SMART

A Sensible, Multi-lateral, American Response to Terrorism

Strengthen International Institutions and Support the Rule of Law to Prevent Acts of Terrorism and Future Wars
a. Increase support for multilateral diplomacy and international institutions like the United Nations; work collectively to eliminate terrorist networks and resolve international conflicts.
b. Increase funding for humanitarian programs, which address the root causes of instability and terrorism, like hunger, illiteracy and unemployment.
c. Reject unilateral preemptive war as a means of resolving international conflict; actively support institutions that can bring terrorists to justice, like the International Criminal Court.

2. Reduce the Threat and Stopping the Spread of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction
a. Demonstrate global leadership by renouncing the first use of nuclear weapons, the development of new nuclear weapons (“mini-nukes”), and the testing of nuclear weapons.
b. Honor our international commitment to work for the elimination of nuclear weapons, while increasing funding to secure “loose” Russian nuclear weapons and materials so they don’t fall into the hands of terrorists.
c. Strengthen US commitment to international treaties like the Biological Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention.

3. Change Budget Priorities to Reflect SMART Security Needs
a. Eliminate military spending on obsolete and unnecessary weapons systems and use those resources to strengthen local “emergency responders” (such as fire, police, and public health departments), as well as for meeting urgent domestic needs like health care, education, jobs, etc.
b. Provide adequate peacekeeping and re-development funding in troubled nations like Afghanistan and Iraq to secure long-term peace and stability.
c. Provide new investments in renewable and safe energy alternatives, which will reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil and the growing threat of global warming.

Endorse the “SMART Security Platform for the 21st Century”A New Vision of National Security:

Escalating violence in Iraq and increasing terrorist attacks around the world underscore the failures of current U.S. security policy.
The administration’s reliance on unilateral military force as the primary instrument to address terrorism only serves to escalate violence. It is already clear that innocent civilians are bearing the brunt of the unending “war on terror.”

A smarter approach: A smarter approach to building national and global security–one based on international law, nonproliferation, human rights, and sustainable development is needed now.

If War is Not the Answer, what is?

Rep. Lynn Woolsey (CA) provided part of the answer to this question when she reintroduced the Sensible, Multilateral American Response to Terrorism (SMART) security platform (H.Con. Res. 158) in mid-May. The SMART Security resolution already has 49 cosponsors, but FCNL believes we should be able to more than double the number of cosponsors before the end of this year (Last Congress the same resolution had 50 cosponsors at the end of the session).

Urge your representative to cosponsor the SMART Security resolution, or express your thanks if he or she has already signed on as a cosponsor, by following this link: http://capwiz.com/fconl/issues/alert/?alertid=7654136&type=CO

The SMART Security Platform:
prevents future acts of terrorism by strengthening international institutions and respect for the rule of law;
reduces the threat and stops the spread of weapons of mass destruction and reduces the proliferation of conventional weapons;
addresses root causes of terrorism and violent conflict;
shifts U.S. budget priorities to more effectively meet the security needs of the United States; and pursues to the fullest extent alternatives to war.

CHIC

The Coalition for Healthy Idaho Communities
(CHIC) is a group of Magic Valley residents that have organized to oppose the development of Idaho’s first coal-fired power plant, and to promote electrical power choices that minimize impacts to the health of our residents, the health of our communities, the health of our environment, and the health of our economy. CHIC is made up of life-long residents of the area, housewives, farmers, retirees, public employees, and business people from the Twin Falls, Jerome, Bliss, Gooding, Hagerman areas and beyond. We have no hidden agenda, no financial benefactors, and no allegiance to any political organization or party. Our common interest is only to protect and preserve the health of our residents and our communities from the threats posed by a coal-fired power plant in the area.

The Coalition for Healthy Idaho Communities
Contact Us

Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama to visit Sun ValleySeptember stay here will kick off U.S. tourBy DANA DUGANThe Dalai Lama is scheduled to visit the Wood River Valley in September, announced Kiril Sokoloff, a Ketchum resident and prominent investment researcher.A personal friend of the Dalai Lama, Sokoloff said Monday that His Holiness would bring his message of compassion to Sun Valley during the anniversary of 9/11. Sokoloff said the formal invitation was offered by Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne and was accepted by His Holiness.In the letter Kempthorne expressed a desire for Idaho children to be able to meet with His Holiness, and he agreed to hold a special session with children during his visit, Sokoloff said. The dates of the Dalai Lama's visit here will be Sept. 10 through Sept. 15. The visit will mark the beginning of a tour in the United States.Sokoloff said he intends to invite corporate CEOs to an audience with His Holiness in an effort to "restore trust in large corporations." The Dalai Lama also will address a general audience, conduct private audiences and hold a press conference.During his stay, the Dalai Lama will bless a prayer wheel that will stay in Sun Valley, Sokoloff said. Tibetan prayer wheels, or Mani wheels, are devices for spreading spiritual blessings and well-being.Sokoloff is the president of 13D Research, an investment research group, based in Boca Raton, Fla., and Ketchum.In 2001, Sokoloff hosted the Dalai Lama's sister Jetsun Pema, the director of the Tibetan Childrens' Villages in India, during a visit to the valley.His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, is the spiritual and temporal leader of the 6 million Tibetan people. Born Lhamo Dhondup on July 6, 1935, to a peasant family, His Holiness was recognized at the age of two as the reincarnation of his predecessor the 13th Dalai Lama. His Holiness is an incarnation of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion.Because of the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1949, there are more than 120,000 Tibetan refugees in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and in the West. Since 1960, His Holiness has resided inDharmasala, India, which serves as the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile.

