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Strategic Communication with the Muslim Community

Aug 31st, 2009
by khanserai.
1 comment

Strategic communication recently made the news because of a column Admiral Mullen, Chairman of the US Joint Chief of Staff wrote for the Joint Forces Quarterly. His basic point was that by making it an organizing item, strategic communication has become a goal in itself, rather than being a process to enable the larger objectives. Lacking credibility and trust, and by having double standards between words and actions, leaves the US in a position where it is not effective. As he states:

The Muslim community is a subtle world we don’t fully—and don’t always attempt to—understand.

In a similar vein, Beth Noveck, the Deputy Chief Technology Officer from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy gave the keynote address at a United States Institute of Peace event “Smart Tools for Smart Power.” She highlighted the Obama administration goal of renewing the US relationship with Muslim communities, and asked the question of how serious gaming or any other technologies can be used for achieving the purpose (and several others).

There seems to be a general and open acknowledgement in the Obama administration that actions speak louder than words, and the US needs new actions (and policy) to engage with Muslim communities. There also seems to be a void that needs to be filled regarding “what should we do about it?”

How can credibility be built without resorting to propaganda and patronizing? How will a culture of respect and dialogue (that includes listening!) be established when the recent harsh memories are those of arrogance and disregard for human life? Abu Ghraib, Haditha and Guantanamo are not just news stories but the reality for many. It will be a long uphill struggle for hearts and minds requiring a commitment that stretches beyond four year presidential terms.

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ObamaCare vs MackayCare

Aug 16th, 2009
by khanserai.
3 comments

Health care reform is on the minds of everyone today (according to Gallup polls it is increasingly considered the most important issue) but there are mixed opinions on it.

Ignoring Sarah Palin’s attention-seeking inflammatory hate-mongering (no version of the bill includes death panels for grandpa or evil directed at Down syndrome babies), there are only a few THOUGHTFUL/informed public naysayers about the plan as a whole. John Mackay, CEO of Whole Foods is one. He recently wrote an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal outlining “The Whole Foods Alternative to ObamaCare.” Two days later President Obama published an op-ed in the New York Times defending his plan.

The response to Mackay’s op-ed has been astounding with several liberal-left-wingers-who-often-frequent-Whole Foods-stores vowing to boycott the company! There are anti-Whole Foods Facebook groups that actually have five time as many members (last count at 11pm, Aug 16 2009 was 10,003) than the pro-Whole Foods Facebook group (last count at 11pm, Aug 16 2009 was 1,944).

Fundamentally, Obama is pushing for maximizing the numbers of people who are insured, reducing costs and promoting a healthier lifestyle to reduce healthcare costs (more info on the ACTUAL reform options on this site). Mackay thinks that costs must be cut, healthcare is not a universal right that must be provided for all & that people should be more responsible about their health, not just their healthcare.  So what exactly is MackayCare vs ObamaCare?

Objective ObamaCare MackayCare
Reduce costs for employers Cut subsidies for insurance companies

Cut out inefficiency & waste in Medicare and Medicaid

 Remove the legal obstacles that slow the creation of high-deductible health insurance plans and health savings accounts
Reduce costs for individuals Channel money towards reducing prescription drug costs

Force insurance companies to cover routine checks and preventative tests

Equalize the tax laws so that that employer-provided health insurance and individually owned health insurance have the same tax benefits

Revise tax forms to make it easier for individuals to make a voluntary, tax-deductible donation to help the millions of people who have no insurance and aren’t covered by Medicare, Medicaid or the State Children’s Health Insurance Program
Promote competition Create a public health alternative. Obama is now backing away from this as and might move towards non-profit co-ops Repeal all state laws which prevent insurance companies from competing across state lines
Reduce costs for insurance companies Repeal government mandates regarding what insurance companies must cover

Enact tort reform to end the ruinous lawsuits that force doctors to pay insurance costs of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year

Create awareness   Make costs transparent so that consumers understand what health-care treatments cost
Prevent Medicare bankruptcy Enact Medicare reform Enact Medicare reform
Maximize numbers of people insured and ensure that people will not be refused or discriminated against Ensure that people can have insurance whether they are employed or not, or have pre-existing conditions This is something that Mackay does not consider to be a right

Both sides have some valid points and a combination of both might be a good idea for America.

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2009 Gloom & Doom Update: France Strikes and Demonstrations

Feb 3rd, 2009
by khanserai.
2 comments

My social unrest post of Jan 27 mentioned that  France, Germany and United Kingdom had avoided demonstrations but my commentary was a tad premature.

It turns out that Jan 29 was a day of mass demonstrations and strikes in France with a 2.5 million turnout in a country of a mere 65 million population (almost 4% of the population was simultaneously out on the streets!). An excerpt from one article states:

Thursday’s day of action throughout France in defence of jobs, the purchasing power of wages and social services, called by the eight major trade union federations, brought an estimated 2.5 million workers and youth onto the streets of some 200 cities and towns. Some small towns reported the largest demonstrations in many years. Workers went on strike in great numbers, as did high school and university students.

Not surprisingly, the French economic stimulus of 26 billion euros ($33.1 billion) was released 3 days later. On the pro side, the stimulus package has been introduced before the country has officially entered a recession; on the con side the size of the package is generally considered insufficient to reverse the general trends. 

Small-scale union supported strikes are also starting in Scotland against hiring of foreign workers.  And most unexpected of all, Obama openly stated that more banks are expected to fail. Such bluntness is not customary for US presidents as they tend to sugarcoat the truth. Or perhaps he is sugarcoating?

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Saudi Patience: USA and Iran

Jan 24th, 2009
by khanserai.
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Prince Turki al-Faisal wrote a strongly worded letter on Thursday to President Obama regarding Gaza/Israel and the impact it can have on the special US-Saudi relationship.

The content can be seen at the Financial Times web-site. One of the things it mentioned was a letter President Ahmedinejad of Iran wrote to King Abdullah,

explicitly recognising Saudi Arabia as the leader of the Arab and Muslim worlds

Clearly something I had missed seeing in the news last week.

This was surprising as both KSA and Iran have been bandying for regional hegemony in the past. An open declaration that unites the Shias and the Sunnis could be a harbinger of more cooperation in the future as well. It can also change the stakes and influence that can be exerted on international politics to seriously and fairly address the conflict.

It turns out that what President Ahmedinejad wrote was slightly different. As per the Irani Press TV what he actually called King Abdullah was his official title/position :

the Saudi Arabian King and the Custodian of the Two Holy Places, i.e Makkah and Medina

Sighhh, my excitement was premature. President Obama, King Abdullah and President Ahmedinejad are no closer to each other today as they were yesterday. But hope springs eternal , after all, tomorrow is another day!

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