Ruins in the Making

Took a break from blogging. Congress is in recess, guess I am too. Other excuses include spending too much time working at the zoo. On a particularly slow and hot day at the dinosaur store (called much to everyone's delight the Dinostoraus) I tried to reconcile the front page news with what I observe during my daily shifts. The zoo is basically a giant day care. Lots of families, lots of strollers, lots of babies, lots of families with babies in strollers who are much too young to remember anything.

Many things annoy me at the zoo, this is no secret, but many things reassure me. Parents are taking care of their kids, trying to show them a good time. Breaking news aside, kids still like toys, parents still buy them for them. Which leads me to my next point; if ever you feel nervous about the consumer economy come on by, I can assure you it is alive and well.

Though life appears to continue as normal along the winding paths between the penguins and polar bears, scratch the surface and you see all is not well. I was saddened to read an article in the Times this weekend describing the progress of schools experimenting with four day weeks in order to cut costs. The article concluded that cutting hours is not ideal but hopefully it wouldn't be too detrimental to students' education. Wow, is that the best we can do? Hopefully our new reforms won't hurt one of the most vital natural resources we have. The schools are doing the best they can, but government is failing them, society is failing them.

Most people I talk to these days believe that the public school system is broken beyond repair, and that privatization is the key to the way forward. Fine. I am open to that. I am open to a lot of private solutions to public problems. But as usual I ask, where are the proposals? Where is the call to action? Where is the outrage at the crumbling pillars of society? Must we wait for collapse before we begin to rebuild?

Politicians left and right claim to love America. Everyone claims patriotism. But for all that touted love, society is working against itself. Hate of the other is rampant. Hate of those on welfare. Hate of those on private jets. Hate of public institutions. Hate of private corporations. Seems everyone is playing a zero sum game. But please, can't you see that allocating resources -private or otherwise- to the basics of society is not subtracting from any column but multiplying our potential ten fold?

Spend billions on defense, ignore the middle class, go on vacation, but let our schools crumble and one day you'll find society in ruins.

On the Brink

I finally decided to delve into the Mad Men series. It's a quality show, quite nuanced and masterful in how it ties current events of the time into the characters' daily lives. Last night's episode featured the Cuban Missile Crisis. In the background in people's homes and offices were news clips and footage of JFK explaining the situation as it developed. The phrase "on the brink of nuclear war" came up often. I noticed this because that was the second time brinkmanship came up yesterday. The first was in an article about the debt ceiling debate.

Back then it was us vs. them. We had a foreign enemy, and worse we could destroy each other. Now our latest use of the word brinkmanship is reserved for our own internal affairs. Our credit rating and financial health was threatened not by some far away country but by our own compatriots. What happens when the largest threat to our country's well being is internal? Embarrassing as it is, we no longer need the Soviet Union, we apparently can push each other to the brink.

This period in history will be remembered for the Arab Spring, but more broadly it seems now is the time we see people demand improvement in internal politics. England, Spain, Greece, the Arab world, and now even Israel continue to witness mass protests about issues inside their borders, issues that can only be resolved between a government and its people.

I am not suggesting that America take to the streets, but surely it is time we too focus on our own internal threats. As Jon Stewart said in a rant about the Tea Party, "government isn't perfect, but some people want it to be better, not gone." As our ideologies become more steadfast and the stakes rise ever higher, let's remember that no matter what other security threats we face around the world, we can be our own worst enemy.

Two Wrongs

I enjoyed the Cairo streets at night. On Mondays after volunteering at a local NGO, my friend Theo and I would wind through the neighborhood on our way home. We discussed many things during these walks, one time we even stopped for tea with a local gate keeper. Another night we spent our walk back discussing Iran's nuclear program. Modesty shrugged for a moment, I believe our conversation accurately represented the debate on this issue. I argued that while there remains some uncertainty, it is reasonable to assume that Iran is developing nuclear weapons - and not nuclear fuel as they claim - while Theo argued, even if they were, who are we to tell them to cease and desist?