Cool, calm, collected, thoughtful and intelligent -- none of these words will ever be used to describe John Bolton. Take a gander at this video, then ask yourself how anyone could doubt his qualifications to be ambassador to the United Nations.

Jesus was a Liberal

Why is Jesus a Liberal?
Webster's dictionary defines a Liberal as one who is open minded, not strict in the observance of orthodox, traditional or established forms or ways. Jesus was a pluralist Liberal who taught that one need not conform to strict and orthodox views of God, religion, and life. He rejected greed, violence, the glorification of power, the amassing of wealth without social balance, and the personal judging of others, their lifestyles and beliefs.

Over and over again, He taught us to believe in and live a spiritual and ethical life based in our essential, inherent goodness. What Jesus promoted was succinct set of spiritual principals and a way of life based upon the of love, compassion, tolerance, and a strong belief in the importance in giving and of generosity to those in need.

While not Biblical scholars, our common sense understanding of His lessons as philosophically and politically Liberal is founded upon Jesus' own words (see quotes below), modern interpretations of Liberation Theology, and in the positive, loving and compassionate application of His teachings - from the many early Saints to Mother Theresa and Liberation Theology.

Certainly, Jesus brought a radically Liberal theology to the Orthodox believers of his time. Jesus IS a Liberal even today because now more than ever, His principals align with the very core of Liberal Beliefs.

Biblical Quotes Supporting the Belief that Jesus Is A Liberal

Peacemaking, not War Making: Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. [Matthew 5:9] Resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. [Matthew 5:39] I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despite-fully use you, and persecute you; [Matthew 5:44]

The Death Penalty: Thou shalt not kill [Matthew 5:21]

Crime and Punishment: If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to cast a stone at her. [John 8:7] Do not judge, lest you too be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. [Matthew 7:1 & 2.]

Justice: Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. [Matthew 5:6] Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy [Matthew 5:7] But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. [Matthew 6:15]

Corporate Greed and the Religion of Wealth: In the temple courts [Jesus] found men selling cattle, sheep and doves and other sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. [John 2:14 & 15.] Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. [Luke 12.15.] Truly, I say unto you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. [Matthew 19:23] You cannot serve both God and Money. [Matthew 6:24.]

Paying Taxes & Separation of Church & State: Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. [Matthew 22:21] Community: Love your neighbor as yourself. .[Matthew 22:39] So in everything, do to others as you would have them do to you.[Matthew 7:12.] If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. [Matthew 19:21]

Equality & Social Programs: But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. [Luke 14:13 &14.]

Public Prayer & Displays of Faith: And when thou pray, thou shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou pray, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret… [Matthew 6:6 & 7]

Strict Enforcement of Religious Laws: If any of you has a son or a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? [Matthew 12:11] The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. [Mark 2:27.]

Individuality & Personal Spiritual Experience: Ye are the light of the world. [Matthew 5:14]

Dear Friends,
It is mid-April as I write this letter to all of you from the beautiful port city of Montevideo, Uruguay, in the midst of a whirlwind tour of the national strategic colleges of Latin America. Last week I was in Ecuador, just in time to witness a constitutional crisis between all three branches of government. From Uruguay I will continue on to Argentina, Peru, and El Salvador. Then,after two whole days at home, my wife and I will head off for ten days in Provence, France, to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. My deepest gratitude to Jack Powelson for contributing two excellentTQE's in my absence. - Loren

