One Man's Opinion

Argentina has scored an important "goal" in the fight against the impunity of military and political leaders that abuse their power.  By striking down the shameful amnesty laws passed to protect them, it has made possible their prosecution and conviction.  No civilized society can countenance the use of the law to subvert its fundamental principles.  The military junta that took power during the seventies and early eighties in Argentina was incredibly cruel and inhumane, killing and "disappearing" thousands of innocent people.  There is no way that something like that can go unpunished. Spain should learn this important lesson from Argentina, and cleanse its soul from the horrors of Franco's regime, once and for all.

It keeps getting worse. Now, we find out that Dell, the computer manufacturer, sold close to 12 million computers fully aware that they were faulty, and did all kinds of things to cover it up, when the computers malfunctioned and clients complained about it.  This has all come out as part of a lawsuit against the company. I find it interesting that, at a time when Americans are so outraged at British Petroleum for the oil spill, an American company is caught red-handed cheating its own people by knowingly selling them damaged goods.  In an economy so dependent on computers for almost everything, this is no minor thing. Nevertheless, I very much doubt that we'll see much of an indignation over this on the part of the American public.

I've always felt that confirmation hearings are a waste of time, and only serve for grandstanding by the Senators. People have their minds made up way before the start of the proceedings, and it's improbable that they change their minds by anything that is said there.  The opposition more or less insults the nominee, and the party in power defends him or her.  The nominees say what's expected of them: a whole lot of platitudes about their respect and regard for the law and the system in general. It's all a show and a sham.

By now, everybody  should be aware that Arizona governor Jan Brewer is a racist.  But, if there was room for doubt, her latest comment on illegal aliens is proof positive: according to her,  most of the illegals are also involved in drug trafficking, mainly as "mules."  Now, there's absolutely no credible data to support her assertion, but she puts it out there to justify her actions and pander to the fear and hate of all Latinos in her neck of the woods. Of course there are cases in which what she says is true, but people in the know call her statement an exaggeration. It's as if we were to conclude that all Arizonans are racist, just because she is.

Keeping score on the economic debacle in the U.S., the bank failure count this year is up to 86 , and there are rumors that 775 other banks are on the brink of disaster.  So, the FDIC has its hands full trying to protect deposits in all these banks.  No doubt, the U.S. is heading for a financial catastrophe that will make the oil spill seem like child's play. Stay tuned.

Oh, come on, now! Almost a year after the fact, unnamed "witnesses" quoted by a writer that uses a pseudonym claim that the American "hikers" detained by Iran for having entered its territory illegally were really in Iraq. The "witnesses" can't be identified because they say that they fear for their lives. How convenient! We're supposed to believe this hearsay. Can you imagine what the U.S would say, if it was the other way around? I wouldn't put it past the families of these "hikers" to pay some Iranian hicks to come up with such a cock and bull story. Also, as I said a while back, why is it that Americans choose to go hiking in faraway places near the border of countries that the U.S. is hostile to? Don't they get some sort of warning from the U.S. State Department, which is always keeping tabs on dangerous situations for American citizens abroad? Unless, of course, they're not really "innocent hikers", but a

What I found fascinating about the McChrystal affair was to hear some of the comments made on American TV, that almost totally disregarded the insults to the President and the Vice President, and concentrated in the supposedly major issue of whether firing the General would be best or worst for the war. Even if someone were to really believe that he was irreplaceable, there's no way that someone who publicly disrespects the Commander-in-Chief and makes fun of the Vice President can stay on the job. We have to remember that this was not a simple disagreement over policy or strategy - which, by the way, should've been discussed in private - but an outrageous display of mockery on the part of top military officers towards the highest elected officials in the land. Even if McChrystal were Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar and Genghis Khan rolled into one, his head had to roll over this stupidity.

Normally, I'm all in favor of using the law, be it through legislation or litigation, to protect the public interest from the excesses of private greed, but suing a fast-food company to stop it from offering toys to entice children into eating at their restaurants is going to far.  Parents have to be responsible for what their children eat, and they have to teach them about healthy eating habits.  There is such a thing as free enterprise, and McDonald's should be able to advertise and market its products freely.  No one is forced to go there.  Avoiding junk food or cutting back on it is always an option.  Millions of people never or rarely go there. The law cannot sanitize the whole wide world.  People have to take responsibility for their actions and educate their children accordingly.

