BBC: Wildlife Photographs of the Year

The BBC recently announced their wildlife photographs of the year. They are striking, powerful and beautiful. "Photographer of the Year" was awarded to National Geographic photographer Steve Winter. He took thirteen months to capture a stunning night time image of the endangered snow leopard in Central Asia.

 

The "Young Photographer of the Year" award is one of my favorites of their five categories. This winner was taken by teenager Catriona Parfitt while on a family holiday in Namibia. The action around this waterhole and the number of different animals is just amazing. All sorts of possibilities open up for us with this stunning shot.

PAKISTAN: Shoot to Kill

As an out-of-tune McCain fiddles while Wall Street burns, there is more disturbing news out of Pakistan.  Many of you might have missed the fact that US commandoes have been making incursions from Afghanistan into the neighboring country of Pakistan. If you didn't see it, you're not in the minority -the American press gave it just glancing coverage. But the facts are astonishing: American forces, without permission of the United States Congress, the Pakistani government or any international public discussion, are being sent into armed combat in yet another country.

Where is oversight? In the long term, the implications could be astounding. We might, by our actions, single-handedly drive the nation into the hands of Islamic militants who would then control over 40 nuclear warheads. That's a daunting scenario, is it not? Now comes word through an AP story written by Stephen Graham, called "Pakistan Orders Troops To Open Fire If US Raids" that the Pakistan military has given orders to their commanders and the troops to open fire if the Americans continue to cross their sovereign border. Graham wrote in his AP dispatch:

"Pakistan's military has ordered its forces to open fire if U.S. troops launch another air or ground raid across the Afghan border, an army spokesman said Tuesday.

The orders, which come in response to a highly unusual Sept. 3 ground attack by U.S. commandos, are certain to heighten tensions between Washington and a key ally against terrorism. Although the ground attack was rare, there have been repeated reports of U.S. drone aircraft striking militant targets, most recently on Sept. 12.

Pakistani officials warn that stepped-up cross-border raids will accomplish little while fueling violent religious extremism in nuclear-armed Pakistan. Some complain that the country is a scapegoat for the failure to stabilize Afghanistan."

Seems to me we'd better start discussing these violations of Pakistan's borders before it is too late.

Remember the World? The War? Poverty? Foreclosures?

Governor Sarah Palin's daughter got pregnant. She is only 17 and my heart goes out to the young lady and to her boyfriend for the massive exposure the pregnancy has received from the international media. The debate point - if there is one - is not the unwanted teenage pregnancy -- the point is that her mother, the Governor, pushed for "abstinence only" programs to be taught in Alaska public schools. Bristol Palin's situation - at the very least - might generate some discussion on how that policy is not very effective.

That being said, Governor Palin has won zero points from me in how she has handled this situation. Nevertheless, I expect that the Governor will be in the race until the end. I expected her to deliver a powerful speech last night at the Convention and she will be very effective in the debates. Please, Democrats, do not underestimate this governor from the Pacific Northwest . It would be a serious mistake. One of the reasons I think George Bush even gave Al Gore a race was that he did better in the debates than expected because we all thought he was stupid. Let's not make the same mistake twice.

More importantly, does anyone remember the rest of world out there?

After three days of headlines, front page stories and commentary on Bristol Palin, we seem to have forgotten Iraq, Pakistan, Iran, the poor, tens of thousands of people losing their jobs and homes. This nation is in crisis because of eight years of Republican rule. Our ability to create jobs, pay down our deficit, have a unified nation, help people and bring about justice and peace will dissipate if John McCain and his extreme right-wing running mate are elected.

There is an almost cavalier assumption in the nation's media that the surge has worked and everything is fine in Iraq. The only question is how quickly we can pull out our troops. On the contrary, there is no doubt in my mind that the entire nation is being held together by Scotch Tape. That every day one American soldier is killed, they die needlessly for a war that should have not been fought and that the traditional terms of victory are just not possible. Bombs continue to explode in market places and the hatred between the different sects in Iraq is still very real. We must remind people that it was leadership like John McCain's that got us into a war created by lies and deceit , and that because of that, there is likely no honorable end. He must be held accountable.

The overseas press are reporting that we are preparing for unmanned aircraft to bomb key nuclear installations in Iran. No one is asking any questions or debating the wisdom of this possibility. Is a real plan? What are the consequences? What if Iran opens a second front and we are engaged in a war that rages from Syria to the border of India? Does this mean a draft? Where do we get the troops?

