Thru Other Eyes

Goodbye 2007

It's almost time. 2007 is drawing to a close and it's that moment when we tend to look back at what the year was all about. You may look back at what made the news headlines in 2007 or what the year in sport looked like. For the more voyeuristic among us you could check out Hollywood's most notable breakups and hook-ups or perhaps your interest is more melodious in nature and then you may be interested in the year in music.

New Year's is also a moment to look forward. And what better way to do that then to aim the spotlight on some normal, non-celebrity and non-famous extraordinary young people who made the news in 2007 for noteworthy achievements that go way beyond their chronological ages. If these youngsters

To My Valued Email Subscribers

The service that issues my email updates has in error issued an email as if an old article was newly (re)published. My excuses for the inconvenience as I do not want you to feel that I am 'spamming' your email address with old articles. I have asked the supplier to look into this problem as it has occurred a few times in the past. Thank you for your understanding. Lennybruce

RIP Benazir Bhutto

My condolences to the family of Ms. Bhutto, to the families of those killed and injured in both attacks today and to all of Pakistan. This can herald in nothing good in a country already struggling for its soul.

As I watch the news right now I get a very uneasy feeling of apprehension in the pit of my stomach. Pakistan was already on the verge of imploding. We have never adequately realized how important it was to embrace and encourage true democratic forces in Pakistan.

If the so-called 'war on terror' has anything to do with an ideological struggle between the ideals of democracy versus the insanity of extremist terror then Pakistan is ground zero when it comes to the competition between those two forces within Muslim society.

It is impossible to predict what types of forces and dynamics her assassination could unleash. I pray for cool heads and may leaders everywhere be granted the wisdom to deal with this tragic situation.

Good Will To Men, Every Day of the Year

This is the season isn’t it? For a short time every year a great deal of the world shops till it drops, overburdens national postal systems with greeting cards and one thought prevails above many others: “Peace on earth, good will to men.” The Christmas spirit is so ubiquitous that there is no escaping it. Even though we of course don’t celebrate the holiday as such (we are getting together with some friends for a Judeo-Muslim turkey dinner with all the trimmings on the evening of the 24th) I wouldn’t mind if every day was imbued with a bit of the Christmas spirit, and then I am particularly referring to that prevailing thought – “Peace on earth, good will to men.”

It’s an interesting thought that could use a slight realignment

Would you buy a used car from..... ?

I know its kind of a cliche when it comes to political candidates. But I still find it a really effective and lightning quick litmus test in gaging how I feel about a candidate. Of course, it's only helpful if you believe that integrity and trustworthiness are important characteristics in a politician. And I am not talking about that minimum threshold of wiggling and spinning that is sadly part and parcel of being a politician today.

When I ask that question of the current crop of Democratic candidates vying for their party's nomination for President I come up one short. Although of course I have my favorites in the field,

Shall we continue to dance or shall we sit down and eat?

There has of course been an incredible amount said and written about Annapolis and the upcoming peace process. But everyone makes it so complex. It is actually quite a simple equation. If both parties truly want to see a peace deal then the terms of the deal are known. Everyone knows it in their heart but no one is brave enough yet to give up the song and dance and just get on with it.

For peace to be achieved, for peace to be successful and lasting, for peace to lead to regional stability and development, these are pretty much the only terms possible on the core issues, give or take:

Israel's Fear of Commitment?

Israel’s objection to America’s proposed UN resolution supporting the efforts to strive towards concluding a peace agreement in 2008, and its subsequent quick withdrawal, provides an interesting window into Israel’s emotional angst regarding the peace process. This angst was further underlined today when Prime Minister’s Olmert played down the chances and expectations of achieving a peace deal in 2008.

Like many over-testosteroned youngsters, Israel has a fear of intimacy and therefore commitment, not to some college sweetheart but rather to the peace process itself. This fear of commitment tells us several interesting things about the nation's mindset at this crucial juncture in Middle East history.

The first thing it lays bare