Maybe it's just me, but, isn't there some sort of cosmic payback in those wildfires raging in Arizona?  I find it comforting to think that, somehow, someone or something is keeping score on bad and selfish actions, and then "shit happens." It could all be coincidence, but time and time again, I've seen certain events take place that seem to strike at people and places which have been egregiously unfair or unkind to others, very shortly after they have acted that way. The people of Arizona have been unusually defiant over their actions against illegal immigration, and seem to be determined to keep pushing for more extreme measures on this matter.  Maybe this is a case of "the fire, this time."

Here's a nice, little statistic. The FDIC has taken over a Nevada bank, the 83rd that has failed so far this year. As I said sometime ago, left to its own devices, businesses of all kinds self-destruct, given their insatiable greed. Capitalistic logic compels them to expand beyond their means, seeking ever-increasing profits. Risky investments or, as in the case of banks, irresponsible lending practices take them to the brink of disaster. The Nevada bank failure will cost the FDIC $80 million in deposit protection, in what has been called the "socialism of losses", in contrast with the "privatization of profits."

With the U.S. leading, there's a chorus of international voices that continually decry the lack of freedom and backward social practices in the Arab and Muslim worlds. In that particular world view, Israel stands out in democratic and progressive contrast in the Middle East. Well, not really. Right now, there's a crisis in Israel in the rule of law caused by its own brand of fundamentalists, who defy a Supreme Court ruling which mandates public - school integration regardless of religious persuasion. Certain ultra - Orthodox Jews groups are opposed to having their children attend school with the children of other more liberal Jews, for fear that their kids might be "contaminated" with ideas that they consider objectionable. So far, nothing has been heard from the U.S., which is always calling on the rest of the world to end discrimination and adopt equality in all walks of life.

Is nothing sacred? Time was when the American Red Cross was one of those institutions that seemed to be above and beyond good and evil, more trustworthy than anything you could think of. Not anymore. For the last seven years, the FDA has fined it to the tune of $21 million, mainly for mishandling blood and blood products in significant ways. Now, this is serious stuff, given the fact that the Red Cross is responsible for 43% of the blood supply in the U.S. Another American myth bites the dust.

While the bashing and trashing of BP goes on and on, there are other developments in the domestic corporate greed department that go largely unnoticed. The mortgage fraud business is booming, with an estimated $2.3 billion loot, all over the U.S. Some 500 people have already been arrested for something far worse and more widespread than the oil spill: leaving people homeless with a stroke of the pen. And yet, I don't see the hue and cry over this; nor demonstrations on the street, T-shirts and all. How about some photos of families who have lost their homes, to go along with the oily pelicans ones? In short, while the oil spill is a big, fucking deal - as Joe Biden would've said before he was chastised for it - the mortgage fraud is way worse, and deserves as much media attention and, at least, an Oval Office mention.

I suppose that nothing will be done to the American that has been detained in Pakistan looking to kill Osama bin Laden, not only because he's obviously insane, but mainly because it would be immoral to punish him in any way for trying to do what his country is openly trying to do since 2001. As we all know, the U.S. government and public officials routinely talk openly about killing bin Laden and other people that they deem undesirable, without any compunction. So, it's to be expected that any number of patriotic lunatics feel inspired to go out hunting for those people that have been classified as legitimate targets by the U.S. Time was when these things were discussed behind closed doors, but now, we see the American ruling class on CNN calling for the murder of people that they dislike, and celebrating it when it happens. So, as I said, there's no moral authority to prosecute this guy in any way. I guess he'll be awarded the "Congressional E for Effort."

Now, that I'm becoming a sort of expert in these matters, I would say that Gen. Petraeus has misdiagnosed the condition which led to his choking at the Congressional hearing. More than plain dehydration, it seems that, if he skipped breakfast, his blood sugar was low, in all probability. Or maybe he choked at hearing the litany of all his failures in Afghanistan and Irak. The General not only has misdiagnosed his condition but also the condition of both those conflicts, although I'm more inclined to believe that he has misrepresented them. Like the athlete who fails to perform under the greatest pressure, the General has choked indeed at facing the truth.