Which brings me to a conversation I had last night. I was debating government funded student aid with Dale. I argued that this was an important resource for students who otherwise wouldn't have the means to attend school. Dale argued that if it were not for the availability of these loans, college tuition would be lower in the first place.

Both situations are examples of short term solutions to long term problems (debt ceiling anyone?). I agree, denying Iran its right to build nuclear weapons while we caress thousands of our own is absurd. Yet consider this; it is too late for those with nuclear weapons not to develop them, that ship has sailed. The process for disarmament is slow and delicate, but it has begun and will hopefully continue as the decades advance. However, those who have not yet built their weapons can be stopped before it's too late. This does not have to be an issue of arrogance. Arresting the development of another nuclear weapon, no matter the creator, combats a global threat.

Iran, if you're listening, I can understand your frustration but what I do not like is exercising a dangerous right just because you can. Take a page from South Africa's book and say, yes we could choose to build nuclear weapons but instead we will abdicate our right and choose not continue down this dangerous path. Just because you have the right to own a gun, doesn't mean you should. Certainly the argument that someone else has one so you should have one too shouldn't make it past the kindergarten doors.

In terms of college loans, if the government is responsible for creating a system in which tuition rises artificially, then students need aid more than ever. Sure, I would like to see higher education prices come down significantly, but until then let's not abandon those living in the reality of the current system. More and more we will see our short term solutions be incongruous with our long term goals. This is okay as long as we work to ensure long term strategy. We can hold the flood gates shut with one hand, but let's make sure we are turning off the faucet with the other.

Money Talks

I know a thing or two about living outside my means, and it seems that others do as well. Greece, Great Britain, even Egypt are all dealing with balancing spending on public welfare systems and depleting bank accounts (i.e.rising deficits). Open up Newsweek, you'll find an interesting op-ed that argues "indignants" who protest against government action to correct spending deficits are misguided, hard work and sacrifices for the future must be made now at the expense of the present. Tragic but true the article argues. New York Times' Week in Review has a spread on the death of the consumer economy. And of course my favorite, the ever-popular more-college-graduates-are-living-with-their-parents article. Democrats want to write bounced checks, Republicans want to throw the check book out the window. No matter your spot on the party line, it is clear that our government's split economic perspective is unsustainable.

I normally shy away from numbers, despite my father insisting that "numbers are your friends." I am attracted to this crisis of economics however because at the root is the most definitive debate of American politics: the role of government. Every debate (occasionally heated) I have had with someone to the left or right of me on the political spectrum has derived from disagreement over definitions of government responsibilities. My conservative friends maintain that a government's main if not sole priority is defense. The rest is up to the free market. I on the other hand, believe that providing fundamental services such as access to health care and education is a central role of government.

There is vast disagreement on what government should do, so it is not surprising that there is vast disagreement on how to pay for what it does. If we can't agree on what to buy, how can we agree on which credit card to use? Okay second question: even if we did agree on what the government should provide, what happens when we realize the government can no longer afford to provide these services? If you ask me (and sadly no one is), we need to get very clear on what the country really needs, politics aside. People need jobs, they need insurance (or free market health care prices), they need nutritional food, and access to education. Now if the government is no longer able to provide these, due to finances or efficacy or both, then the private sector needs to close the gaps.

What is lacking is intention. Public schools are quite literally falling apart. But where is the free market alternative? More and more you see places like ZoomCare popping up, providing an affordable alternative to those seeking medical attention without health insurance. I recently wrote a paper discussing an end to poverty. I pride myself in the catchy slogan, but I believe it's true; need must meet business and more than ever business must meet need.

I haven't lost faith in government, I believe it can be a champion for its people, protecting freedom while at the same time providing a safety net of humanity. But I will admit I'm tired of reading about the wells of resources drying out with no rain in sight. Let's get our priorities straight and when we do let's make sure our purchases are investments in the future and not stop-gaps for the past. Just as I accumulate more debt with the hope of a greater payout on the other side, let's make sure our spending pays off in the end.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde fundraise

Yes, there has been a bit of radio silence on my part this past week, but fear not I have been contemplating. I've been thinking a lot about Israel, and the reactions that word evokes. I am in the middle of a fund raising campaign you see. Asking for money is tricky, but even more so when that money benefits a country steeped in controversy. For the most part, the American adults I know are strongly supportive of my ventures and are fans of Israel. Some of my younger compatriots however, view the country with disdain and have even claimed they would rather try to get into Libya than cross borders controlled by the IDF.

I see both sides. On the one hand, Israel is seen as a violent occupier, defying international law, snubbing Washington, and perpetuating humanitarian crises. On the other, Israel is a vibrant, democratic state full of culture and knowledge, just trying to defend itself enough to survive. I am going to keep my true opinions on the country quiet for the moment. Regardless, it has been an interesting process navigating my way into a brewing storm because politics aside, this country will (hopefully) provide me with a Master's degree.

I set out on an e-venture (ha an online adventure) yesterday, looking for varying opinions among Israelis and American Jews about current affairs in Israel. I found them. There is a lot of dissent among the people as to how the government is running both domestic and international politics, but there was one constant: all of the articles were written from the perspective of a strong Jewish identity. As Jews how should we react to the Arab Spring, should we let the government influence food prices, where is the balance between religious and civil law? This strong sense of identity has strengthened the Jewish people and have helped them survive. At the same time, it has led I fear to an equally strong sense of Us vs. Them. After a certain point this can only lead to losing sight of the humanity in the Other. This benefits no one and is tragic to watch.

Luckily, the proceeds raised from my fundraising campaign will go to planting trees in Israel. So even if the land is disputed I think both sides can agree that they want trees there. And hopefully both sides will want me there too.

If you are interested in donating you may do so with my gratitude here: http://support.jnf.org/site/TR?px=3103052&pg=personal&fr_id=1010

Nation Interrupted

I enjoyed going to the movies in Cairo for one reason in particular: cheap popcorn. Popcorn is one of my favorite foods and getting a whole bag for less than $2 is awesome. Sometimes I would go to see a movie I didn't particularly care about (The Town anyone?) just to sit there and enjoy my cheap and salty popcorn. It gets better. Egyptian theaters include an old fashioned intermission half way through a film. Which means, I think you know, more popcorn for me. Instead of having to make my popcorn supply last through the entire film, Egypt's genius tradition allowed the audience and me to pause and stock up on supplies so that we might properly enjoy the second act.

Just as it is mid way through a C+ film, it seems the nation is begging for a proverbial pause, one in which we can redefine our identity and our goals for what is to come. No one recognizes an identity crisis better than I. I've alluded to this feeling before, but for some reason here in the beginning of my career I find myself thinking most often about the end. What will I have contributed with my lifetime? What legacy do I want to leave? In the same way twenty-somethings are reevaluating their purpose, so too I detect the nation searching once again to define its identity. Those questions that have been camping on the tips of our tongues have left our lips and arrived in our national conversations. Recently friends and I have been discussing war in our time, American exceptionalism, and a potential shift in global power. Even last night's episode of the Daily Show had Jon Stewart and his guest Bill Kristol grasping at some fundamental questions about our foreign policy and our role in the world more broadly.

Via facebook messages, a friend and I discussed the realities of today's American wars. Essentially, if you or your family do not serve in the military, you remain largely unaffected by the large scale wars America fights abroad. This is both dangerous and unfair. I am not advocating for the draft. I would much rather see large scale, armed conflict remain off the table for the coming decades unless deemed absolutely necessary by many countries. There is also debate over how effective wars are in fighting terrorism and in nation building. Certainly the military should not be asked to be both a fighting force and a development enterprise. If I can be so bold as to judge the national mood, I would say that after a grueling ten years since September 11, we might look at some of our foreign policy decisions and say, let's not do that again.

Terrorism is by no means vanquished. Just today the New York Times warns us to keep our eye on Somalia, the host of a growing Al Qaeda presence. Arguably however, the focus has shifted from countering threats, to encouraging mass political movements - potentially one of the greatest counterterrorism efforts the government could undertake. Lately, I've heard many claim that it is time for America to step back and take a more isolationist stance. We can no longer afford to be involved in affairs abroad as we are now, and in the end it is not our place. Alternatively, I've heard many argue that America needs to maintain its superpower status and grasp firmly to its leadership reigns.

I'll tell you my opinion. For reasons deserved and undeserved, America has the resources to do good in the world. These resources should be put to good use. We do need to be honest with ourselves, there is suffering at home. We cannot justify billion dollar tabs in other countries, especially when we may or may not be buying a more secure future for the citizens there. At the same time, we cannot sink into a cocoon of isolationism. That is counterproductive to our security, but it would also rob us of the opportunity to do some good in the world. The key is to make sure our policies are smart, sustainable, and promote security at home and prosperity abroad.

Easier said than done. To start, I would encourage the President to address this identity crisis. It is healthy and entirely appropriate that we take stock of our role in the world. The nation would benefit from an updated definition of American foreign policy. Where can we add more resources? Where will we be cutting back (defense spending)? What is our counterterrorism strategy going forward? What is our role in NATO, given Secretary Gates's remarks, and how will we be cooperating with allies to combat common threats?

A decade after September 11 and two wars later, it is time we pause to redefine our strategy and of course get some more popcorn.

20/20 Hindsight

I can blog today because my shift was canceled due to slow foot traffic caused by clouds. In Portland a cancellation due to clouds is a lot like a cancellation in Cairo due to sand. That also happened to me. A word to the wise: cloudy and cool is the best zoo weather. Why everyone waits for the hottest day of the week to flock to see animals asleep because it's too hot is beyond me.

Anyways, I'm reading a book I like. This is exciting because I don't like all books. If you don't have me in the first ten pages, you don't have me. Luckily, In the Garden of Beasts is keeping my attention nicely. Author Erik Larson tells the story of the American Ambassador to Germany during Hitler's rise. Through narration, quotes, and excerpts of letters I am learning how it was possible for Hitler to consolidate power, virtually unchecked. The U.S. could have taken several steps to oppose the suspicious developments in Germany, but for various diplomatic reasons, history unfolded as it did. The most interesting part of reading this book is knowing the ending without knowing the rest.

This has prompted some reflection about the ability to predict events. I recapped some of my Egypt stories over the weekend. One thing I tend to repeat is how surprised we all were. I remember the first days of protests, everyone thought it would die out. Ironically, given the corruption and tyranny of many Middle Eastern/North African governments it's shocking people did not revolt sooner. Okay, we couldn't predict the Arab Spring, but if we had, would U.S. policies have behaved differently? Would we have supported, politically and financially, the dictators that brutally opposed their own citizens? If we had clues would we heed them? Or would we miss, or worse, ignore the signs?

In the Garden of Beasts is convincing me that there are some things we cannot predict, they rise slowly and gradually grow out of our control. But there are the threats we can predict now, and if we can see them coming down the line, it is time to start preparing. For example, a recent Al Jazeera article reminds us that come 2030 half of the world will experience water scarcity. Conflict over "blue gold" is inevitable and has already begun. Consolidated power of some countries or groups over others will lead to unfair water advantages. Yes, climate change is exacerbating the issue immensely. A change in weather patterns leads to disrupted agriculture, increased migration and excess strain on already limited resources. Are we working to combat this, or are we waiting until conflict erupts?

Were I allowed to speak frankly to zoo guests, I would ask them to pause and plan according to the information at hand: the sun is hot, your kids are tired in the afternoon, the zoo is less enjoyable when crowded. So too I beseech those shaping security policy in this country to plan ahead, and by ahead I don't mean election cycles, I mean generations.