Compromise: The Tool of Leaders

Compromise: 

1. a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles, etc., by reciprocal modification of demands.

2. the result of such a settlement. 

I think politicians, from both sides of the aisle, have forgotten this word. Americans do care about partisan issues, but they like it better we things get done. In a 24 hour media cycle, where talking heads, pundits, and everyone judges politicians moves; its been hard for compromise to happen.

However, for America to progress, on the budget, entitlements, and everything else, we have to compromise. Politicians have to see above their agenda's and recognize that the greatest generation of Americans made this country what it is by compromising and making laws that advance and empower America. Compromise is not sacrificing what you stand for, but rather the practical way of advancing interests when working with those whom have opposing views. It is, in fact, being practical and wise.

Compromise is not just for the U.S. congress, it serves for all hot-button issues. The peace process in the Middle East is one of them. A peace agreement will cannot be pro-Israel neither pro-Palestine. each has to give more than it wants in order to achieve sustainable peace. 

True leadership is shown in hard compromises which leads to a greater solution for generations. As I stated before, one does not have to give up for what they stand for in order to achieve solutions. However, one must be flexible and see the long-term opportunities that they can fulfill their goals at a later date.

Many people are just not capable of compromise, as shown. Those individuals of this flexibility, this long-term vision, this leadership, and this practically must now step up and be the ones to solve world and domestic issues. We must not be distracted from vocal but extreme sides.

Compromise is a tough thing, but it is essential to solve the issues of today. We live in interesting times, and we need strong leaders willing to stand up and compromise for the greater good of society.

An interview with Uribe and trouble for Ahmadinejad

If you haven't noticed, I love Foreign Policy magazine (just check the archives). They have great, insightful, and well written articles. This time isn't an exception.

There's two interesting articles up. One is an interview with former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe on his current role and ideas in Colombian political life and long-term goals. The other is an analysis on a recent blunder by Ahmadinejad in Iran.

I really liked the Uribe interview, I thought his answers were spot on, and his ideals are just what Colombia needs in order to develop its democracy. Whenever you can change an entire country's mood from pessimistic to optimistic, you know you've done something right.

War Dogs; how could anything get cooler?

So when our SEALS went in to get Osama Bin Laden, they brought a war dog with them. Foreign Policy did two stories/photo essays on war dogs. War Dogs are amazingly awesome. Maybe its because I love dogs, or I am done with finals, but I thought its something I would share.

Here's the first one (look at the subtitle).

Here's the second one.


Enjoy!

I'm still here

Again, I've been slacking in the maintenance of this blog. Its been a busy few weeks, and I not going to write another post on the death of Osama Bin Laden. Though I can say that I am thrilled for many, many reasons.


Keeped tuned in the next week, though its finals, I should be able to crank a post or two out!

Thank you Ron Paul

Ron Paul and I have very different ideological views. I am a liberal (I am sure you'd never guess) and he's a libertarian. However, he gets it when it comes to Islamophobia. I applaud Paul for his defense of Islam in an interview with Sean Hannity.

My hat is off to you Ron Paul, thank you.

Wow, what a Shameful Senator

Its called hypocrisy at its finest. This GOP Louisiana State Senator traps himself in his own lies. If he thought Obama was a citizen, why didn't he stand up to his constituents?

Its called no backbone.  In these changing times, there should be no room for representatives, our representatives to the government, that buy into blatantly false rumors which have absolutely no founding. It astonishes me how divisive and cowardly some people are.

This is the product of bigotry and coded racism. I think the GOP forgot the economic situation we're in.

Shameful.

Whether your a conservative or liberal, this should disgust you.

Engaging with the Taliban? Unfortunately Nesscesary

I am sure I a lot of people are going to like me by the title of this post (joking). In addition, by no means am I suggesting amnesty for those who committed crimes, or for us to place trust in the Taliban. I am just here to pitch an idea.

So there has been some talk on negotiating with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Now I am usually an optimistic person, but we're never going to win the war in Afghanistan, by the common definition "to win". As long as people oppose the U.S. and a secular state, which there will always be, Afghanistan will be in turmoil. Instead of marginalizing those in the Taliban, I feel as if we should start engaging with them. Some say this is validating their action; its what you make of it. They are real people with real motives, and the only way to solve a conflict for the long term is to acknowledge the other side exists.

Without help and the end of violence from the Taliban or other extremists, Afghanistan will be in constant war. No matter how much we, as a society, disagree with the Taliban, they are unfortunately necessary to restore some sort of stability in Afghanistan. When a group is continuously marginalized, whether for good reason or not, it becomes harder and harder to solve conflicts. Only by engaging the opposition can conflict be solved. It is practical. By bringing some Taliban into a "democratic" system, or by just simply having more moderate elements part take in governance, they may feel more connected to the system.

The War on Terror is a war on idea. Now there are ways to reduce the appeal of the Taliban, and more so extremism, but that is not the topic of this post. However, until we find a strategy that addresses why citizens become radicalized, it is imperative we bring in some elements of the Taliban to be represented in the Afghanistan government. Though it may be against our morals as a society; we are not Afghanistan. If the Taliban has a vested interest in keeping their own country afloat (with "democratic governance") it is in our best interests to pursue this strategy. I am not saying direct negotiations, but using our resources and allies in the region to get communication more open than ever before.

Being pro-active and engaging is more useful than sitting on our hands and getting deeper in this quagmire. Principals are important, but to combine principles and practically is a way to success.