The news now that there are fabulous mineral deposits in Afghanistan makes me think about the real reasons for the U.S presence there. If all this is true, when did the Americans find out? It seems that they've been digging all this time, based on data collected some time back. So, while fighting for "democracy and freedom", the U.S has been looking for gold and other precious metals that have been characterized as something out of The Arabian Nights. No wonder the U.S resolve to "stay the course", as Bush used to say, because, make no mistake about it, those deposits may be in Afghan soil, but they will belong to the U.S. Witness the fact that the U.S. Army Commander has been talking about this subject, while losing the war. Obviously, it's because this is his real mission over there: making sure that nobody else gets his hands on these mineral deposits. Aside from making Karzai's already impressive wardrobe more impressive, the average Afghan won

The flash flood at the Arkansas campground shows how vulnerable man is to nature, and how little can be done to prevent such disasters, even in a country as modern and rich as the U.S. is. In the land of "can do" and quick fixes, they don't even have an idea of how may people were there; consequently, they don't know how many are dead or missing. It might take weeks before they know for sure, if ever. I find it interesting that this happens now, when the American people are up in arms on account of the oil spill, demanding that British Petroleum fix a complex problem a mile under the sea, while the U.S. authorities are unable to solve this problem on land. I haven't seen any relatives "demanding" that their loved ones are accounted for or their bodies turned over to them for a proper burial. Instead, everybody understands how difficult the task is and is willing to wait for as long as it takes. Well, there you are.

There's a lot of boastfulness and foolish bravado in these attempts to sail around the world solo, especially by the very young. There's no useful purpose to it, while the risks are enormous. It's just a stupid human trick to put oneself in harm's way just to claim to be the youngest person to achieve it. The race is on, and someone younger is always willing to risk his or her life to gain such a dubious distinction. I think these kid's' families should have to pay a hefty sum, if their son or daughter needs to be rescued. There's a big difference between someone who finds himself in danger legitimately, and a person who takes an irresponsible risk that, more than likely, will have dire consequences. There is such a thing as "assumption of risk" in the law, and foolhardy people should bear the brunt and cost of it.

The British are getting fed up with the BP bashing that passes for commentary in the U.S. over the oil spill. I sensed it right away and said so right here. This has become an exercise in American "ugliness" and the contempt that they feel for the rest of the world. Anytime they face a crisis, they will look to blame foreigners for it. This is not to say that BP is not to blame for this mess, but the U.S. is not entirely blameless in this affair. Where it has shown its true feelings is by harping on the British part of the whole thing. It now seems that all that "stiff upper lip" and proverbial English phlegm won't stand for anymore arrogance from their "American cousins."

Although it's not entirely clear, it now appears that the FBI was involved in some way in giving $25,000 to the would-be Dutch serial killer. Either they tried to entrap him in an extortion scheme or had one of their people act as bag man for the Holloway family. In any case, we won't be seeing this episode in any future FBI TV program. The kicker is that it's entirely possible that this guy used part of that money to travel to South America, including Perú, where he is being held for the murder of the Flores girl. If that turns out to be true, the Holloway family or the FBI or both really stepped on it. They shouldn't have had any dealings with him. Sad to say, their daughter is nowhere to be found, and nothing good was to come of trying to buy information from this man.

It's been reported, by the Pentagon, no less, that the U.S has already spent $26 billion on the Afghan army. And we all know how that is going. The American military at its highest levels is extremely pessimistic about the Afghan army's capability to take over by October 2011, the date set by Obama to bring his troops home. This is what happens when you go to a country, destroy its institutions - such as they were - and then try to rebuild it in your or somebody else's image. The Americans should have foreseen that a country as deeply divided as Afghanistan would be harder to put together again than Humpty Dumpty. But, then again, it is a particularly American conceit to think that every problem can be solved if you throw enough money at it. Will the U.S never learn?

A British study suggests that exposure to second-hand smoke also affects mental health significantly. High concentration of certain substances in cigarettes in the blood and elsewhere in the human body causes distress that alters mood and behavior. I agree 100%. Every time I'm around someone who is smoking, I get this urge to strangle that person, especially if it happens at a restaurant, which it still does in Europe, as I recently found out in Spain. Also, I feel compelled to run away as quickly as possible, even if I haven't paid the check. The idea that God should strike that person dead on the spot also crosses my mind. So, yeah, second - hand smoke affects my mental health...

