The killing of Muammar Gaddafi by his own countrymen was historic.  For the first time in recent history, America has helped empower a country’s oppressed masses to free themselves from the shackles of ruthless dictator without going in with guns blazing.  And we have done so with the support of the international community.  This is a major departure from the modus operandi of previous Administrations.

President Obama clearly realizes a fundamental truth that seemed to escape previous Administrations: the only way to help people is by empowering them to help themselves.  Then the victory is doubly sweet.  Although much maligned for his failure to jump into battle in Libya, the facts reflect that acting through NATO to empower those fighting for their freedom was the right approach.

As a U.S. Foreign Service Officer, I have seen the failure of programs that try to “solve the problems” of other nations.  What is much more successful is helping those who are already making the effort to create positive change.

Those who criticize President Obama’s multilateral approach should realize that he is also able to act unilaterally when and if the situation requires.  He took an immense risk going into the sovereign nation of Pakistan to take out Osama Bin Ladin without informing the Pakistanis.  Previous efforts to take out America’s Enemy Number 1 failed precisely because we shared information with the corrupt Pakistani administration that was focused on preserving the specter of terrorism in order to keep billions of dollars in aid pouring in.

Let this be a lesson for future Administrations.  Let’s help the poor and the oppressed of the world not by giving handouts or fighting their battles.  Let’s provide them with the tools necessary to achieve their goals.  Only when there is a real commitment to effect change within the affected community will true change occur.

Republished courtesy the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

This lovely little city, Pittsburgh, is under siege.  Every day the media describes yet another crisis.  Eight more schools to close.  Library branches to be shuttered.  A court order to fix the water and sewer system.  Underfunded pension funds. Property and business taxes that are burdensome.  Disappearing bus stops.  Disappearing mail boxes.  And the latest, a mayor who wants to tax our local college students to balance the city’s books.

 Someone has been asleep at the wheel.

 It has been decades now since Pittsburgh’s population was halved.  Any sensible person would surely understand that half the people + the same number of services = disaster?

 For the past decade the question in my head has become louder, more strident.   Where is the leadership who will say it the way it is?  Where is the leadership that will prepare it’s citizens for reality?

 A leader should look like this.  She should prepare her city’s citizens for the strategy that must be thought through – a shrinking city strategy.  She should find ways to consolidate the city’s citizenry, to consolidate services.   She should have the courage to say that upfront.  She should focus on how to grow the city.  And she should share the plan so that her citizens will understand that there will be pain, but there is also hope. She should know that cities are the future and that Pittsburgh will grow again.

 Neither the head of the library system nor the superintendent of the public schools are to blame for the situations they inherited.    Audits, anger and outrage will not change that fact.

Is the Health Care Bill perfect? Certainly not.  But making health care affordable for the millions of uninsured Americans is a step in the right direction. Great going, Olympia!

It’s apparent that Republicans feel this is the only way they can win this election.  What is truly appalling is that this is happening in a country that goes around the world denying aid to nations that we deem “too corrupt” to have free and fair elections….

Voters Across Nation Hit by Dirty Tricks 

http://news.aol.com/elections/article/voters-across-nation-hit-by-dirty-tricks/235328

Obama’s primetime infomercial, aired by three networks last night, was an impressive audiovisual display that highlighted his working class roots. The “Oval Office” backdrop was undoubtedly designed to portray him as “Presidential.” He effectively recapped his vision for America and the policies that Americans can look forward to under an Obama Presidency. Most importantly, it may have comforted some voters unsure of Obama’s motives and ambitions. Obama came across as intelligent, likeable, and characteristically Presidential.

Despite all this, it appeared to me an “over the top” campaign event. Obama has a significant lead in the polls and is almost guaranteed a victory in the upcoming election. The McCain camp’s attacks on his character don’t seem to be working. Obama’s throng of energetic volunteers and his well-tuned campaign team are doing their job well. The several million dollars spent on these ads were unnecessary and could possibly portray him as extravagant at a time when frugality is finally becoming a virtue in America.

Obama had my vote before the infomercial. Less than a week from the elections, most voters know who they are voting for – many have already voted. Did the infomercial sway anyone? Perhaps, but maybe not enough to justify the $3 million expense.

The recent revelation that the Republican National Committee spent $150K in two months to outfit and accessorize Sarah Palin and her family doesn’t surprise me.  Glamour is undoubtedly an element in wooing voters (and perhaps responsible for Palin’s pick as McCain’s running mate), especially to a candidate whose scanty knowledge of the issues closest to the hearts of Americans in the “lower 48” has alienated even staunch Republicans.  I guess the RNC believed that since Palin obviously can’t win voters by her knowledge and intellect, perhaps she could wow them by her glamorous looks. 

Well, I have news for you, RNC, this tactic isn’t working.  In addition to highlighting the great dichotomy between the lifestyle enjoyed by the McCain-Palin team and the average American, it shows the poor judgment of the Republican Party.  At a time when people are losing jobs, worried about their homes, wondering if their kids are going to make it back safely from Iraq, designer attire was not the correct way to impress.