in civilization ever;   forget  collective egos, 'credibility', and power mongering. We all wish to do what is RIGHT for a change; we want to  contribute to some common sense to solve the Syrian Crisis. --and how about now, not "later' at everyone's convenience?

Here at Incoming Bytes we hypothesize it would be inherently brilliant --and in fact, it would be genuine progress in civilization itself -- to gainfully use the power of  big political machines world-wide --and the wealth of the globe united, to precipitate a unique, diplomatic international demand for the arrest of all persons responsible for the use of chemical weapons----whoever they may be--and bring them to international justice at a representative world court.

Sadly, we do not hold our breath, for if mistakes of the past are any lesson, they appear to remain unlearned. We can, however, hope for a universal  call for common sense even if it does not materialize  for another century and  the dust settles from WW III.

Surprisingly, Russia  suddenly  proposed the  placing of  Syria's chemical weapons cache  under international supervision for eventual destruction.     Why so suddenly? To buy time?  To deceive?  Collusion?   To avoid getting found out, accounting for chemical weapons already used? Any and all of the above?   What do you think?

We laud any solution and  movement in the right direction.

Better late than never.

Is that Incoming I hear?

     
Posted in Humanity, Life, Major Issues, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Perception: Milestones and Minutiae

© 2013 by Raymond Alexander Kukkee [caption id="attachment_1998" align="alignleft" width="1000"]101st Hymers Fall Fair 101 st  Annual   Hymers Fall Fair    Banner courtesy of hymersfair.com[/caption] Perception is everything, isn't it? Hot-wired , the air was crackling, dry and cold, it felt like the end of a summer lightning-storm on September 1st,  perhaps a bit too chilly and refreshing.  Regardless, off to the Hymer's  Fall Fair we went,  hoping Winter 2013 would hold off gobsmacking us  for a few hours;  if nothing else out of respect for dedicated and happy annual fair-goers. A complete contradiction to the bright, smoking heat from only a couple of days ago, skies were dull, fast-scudding gray, with erratic bits of cold, reluctant sun. Not fair-going  warm by any standards, the morning could have been much worse, a storm advisory with heavy rain and hail pounded a few unlucky spots the day before. Optimism and hope for a bright, dry fall fair day prevailed in spite,  --after all, attending the 101st annual  Hymers Fall Fair in Northwestern Ontario is a worthy afternoon, a family milestone in itself. An opportunity to observe humanity at it's best. Never miss milestone events or fall fairs. Great advice for writing types.  

The horse show takes us for a ride

[caption id="attachment_1997" align="alignleft" width="275"]Hunter-jumpers  photo courtesy of tbt newswatch.com Hunter-jumpers                           photo courtesy of tbt newswatch.com[/caption]   Hunter-jumpers,  impeccably-groomed, preening young women wearing formal riding habits sit mounted, backs arched,  patting  the necks of tall, perfectly-brushed, glistening horses. Guiding and encouraging  their mounts over discrete, timbered pole jumps neatly bracketed with  hay bales, flowers in bloom and tall fluttering cornstalks, potential faults and refusals, the competitors race against the clock.  Riders  frown, smile, concentrate, inwardly twittering,  nervously trying to  avoid the distraction of  waving  folks huddling  in the bleachers behind the whitewashed 3-plank fence. Distractions are aplenty, a kaleidoscope of people, moving, settling, chatting, mesmerized by flying horses and sophisticated pixie-riders alike, some observers voraciously consuming fries with ketchup,  yellow-mustard-slathered corn dogs on wooden sticks or nursing steaming hot coffee in plastic cups. The smell of food.  No matter.                                                                                                                       Thundering, flashing  hoofs, elegant riders; first second and third prizes, red, blue and white ribbons, blushing pride, great ride, no faults, folks, perfect seat. Perception. A keen sense of achievement, rides and ribbons made far more valuable with friends watching,  knowing, nodding approvals,  congratulations, appreciation and the occasional smug smile. What a ride...come back tomorrow, folks, see the heavy horse show....