My grandmother on my mother's side used to say: "Criticize today, and you'd better be dead by tomorrow", meaning that, very often, you wind up doing what you just criticized, or that life will turn the tables on you very quickly. Which is what has happened to the American auto industry in the wake of the troubles that Toyota had recently. After gloating to their heart's content, Detroit's car companies find themselves in hot water. Witness the 600,000 vehicle recall just issued by Chrysler for major problems, including - wouldn't you know it - faulty gas pedals. So, if I were the oil companies in the U.S., I would think long and hard before pointing my finger too harshly at British Petroleum...

Hillary Clinton will visit Perú, Ecuador, Colombia and Barbados in the next four days. Isn't it odd that the Secretary of State won't come to Puerto Rico, a U.S. "Commonwealth" for over 100 years? Any casual observer would expect that the American government would avail itself much more of its territory in the Caribbean to hold meetings such as the one in Barbados. The truth of the matter is that, in these 100 - plus years, visits by Presidents and other top U.S. officials have been few and far between. In some cases, Presidents have waited to be out of office to come to Puerto Rico. The last time Hillary was here was for a fundraiser. So was Obama. I think that the American ruling class is somewhat embarrassed by having a colonial territory, and tries to avoid facing that "inconvenient truth" directly. Not coming here helps them pretend that there's nothing wrong with this arrangement, especially given the fact that they are always lecturing other

Watching CNN 's coverage of the oil spill, with all of its outrage and holier-than-thou pontification brings to my mind the absolute lack of interest of that network and the rest of the American media in the cases of Culebra and Vieques, both environmental disasters and human tragedies. The difference seems to be that these are two very small islands off the coast of Puerto Rico, a small and "unimportant" island in the Caribbean. But, most of all, it's because the environmental problems are the result of decades of U.S. Navy target practice and experiments with toxic substances. And they don't want to embarrass the U.S. government, by revealing its callous disregard for the health, security and well-being of the people of those islands. Especially when it's essential that the myth of American decency is maintained, lest the media appears to be "unpatriotic" in times of war. So, the double standard prevails. You report ad nauseam what a foreign

The latest - certainly, not the last - public ethnic or racial comment in American politics is proof positive that this is something that is uppermost in the country's mind, ready to surface at any moment. A South Carolina legislator has referred to a fellow lawmaker of Indian ancestry as a "raghead", while using the same derogatory term in relation to Obama. If this is how a significant portion of the American public thinks about public officials of certain foreign ancestries, one can only imagine how they truly feel about people in those other countries. As I've said before, this is why Americans find it so easy to bomb all those "ragheads" from manned or, increasingly, unmanned aircraft. First, you dehumanize the "other"; then, you destroy him.

In a recent interview, Hugo Chávez has called Obama "a great disappointment", especially, in world affairs, including very pointedly, in U.S. policy towards Latin America.  Although Obama has talked the talk, he hasn't walked the walk.  Nice speeches aside, there hasn't been any major change in the way that the U.S. deals with its neighbors south of the border, or anywhere else, for that matter.  It's still the same old story of American imperialism through war and imposing its will on other countries, while reserving the right to play by international rules, whenever it suits them. In his frankness, Chávez has spoken for all of us who are subject to the American "arrogance of power."

Contrary to popular disbelief, six months after the tragedy in Haiti, the world has not forgotten that God-forsaken land. The work to reconstruct the country goes on, with such strange bedfellows as Cuba, the U.S. and Venezuela, according to Bill Clinton, who has been more faithful to Haiti than to Hillary. It seems that, this time, Haiti will remain on the international agenda for as long as it takes to put the country together in a reasonably successful way. Maybe Clinton's personal involvement will make the difference as to the U.S. and other major countries are concerned. I'm much more confident that Cuba's and Venezuela's track record on solidarity with other poor nations will prove to be consistent.

The French are having their hands full with the latest craze: drinking parties in public places organized through Facebook and other Internet-based networks. These events draw large crowds, alcohol consumption is high, and a young man has already died, from a fall while drunk. The police are trying to control these street parties by getting them to comply with permits and other elements that would provide some order, but, as is to be expected, part of the "fun" lies in the illegality of the whole thing. I suppose that, pretty soon, we'll be seeing that sort of thing on this side of the Atlantic. People are always willing to copy anything that is outrageous and outside the law. C'est la vie.