The reconstituted Taliban in Afghanistan is continuing their effective march to Kabul. There seems to be no stopping them. We are sending in 30,000 more troops without a serious debate. We could very quickly find ourselves like the Russians and putting people on helicopters to get them out alive should Kabul fall. The Taliban has major strongholds throughout the southern and eastern mountainous parts of the country. The situation is viewed as critical by many observers. The Republicans love to mindlessly tout that Ronald Reagan won the Cold War. Wrong. The Russians lost the Cold War because Afghanistan effectively bankrupted the nation. The same thing could happen to us.

One of the key problems with the situation in Afghanistan is the that the northwest provinces of Pakistan are strong staging areas for the Taliban. Pakistan has refused to give us the right to bomb or stage operations on its territory. Two years ago I wrote that Pakistan scared the hell out of me and I feel that even more strongly now. With existing nuclear weapons, if the Islamic militants should take control, the world will -overnight - become a much more fragile place. Complicating the situation, the coalition government has become undone. Everyone expects that in the upcoming presidential election the widower of Benazir Bhutto will become President. There is, however, a nagging problem, reported this week by "Newsweek", that Asif Ali Zardari is suffering from serious dementia, depression and PTSD. This is the man that will control the weapons???

Finally, we need to look to our own neighborhoods, Our schools are crumbling. Our education system is becoming a joke. People are being driven out of their homes and many are living in their cars. Hunger is again common place among the American poor. Our elderly are dying in heat waves or cold snaps because of energy prices. The nation has become divided and angry. People are holding one job to pay for gas to get to their other job. The price of food has gone up and forcing parents to serve cheap, unhealthy meals to their children. Our jobs are disappearing and there is a total lack of ideas, vision or plans to come to terms with a declining America.

So, my dear friends, forget poor Bristol and Levi. Show them love and compassion. There are more important things to consider.

Let's get on with this election and win it on the kind of issues that will enable us to create a better America and a more peaceful and just world.

Happenings Around The World

Having attended many Democratic Conventions, I know it is hard to key up with 'secondary news' from around the world. So for all of you focused on Denver (and we hope you are!) here is a summary that will make sure you are current by the end of the week.

Somalia: The BBC News is reporting that Somali insurgents have captured the port city of Kismayo. The fall of the city is a huge victory for Islamic militants in Somalia. Over 100 people have been killed in the pitch battle and nearly 25,000 have lost their homes. The country basically has existed without a functioning government since 1991. The fall of Kismayo guarantees increasing sea piracy with three ships being seized in the last two weeks alone.

Iraq: Remember when the Bush Administration said Obama's call for a timetable would be like aiding and abetting the enemy? Well the Bush/Cheney crowd just reached a timetable agreement with the Iraq Government! The difference is that Bush wants four more years of strife and war and Obama will be out in just over a year. And far from dropping off the radar, the broken country has seen suicide bombings - predominantly staged by women - rise radically in the last two months.

Pakistan: The existing coalition government has suffered a major split with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif pulling his party out of the government. This continues the constant flow of bad news out of this troubled nuclear power.

Sudan: Government troops opened fire on refugees in an encampment killing 27 people. The horror continues to grow in Sudan.

Poland: The Bush Administration, known worldwide for its tin-ear policies, has signed a missile treaty with Poland. Given the Administration's arming of Georgia and pushing it to join NATO, this is yet another example -- as if we needed one - of extraordinarily bad timing. By the way, did you know that Georgia had the third highest number of troops in Iraq after American and Britain? Might explain our policies there. Nothing like putting Poland in Russia's cross hairs so soon after Georgia. If the members of this administration were board members of a corporation, not only would they be fired, they'd be behind bars.

Weather: The Old Farmer's Almanac is predicting one of the most brutal winters in years. The media institution claims to have a 85% accuracy rate in its forecasts. The Northeast and Midwest can expect to experience bone-chilling cold and heavy snows. With heating oil at record highs.

North Carolina: McCain's lead over Obama has shrunk to just 2% while Democratic Senate Candidate Kay Hagen has TIED incumbent Republican Senator Elizabeth Dole.

No on Eight: The Catholic Church has thrown itself totally into the battle to ban marriage equality in California. Considering the sexual scandals that have nearly bankrupted the Vatican, the Church's action gives new meaning to the word, "irony". Not to mention "hypocrisy." Be sure to take a few minutes to read Patrick Range McDonald's article in the LA Weekly called "The Catholic Power Play to Ban Gay Marriage".

