"Maybe we could find some peace along the way by taking a kind of "systems approach" to our problem, the problem of being human, which unfortunately also means being an animal, sometimes a vicious predator. It means that alleviating a lot of human suffering might not be achievable because of our animal traits, but that we must try anyway, even absent any guarantees of success. We could recognize that all the disagreements are part of a process. We could humbly acknowledge that there is no one right answer to the questions: How are we to be? How are we to act?

Here are some wonderful thoughts of a dying man that we all should consider.

Letter to Obama from a Dying Man (see sig)

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/07/03

I sent him an email and others might want to do the same. Here were my words.

It is people like you who keep me alive with the hope when I am just approaching 69 years on our planet that we can find a way to respect each other and work together to save our world. As a sometimes too pragmatic politician, Obama does need to find the courage to take a stand on our economy and health care. He talks a good game, but at some point soon he has to inspire us to the higher calling of sacrificing for others as I am sure you have done throughout your life. Thank you so much for taking the time before your departure, to inspire us to a higher calling. I will keep your words in my mind as I strive to build a better world for my three grandsons and all those will walk with them into the future.

Details emerge on woman accused of al-Qaida ties

By LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press Writer (see sig)

Jul 4th, 2009 | NEW YORK -- Newly filed court records reveal evidence regarding the life of a U.S.-trained scientist accused of being an al-Qaida operative.

The documents, filed in the past few days in federal court in Manhattan, contain the analysis of psychologists who have treated Aafia Siddiqui (AH'-fee-ah Sih-DEE'-key) since her arrest last summer. One psychologist disputes claims that she was held captive overseas from 2003 to 2008.

The psychologist says Siddiqui told the FBI she was working in Pakistan in 2005 and went to Afghanistan in 2007 to look for her ex-husband.

She is charged with shooting at U.S. soldiers and FBI agents after her capture last year in Afghanistan.

http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/us/2009/07/04/D997SA880_us_al_qaida_suspect_shooting/index.html

"Some people, like Calamine, almost seem to be crying out for help, to be educated--or, at least allow you the opportunity to engage them honestly."

I certainly agree with engaging a commenter honestly if they show any desire to learn from the conversation. For the life of me, I don't understand how could you attribute such a desire to Calamine. From the comments made today, especially regarding ondelette's ancestry, I see any discussion with Calamine as a total waste of time and I wish disgusting commenters like Calamine were just ignored. They deserve no attention.

“What are the qualifications for that job? Does she actually write anything anymore? When was the last time you read an article by Helen Thomas?

For 57 years, Helen Thomas reported for United Press International and in her later years she was its Washington Bureau Chief. Only in more recent months has she written a clearly-labeled opinion column for the Hearst newspapers. She writes her column every week.

She is far more qualified and asks far more intelligent, penetrating questions than her WH colleagues. Her intelligence is as sharp as ever. It is not her fault that Gibbs and Obama are afraid to call on her and she has to interrupt to be heard. You are sadly misinformed and have made some very poor guesses instead of doing any research. I'm surprised. That is not your normal mode of operations.

ABC News Reporter (Lara Setrakian) Tweets That Iranian Detainees Are Being Waterboarded (see sig)

Tehrani source close to those detained says some have been beaten heavily and waterboarded with hot water #iranelection

In my younger years, I would simply expect this news to be greeted with universal outrage, knowing that the techniques being described had long been deemed to be well across the Bridge Too Far. Now that I've lived through the Bush administration, however, I am forced to contemplate the possibility that Iran is merely taking legitimate steps to obtain critical information in their nations' vital national security interests. One mustn't preclude the possibility that many of those being waterboarded are privy to information about "time bombs" that may, at this moment, be "ticking."

The whole matter could be investigated, I suppose, but I'm also forced to consider that once Iran is through this rough patch, it would be better if everyone involved just looked forward, not backward.

Anyway, I guess everyone's really playing follow-the-leader on this nation's innovations in the area of what our press calls "enhanced interrogation techniques." Pop champagne.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/02/abc-news-reporter-tweets_n_225237.html