Bangladesh?

I have been wondering what is going on in Bangladesh. Last news report I have seen occurred January 12 when the opposition leader was detained. I know a blogger in the country. She hasn't posted since the 11th. Nothing in the news. There must be a journalist out there dying to get published...

Ethics

While listening to the Congressional ethics bill proposals I was reading a book. One of the characters asked, "Why do we spend so much time discussing ethics." The other responded, "Without struggling with ethics what is life for?"

What is life for?

One answer I saw on television. Life is for obtaining temporal things. Buy this, buy that.

Another answer; life is for pleasure, joy, happiness. Tell that to those involved in war.

I need to find a good journal or book to redevelop my understanding of ethical behavior and how people across the world define them and their lives.

Mid-Eastern Furies

So I have been looking to the middle east and listening to both congressional houses for the last few days.

Fury 1
My personal feeling is that the planned 'surge' could have any number of consequences. Escalating or deescalating the violence in Iraq, though if there is an easing of violence at first I think eventually there will be a counter 'surge' from the militia with the most power at the end of the American 'surge.'

Fury 2
While the additional troops could have a variety of influences in Iraq I wonder about Iranian reactions. Will the drive to develop nuclear capabilities also 'surge?' Add to that the Egyptian President saying that he would develop nuclear weapons if others in the region developed them. This was backed by the state run paper so that can't be coincidence. I hope my friends in Isreal are still okay. So much volatility in that arena.

Fury 3
Lets have a war. War still going. Wasn't that war supposed to end eventually? Where did all the brainiacs in Iraq go? Living in Lebanese poverty? Oh dear... ...yes the outflux of talented people, trying to avoid being murdered undoubtedly, has left Iraq critically short of one of the hardest to obtain infrastructure commodities. Supposing there is an end to the violence, now there is need to coax people back home who, given time, may settle at their new addresses.

Regardless of Bush right or Bush wrong, the consequences of our involvement out in the middle east are going to stay with a war-weary American public for a few more years. I just hope we do not forget Afganistan. From what I get off the newsblotters and Congressional speeches last night; we have a better chance for some success out there.