New Orleans: Let's not forget that this is the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina this week. The Times-Picayune has a wonderful piece updating the progress (or, more accurately the virulent lack of it...) in New Orleans. Let us never forget the horror of that week and what Bush/Cheney did the people of the Gulf Coast. Click here to get the update.

Lifestyles: Be sure to read David France's excellent article in GQ Magazine called "We All Forgot the Condom". With infections rates climbing, this article is a must-read.

Hiroshima: A Monument to the Horror of War (August 6, 1945)

Afghanistan and Iraq: The Kabul Baghdad Shuttle

This weekend nine American soldiers lost their lives in Afghanistan in a day long battle with Taliban insurgents. For the last two months, more Americans have died in that nation than in Iraq. Pakistan won't allow us to pursue insurgents across the border. The situation in Afghanistan is rapidly deteriorating and hardly anyone is speaking about it.

As the death toll rises outside Kabul, the Bush Administration grandly leaks to the press that a reduction in troops is expected in Iraq sooner than expected. What they fail to stress is that since our Armed Forces are stretched to the limit, troops in Iraq are being reduced so we can send more to Afghanistan Soon we will be reading in the papers about the Baghdad / Kabul Shuttle as troops, media and money flow back and forth between the two countries depending on which one is having a bad month.

Increasingly it is clear that our situation in Afghanistan could become quite critical and we are nowhere near any sustainable resolution in Iraq. Bush is failing across the board in both situations and it is time to deal with the undeniable facts: Our men and women are dying for very questionable reasons, if injured they are receiving very bad care and when they return they are enjoying precious few benefits.

Enough is enough. Bring the troops home from Iraq now and re-evaluate our policy in Kabul.

Asia: Countries in New Naval Arms Race

For centuries, Asian nations have pointedly avoided competing with the European and American Naval fleets. Far from wanting the great navy ships that are the subject of stories and legends, they looked inward. Their major concern was not to explore the world but to protect their world from the explorers. Even then, they failed because of their lack of navies did not stop the Admiral Perrys of the world from intruding into their isolated kingdoms.

That is all changing now. China, India and others are on the verge of becoming great naval powers. This profound shift could influence American military and foreign policy for years to come. No longer will America be the ruler of the sea.

The Economist, in a special report "Into the Wild Blue Yonder", covers this startling new development. The report states:

"Today a resurgent, confident and globalising China is rebuilding its naval strength. Like India, its rising Asian rival, it already has an impressive army. But both countries are finding that rapid economic growth is providing the money to realise long-cherished dreams of building ocean-going “blue-water” navies that can project power far from their home shores.

In the past two years China's navy has acquired new destroyers, frigates and submarines, some home-built, some (including its most advanced kit) Russian. A recent study by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) concluded that China was also close to beginning the production of aircraft-carriers, which would give it the ability to project airpower over great distances. China has long wanted to create a force capable of thwarting the intervention of America's Pacific fleet in any war over Taiwan. But it is also increasingly keen to protect its supplies of fuel and raw materials from threats such as piracy and terrorism. "

The Chinese are building major bases and forging new naval treaties with Pakistan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Not to be outdone, India is rapidly upgrading its navy to rival that of Britain. They are even in discussions with Vietnam for possible naval bases. The Economist article continues:

"India shares China's concern that, as trade volumes and energy consumption soar, its security is vulnerable to any disruption of sea traffic. The flagships of its new blue-water navy will be three aircraft-carriers—the same number as Britain. The first of two Indian-built carriers is now under construction, with a launch date of 2010. A third, bought second-hand from Russia, is suffering delays and disputes over its refitting. Tim Huxley of the IISS says that with so much attention focused on China and India, the naval expansion of other Asian countries is often overlooked. Yet several, especially South Korea, are also building long-range naval capabilities. Besides new submarines and destroyers, the South Koreans, like the Japanese, are commissioning helicopter-carriers."

Soon the oceans will be filled with warships. Of course, the nations speak of disaster relief as a reason to build navies but it is hard to imagine an aircraft carrier filled with planes with bombs as a key to assuaging the grief of disaster victims. What is most disconcerting is that with a powerful Chinese naval force the equation dramatically changes around the issue of Taiwan.