Minutiae: Construction of an agricultural fair milestone

Children of all ages dally in the special playground with petting zoo, artwork tables, finger paints, challenging wooden stilts, sand and climbing challenges. Proud mothers in bright dresses sport smiling babies in backpack carriers, happy little painted faces display blue birds, big black spiders,  sun-faces and flowers of all colors on rosy cheeks giggling under slouchy  sun hats. Play and laughter, --pealing bells of laughter, perhaps including poignant echos of  long-gone children playing the same games a century ago.  When is the last time you tried walking on wooden stilts? The Hillop stage, music, singing,  the tallest sunflower contest kids get in free with a sunflower, down below,  the big display,  big pumpkins, best blueberry pie; and row upon row of colorful  preserves in sparkling glass Mason jars, bread &butter pickles,  hot peppers and peaches. First, second and third,  red, blue and white ribbons attached to white tags and cotton string tied with bows.  Orange ribbons too,so many fourths,   "outstanding effort" cookies,   bread loaves, offerings of all description, including buns, apple pies with slatted pastries, and look at those  tediously-decorated cakes. Fair-goers of all descriptions  walk narrow display aisles, nodding, proudly pointing out ribbons, whispering, admiring displays of grandchild art, oil paintings by gifted souls and seniors, wood carvings, floral arrangements,  intricate knitted sweaters, socks and afghans, all  behind mesh wire. Apples galore,  five beans on a plate, purple, green or yellow, no more, no fewer,   bunches of carrots, tops beginning to wilt, onions, potatoes, tomatoes and  proudly-tagged zucchini, cabbages and corn, bottles of homemade wine, kiwi, cherry, blueberry and elderberry. We examine participants of endless agricultural displays, routines and competitions set up, practiced, and admired for 101 years. "Not bad, how are'ya?"   Friendly rivalry; wizened old farmers, knotted, gnarled hands carry diamond-willow walking-sticks, in for the dairy cows and calves show,  animals competition, goats, sheep, rabbits, chickens of all descriptions;  a once-a-year meeting-place of smiling, silver-haired grandmothers, musicians play  Mr. Tambourine Man on the main stage, kids, gawky, awkward teens holding hands, visitors and locals alike, at the moment,  neighbours all. [caption id="attachment_1996" align="alignleft" width="225"]Antique engines Antique engines[/caption]   Characters abound at the  Tired Iron club display.   It is  just down the path toward the dininghall it is, (Roast Turkey & Roast Beef dinners complete with pie from 1-5pm ) Antiques, a row of small, even tiny ancient steam-engines, painted brightly, with heavy flywheels turning,  hit & miss engines fire erratically, puffs of blue smoke, chugging,  jiggling, dancing in the grass like bouncy children delighted to be able to play once a year.  Six horsepower was enough in those days to drive a canvas grain-grinder belt, washing machine or a water pump,  but now drive only the memories of ancient men and their genius, the imaginations of fair-goers  and the  fascination with the hobby of proud mechanical tinkering-types wearing engineer coveralls and smoking pipes. Milestones. This was a good one.  101 more reasons to return.   The temperature rose to the occasion, the sun came out, thousands of visitors attend the two-day family fair, bad weather or not, no exceptions,  lineups at the concession stands swelled, hot-dogs, smoky sausages,  hamburgers, elephant ears, exotic Asian food,  fries, ice cream, kettle-corn and coffee. "Thank you, come back next year", vendors selling crafts, ceramics, wooden toys, local artisans proudly display their own and internationally-hand-made jewelry, exotic trivia,  clothing, Canadian maple syrup, all things good. How about genuine hand-made wool socks and aromatic soaps?  A basket of blueberries?   A 'ticket to win it', want to win an ATV, or the $1500 attendance prize, are you feeling lucky? Perception,  milestones & minutiae, one of the oldest little fall  fairs in Ontario, even Old Sol comes out for the occasion and stays simply because it's fun and  it's  the 101st.  Laughter and music echoes across the fairgrounds from times past...... Lady Luck and volunteers have taken care of the details  for the Hymers Fall Fair-once again.....  It's all good. See you at the fair next year!   Is that Incoming I hear? +  
Posted in Humanity, Life, Publishing, Reflections, The Human Mind, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments