Dont discriminate, innovate.

Inovation. The ideas that make us strong. It is not physical prowess that makes us truly strong, it is the power of ideas-the mind. Our inventions drive our success, but the candle of the innovator is easily snuffed out. Regulations relating to student visas have tightened greatly since 9/11, rendering it very hard to get permission to come here and learn and be Americanized, spreading our ideals and innovating here as well as abroad. We have always attracted the worlds best and brightest minds. Freedom has an attractive lure. But between antiquated patent laws to these new limits on fresh minds arriving here, we are stifling that which makes us strong. We must have the next BIG thing. Why the bush administration has not taken the situation to inspire a huge push for a new form of energy is beyond me. the possibilities are out there, and the nation that has control over the best thing since sliced bread will control the destiny of the world-yes?

hearts, minds, etc...

The phrase "hearts and minds" has been entered into recent American vernacular by our current administration, yet it lacks the american element that makes us strong-money. It is a lot easier for a populace that has even half of the current Iraqi unemployment rate of 78 per cent to assimilate into a secular capitalistic society. It shall be free and rich, and liberty, security, and stability shall follow. Iraqi children playing with their new baseball gloves (Wilson, of course) will go home to hot meals and hopefully the fabric of a society can begin to be sewn. This is the endgame, right? the best CAN be made of the situation. the methods of arriving at this point have no real bearing on my statements. The current "rebuilding" budget amounts to a mere 18 billion dollars and so much more is needed. Of course, the Iraqis may be a conglomeration of peoples not logically meant to meld as one, but a dysfunctional family has the advantage of sitting on enough Texas tea to sip on for miles. We shall pay, and we must. The Iraqis need a J O B. Millions of people were left jobless in what i believe was a critical mistake-the firing of the defence force as well as the government administration. These people knew their jobs and were (mostly and hopefully) willing to continue them under the new potentate. But now is a critical time, for nations must be built and delivered within a short time in the world populace's lust for instant gratification. Major public works employment must take place as soon as possible. If we must publicly employ half the work force, then do it-all the while encouraging foreign investment and individual entrepreneurship among ALL Iraqis. Capitalism can take root easily and gradually, but the spread would be contagious. show the Iraqis jobs and cash, and let them innovate. They can do it and wish to as well. How could they not? Freedom of the press, due process for all, and the rest of a bill of rights must be included in the Iraqi constitution and should be in place even now in the provisional government. Encourage ideas, and the free flow of information. Extremism may still exist after these things take place but it will become the fringe, and society itself will not allow it to become majority rule. These processes should have been taking place already, but we have been slow on mobilization of the economy. if this can somehow take root in a form as small as a mustard seed in iraq and help those people, i say help them. or figure out something better. just do not occupy their country with extreme prejudice and call it humanitarian. help them please, W. may 2k4

complexity

thinking about the complexity of the world sometimes overwhelms me, especially when i try to pull it all together in one complete picture in my mind. the task is nearly impossible. onwards. i, as a seemingly insignificant part of the maelstrom that is the world, do exist and am thinking. the "borders" of our (american) overriding worldwide cultural and fiscal domination are being attacked, as is natural, by forces of discontent and disorder. our natural response-i am not in agreement with our methods and am trying to keep out of a political circular argument, but our response is to defend our culture and way of life. who knows who will win. the romans had many signs of thier downfall, but in the end, their leaders could not grasp the big picture and their world fell. will ours?

postmodern imperialism

We must show these people; the majority of whom wish to feed their families along with working-somewhere, allowing them to better their standard of living. I am talking about the grand experiment in injecting democracy and order into a foriegn society. This must take place in iraq. Reasoning for entering the conflict in beyond the scope of my argument or point. we must build an entire standard of hope. There are ways. More thoughts to come. Anybody outh there

I am thinking, therefore i know i matter.

I think on a daily basis. Well more than just a daily basis-it is more on a 24/7 schedule. I must debate in my head the issues, the sky, existence and the realization that we are. Romans. Americans. The same path we both are on. They dominated in physical presence while we dominate in the psyche of every person on the planet. China adores Nixon, while we adore Friends. Rome adored sport and lavishness. We took that lavishness to an unprecedented widespread level of wealth. Thoughts for today 5-12-04.

Zach
Coastal Bend
Texas