Please allow me to introduce myself, my name is John – in case you missed that – I’ve been doing work on the website www.youtube.com for almost a year now. It’s been very interesting. I’ve been fortunate enough for some of my videos to receive several hundred thousand hits, and some only a hundred or two. I’ve learned one very valuable lesson; politics are something most people think about very little. Even when confronted with a particularly alarming reality, they’ll generally express a little disdain, and shake their head in pity – as if feeling sorry for someone else.

 

    I concentrate on foreign policy; simply because I can.

 

    I am not here to convince anyone of anything, nor am I biased to one side or another. My turn-offs include extremism and making lists of three. I try to answer emails, but generally can’t be bothered with all of them, but I leave my phone number for anyone to reach me, 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. EST US, if I don’t answer leave a message. I did an internet radio show for about 6 months which was hugely unpopular. Apparently it’s inconvenient in the modern TV/Radio-on-demand world to sit and listen to anything live. Maybe I’ll get around to starting it up again soon.

 

    Now, down to some business. I understand that many Libertarians are not so enthusiastic about foreign policy, but the way I see it; choose isolationism and you will be treated accordingly. This is a world of multi-national mega conglomerate retailers and commodity manufacturing. The manufacturing sector in the U.S. is all but dead; a consequence of Union greed, free market out-sourcing, and lethargy. I wish for a strong domestic economy as much as the next guy, but that’s not going to happen. Our economic and political future here must be build upon diplomacy, mutually beneficial trade, and continuing to lead the world through innovation. Notice the lists of three in this paragraph?

 

    How about foreign policy then eh? Take for example what is happening with the war on terrorism. Hundreds of billions of dollars, no success to speak of, and two civil wars later, the United States dismisses immigration fraud charges against a man named Luis Posada Carilles. That happened on the 8^th of May, this year. On the 17^th of November, 2000 (my birthday by the way), Posada was arrested in Panama and discovered to have 200 pounds of explosives. Of course this brings new meaning to the phrase “An enemy of my enemy is my friend” – a phrase I disagree with - because he was accused then and there of plotting to kill Fidel Castro. Extradition to Cuba failed. Weak case right? Nope, he was also wanted for the bombing of a hotel in Havana in which an Italian was killed - 1997. Posada stated to the New York Times in a taped interview that “It is sad that someone is dead, but we can't stop.” He also expressed disappointment at the lack of U.S. media coverage of the incident, saying that he was wasting his time if no one heard about it. Woops!

 

    Wait a moment, am I a Castro sympathizer? No sir/ma’am, I happen to be a humanist, I sympathize period, and tend to believe the following:

 

Terrorism = Bad

 

    That includes people who use scare tactics to get people involved in politics, and you know who you are.

 

    I disagree that some terrorism is good, even against those I may disagree with. Of course the story isn’t over, why wasn’t he just hanging out in Cuba waiting for the right time to strike? Because previous to 1997, he was wanted for the bombing of Cubana flight 455 in 1976. 73 people died, and the bombs were traced to two employees of Posada. Woops again!

 

    So a few prison escapes, pardons, and some luck later, here he is in U.S. custody. The U.S., leading the world in counter-terrorism (or so they say) and setting examples in places foreign as to how to handle terrorists properly should they attack you, and how to start your very own Democracy. Then they let him go. Ok, so the judge was right about the mishandling of the case by U.S. Attorneys. The charges were rightfully dismissed, however, to not consider extradition is simply criminal, he’s not only wanted in Cuba, where anti-Posada demonstrations have been held, but also Venezuela. Are we protecting this guy? Well he’s basically been given immunity within the United States from his crimes, as well as virtual citizenship. Hey did I mention he’s a former C.I.A. operative? It’s true.

 

    While in Honduras recovering from a gunshot wound, the F.B.I. believed that he was responsible for some 41 bombings at the time. One more time…Woops!

 

    Ok so now for a resolution. The U.S. has stated that they fear he would be tortured/murdered by one and/or both of these countries should they release him there. I can’t say I disagree, what would it look like if the United States of America turned a known terrorist over to the proper authorities? Actually it would probably look pretty good. Being arbitrary here though, may I suggest something that the U.S. has been doing anyway – how about trying him themselves? They are doing it to international terrorists who haven’t committed acts against this country; in fact send him to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for incarceration while his case is built for a bit of fun irony! Never mind, I forgot the C.I.A. thing.

 

    Make your own mind up as to what should happen to poor Posada, after all he is old. Everyone knows that people get cute and helpless when they are old. I’ll be contributing to this website as much as my time allows. I normally wouldn’t go on a rant like this about an individual, but I felt like it was worth a thousand words or so. In any case, until next time, strap yourself in, and peace be upon you.