MILITARY FUTURES
My consulting work brings me into frequent contact with people in the political elite of Latin America, about a third of whom have careers in the armed forces. In this essay, I would like to try to synthesize for you a perspective on the peculiar state of Latin American military institutions today, and the directions in which they may evolve in the future. A portrait of Latin American military institutions There is no "typical" or "average" Latin American military, but it is quite clear that none of them resemble the US military. Let me try to paint a picture.First and foremost, these are not war-fighting forces, with the possible exception of Chile and Brazil. Warplanes and helicopters are generally inoperable for lack of spare parts and maintenance. Radars hardly exist. Warships sit in harbor, elderly, unreliable, and lacking fuel. Armies are small and ill-equipped, with vintage trucks,non functional armor, obsolete artillery. I have seen soldiers training in sandals, because the army could not afford shoe leather. In several countries the military is a part-time occupation: everyone, from top to bottom, leaves at noon to go off to his or her second job. This surprising state of affairs is not limited to Latin America, in fact it is becoming the norm for many countries of the world. Since the end of the Cold War armed forces have been hollowed out, cut back,starved for funds, and redirected towards other missions and roles. The great exception to this trend, of course, has been the armed forces of the United States. Minor exceptions include China, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, and a few others. At the same time, demands on the United Nations for peacekeeping forces have steadily increased. Bangladesh is notable for managing to recoup a large fraction of its military budget through payments by the UN for its participation in peacekeeping operations. Why do militaries persist in Latin America? In the face of these trends, why do Latin American countries retain their armed forces? It isn't merely tradition, though tradition isalways important, and it isn't merely inertia. There are other forcesat work. To an extraordinary extent, Latin American states are "ownedand operated" by their political elites. They provide the top political leadership of almost every party, and their sons anddaughters staff the extensive governmental bureaucracies. For those not born to wealth and power, one of the very few reliable avenues for advancement into the political elite is through a career as an officerin the armed forces.Over and above their employment and upward mobility functions, the armed forces of many Latin American countries have frequently been called upon to protect the property rights and privileges of the political elites. This mirrors in many ways the role of the American military in preserving slavery in southern states before the CivilWar. When land reform efforts fail in Latin America, as they have all too often, the end result tends to be a decades-long civil war that its radicalized peasants against the military. For a sobering history of the Latin American land-reform disasters, I recommend JackPowelson's book The Peasant Betrayed. Can a military be abolished? The functions listed above are sufficient to make abolishing themilitary politically difficult if not impossible in most LatinAmerican countries, despite the financial and economic advantages ofsuch a move. As yet only two countries have no military: Costa Rica and Panama. However, it is important to realize that in both of these countries the police and coast guard have taken on additional rolesand functions to replace the missing military. For example, they have specialized national police units that can respond with greater force than one typically associates with a purely police function. I believe it can fairly be said that these countries have abolished their militaries in name but not in function.The history of failed states -- Somalia and Afghanistan are two recent examples -- strongly suggests that when the power and integrity of a national government decline too far, then local "strongmen" step intothe power vacuum. These may be clan or tribal or religious leaders, organized crime bosses, or former military or militia leaders (warlords). Whatever their origin, the one thing they have in common is an armed militia that they do not hesitate to use to maintain or increase their power. In short, actually abolishing a military is much more difficult than might appear at first. Similar arguments apply to intelligence services. When they are formally abolished, their functions eventually reappear within a national police agency, often giving this agency too much power for the political stability of the nation. What does the future hold? If most Latin American countries are unlikely to abolish their militaries, then what? In many ways, this is the more interesting question.For most of the smaller and poorer countries, I think we can expect to see the demise of essentially all naval and air forces, for the simple reason that they are extremely expensive. Indeed, this process is sofar advanced that it is already the de facto case. I expect that the ground forces of these countries will eventually drop down to a sustainable size that will permit specialized units to earn hard currency by serving as peacekeepers with the United Nations and other regional groupings of nations, while small professional units will provide the bare minimum necessary to deter the emergence of local warlords.For the larger countries, I wonder. Perhaps in the next quarter century we will see the emergence of a continental-scale regionalsecurity force, modeled loosely on the NATO alliance ("an attack on one is an attack on all"). This multinational force could provide naval and air coverage for the entire continent, at considerably less cost than would be incurred if each country were to attempt to maintain a full military.Ultimately, I believe, the disappearance of military organizations depends on the institutional strength of every country in the region. When every country has in place robust democratic institutionsof government, self-correcting and self-healing, with a full roster of checks and balances between all centers of power, then and only then will military organizations broadly decline to vestigial status. Without strong and healthy democratic institutions throughout the entire region, Latin American political elites will have every incentive to maintain their armed forces.On the other hand, the nightmare scenario for Latin America continues to be a return to the era of military dictatorships and police states.Fortunately, the powerful forces of modern economic development seem to be working against this scenario. Globalization, liberalized trade,increased speed of communications and transportation, the emergence of international institutions of justice: all of these work strongly against totalitarian governments of all forms. On balance, I believe that Latin American armed forces are evolving towards smaller, professional forces, with eventual integration into regional and international systems for border, coastal, and air space security. For all of us who vividly remember the bad old days of strutting caudillos and brutal secret police, this will be a welcome change.

Sincerely your friend,Loren Cobb