Paralysis through Analysis

It is not surprising that the world view with respect to Iran continues to be 'concerned' yet when it comes to real action, there is a continued paralysis among world bodies. As expected, the U.S. is taking the strongest stand against Iran but also continues to try to build consensus, utilize the UN, and run through an array of meaningless diplomatic exercises. Does no one remember the exact same efforts made pre-Iraq war? Can we just say what we all know in our hearts?

1. The U.N. is useless. It is a forum for people to talk a lot but when it comes to passing and enforcing resolutions, I might as well write my own resolutions from my PC and announce them to the world. They have more chance of being enforced than a U.N. resolution.

2. The Iranian nation is currently being led by a fanatic extremist with little mental connection to reality. His continued interest in revisionist history (i.e., the holocaust) and threats to wipe out other countries (i.e., Israel) demonstrate he is not going to play nice. This is like the kid in nursery school that you have to give a major time-out to (i.e., a couple bunker busters into the Iranian nuclear weapons development programme). Unfortunately, Arab leaders tend to respect strength through force and most likely, only a good punch in the nose is going to get the Iranian leadership to calm down.

3. The Russians are turning into modern day Neville Chamberlains. Continued attempts to appease the Iranians and recent invitations to the newly elected terrorist, I mean, political party, Hamas demonstrates where the Russians stand. In anycase, it is a waste of time.

4. Europeans are pretty much the same, appeasement first and then shock when the U.S. comes in to clean up the mess. Although worth noting, France of all countries, implied a nuclear response from them is on the table if Iran messes about. Quite surprising coming from the world's professional white flag holders.

So lets just be honest with ourselves in where all this is going. The world is going to have to deal with Iran. Diplomacy probably won't work. The U.N. will not be effective, Europe will not take action and the U.S. needs to move sooner than later. I just hope the analysis does not take so long that it becomes too late.

Mom Sometimes Knows Best

The other day I had a chance to sit down and talk with my Mother. This is not something that I often get to do since we do not live in the same country. I happened to get lucky on a business trip and had a chance to swing by my parent's house. So, as it turned out, I got to spend a whole day with my Mom.

We went out for lunch and I actually got to talk to her. I have to say, not only was it nice but I surprisingly got some good advice. I think over the past few years, I have been kind of hard on my Mother. I usually expect her to say things that are of no interest. Something about shopping or where she got her hair colored. That was the type of topic that I have come to expect my Mother to talk about.

This time though, I had sort of a problem and talked to my Mother about it. Not to get too much into details, my problem has to do with a career decision that I might have to make. Depending on what I decide, at least 50% of my family (including the wife's side of the family) is going to be upset because the decision is going to lead to a relocation away from half of our family.

Needless to say, I have been receiving pressure from all directions because certain family members either want us to remain close (where we live now) while others want us to relocate to be close to them. I have come to a point where I can not take it. I can not stand that my decision will determine the happiness of others.

So I talked to my Mother. She is actually one of the family members that has basically left me alone so it was nice to talk about the situation. She broke the situation down like this, when it comes to happiness, there are two kinds of people:

1. People that derive happiness from others or,
2. People that derive happiness from within.

She went on to explain to me that the people in the family that are pressuring me are the #1 type and essentially are selfish. In the end, I need to derive happiness for myself from within and make the decision best for me and my family (this is selfish also, but at least it serves my needs, not the family's). It comes down to not being able to please all of the people all of the time.

Regardless of how my situation ends, talking with my mother helped. It reminded me that when I feel alone and faced with problems in life, she is there for me, wanting only the best for me, unconditionally. It is something that I need to appreciate and remember. At least here I can get it in writing and say, "Thanks Mom, I love you".