The world's seaways have become places of new tension. We can only hope the leaders of those nations will be as modern and effective as the weapons they are building.

Reader's Poll: Get Aid To Burma Now

By almost two thirds of the vote, our readers overwhelmingly wanted the United States to get aid to the people of Burma now - even if it means bypassing traditional diplomatic channels, utilizing unauthorized airlifts or landing from the sea into the delta region. With the death toll at over 125,000 and starvation quickly becoming a reality, time is rapidly running out for niceties with the Military Junta. Delay could literally cost ten of thousands more lives as little or no relief flows into the Irrawaddy Delta which was the hardest hit by Cyclone Nargis.

"Save the Children" estimates that very quickly over 30,000 children under five years of age could die from 'acute malnourishment' which is the highest level of hunger. Our readers feel that the time has come to move beyond talk and deliver aid directly to the Delta.

Should the United States Ignore Traditional Channels and Airlift Relief Directly to the People of Burma Despite Objections of the Military Junta?

Yes: 65%
No: 35%

Burma: Time for Dramatic Action

With the sinking of the Red Cross boat, the little news that we receive from Burma just gets worse and worse. At least 50,000 are dead but the toll could approach 100,000. Almost a week since the Cyclone hit the delta country of Burma only about a quarter of the aid is even being delivered, let alone distributed. Some relief organizations estimate that 1.5 million people could die from the initial storm as well as the failure for any serious relief efforts to penetrate those stricken by the disaster.

The Burmese Military Junta is determined to allow perhaps hundreds of thousands of their citizens to die before opening up its borders to international assistance. The number of possible deaths could out number that of Rwanda. First Lady Laura Bush, whom Burma's crisis has become a personal priority, should continue to speak out and utilize her access to find innovative and non-traditional ways to connect the victims with urgently needed resources and aid.

Americans should not wait stand on the sidelines as a helpless giant as these tin horn dictators systematically murder their own people. We should set aside the traditional concerns of borders and diplomatic channels and immediately start an airlift to save the people of Burma. With international cooperation, we should have immediate, massive airlifts of supplies including dropping needed food, water and medical need by air into the delta region. Then we should look for inroads to position regional naval craft into the waters off Burma and helicopter in additional relief. Troops can protect relief workers. All of this should be done under the United Nations flag if possible.

This is dramatic action of an unusual nature. The alternative is to wait another week of inaction by the Military Junta, sits idly by and watch hundreds of thousand more die from disease and starvation. Hoping for a change of heart and sudden enlightenment from these monsters in Burma can only doom more. The people of Burma need our help now.

Burma: Where are the Monks

The world community remains strangely quiet about the missing monks of Burma. It has been nine months since we all were riveted by the bravery of tens of thousands of monks parading in quiet dignity through the streets of Yangon. Their saffron robes adding a ceremonial flourish to their procession, their rice bowls turned upside down in protest, they marched for all the citizens who lived in fear or who already had filled the jails as political prisoners. The news footage and photographs starkly chronicled the monks' seeming lack of fear in facing down the brutal military junta of Burma.

Their non-violence was in direct contradiction to the 500,000 soldiers in the military who had already killed thousands in 1988 seeking freedom. The monks, who are the most revered citizens of Burma, captured the hearts and minds of an entire planet. Every evening the news would be filled with visuals of the brave spirits confronting military might. Now we are lucky to even hear a story about Burma -- and when we do, it invariably turns out to be a flat, "What is happening now?" sort of article.

A third of the monks are missing. Many have been rounded up in the large cities and sent to smaller hamlets in the countryside. After the military stopped the protests, hundreds of the holy men became political prisoners, and many were brutally tortured and, in some cases, killed. Photographs smuggled out of the country show waterways filled with bodies covered in saffron. They became rivers of death.

Families who with great pride had sent sons to become monks, found themselves the victims of retaliation by the military - homes and livelihoods were destroyed. All in the name of a corrupt military junta. The nation became a hellish nightmare for those who dared to think or share their souls for freedom.

The monks all taught us the most valuable lessons about bravery in the face of might, quiet dignity in the face of hell and most importantly they emerged as the most affecting voice of non-violence since Dr. Martin Luther King.

We owe it to them to keep the pressure on for the safe return of those not already dead. To find a way among this community of nations to end the horror of this military junta and bring peace back to the remarkably brave people of a remarkable nation.

We must never stop asking, "Where are the monks?"