MENU

Sections

More

March 12, 2025

Chestertown Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown

Op-Ed Point of View Op-Ed Point of View Opinion

Kent County and a serious healthcare hit? By Tom Timberman

by 1 Comment

Share

This article focuses on Kent County, but the possibly very damaging Federal  legislation now being considered, if passed, will affect every US county, particularly those in rural areas. On 2/24/25, the Republican majority in the House of Representatives passed a budget resolution ( H Con Res 14, 119th Congress) that serves as their blueprint for the actual budget appropriations process. It has been passed on to the Senate.

Its major focus is to identify existing Federally financed programs that could be cut, to fund President Trump’s tax reduction priorities, but be deficit neutral.  His agenda includes extending his 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), but also further reducing corporate and high earner tax rates. Moreover, the approach includes  increasing the standard deduction and family tax credits, eliminating personal exemptions and limiting deductions for state and local income and property taxes.

The Republicans in both Congressional Houses face a difficult challenge because the amount needed to support Mr. Trump’s tax plan, but not increase the deficit, is $4.5 Trillion.  And directly related to this issue, is Congress’s looming duty to raise the debt ceiling to avoid the USG’s first ever debt default.

The “Blueprint” targets the House Energy and Commerce Committee which oversees health care and disability programs, to find $880 million in reductions (over the next 10 years).  And the only program the Committee monitors that could offer that large a reduction, is MEDICAID/CHIP, which is a joint Federal/state program. It receives circa $ 600 Billion annually from the Federal Government and $14.6 Billion from Maryland’s.

Nearly, 80 million Americans, .6 million Maryland residents and some 6,200 in Kent County. are enrolled in MEDICAID/CHIP

The House Ways and Means Committee is reviewing how to achieve the $880 Million cut to MEDICAID/CHIP. The current thought is to reduce the standard percentage (90%) the Federal Government contributes to state costs for those who received coverage under the ACA  (Obama Care) expansion provisions. The national total of these individuals is approximately 21 million people.

This approach would reduce the Federal match for the expansion population (90%) to what states receive for the traditional MEDICAID population: 50% for the rich states and 77% for the poorer. The options for states should this become law, are not easy.

The first is they could use their own money to make up the difference. Given Maryland’s current strained financial situation, that would be difficult unless additional larger state programs budgets (education) were reduced further. Another option is to scale back MEDICAID coverage for some groups, eliminate optional benefits or reduce provider payment rates. And then there is the 3rd option: raise taxes.

Those Impacted:

Given the millions of Americans who currently benefit from MEDICAID, one could anticipate some millions will be affected negatively should the plan discussed above become law and be carried out.  However, there is another category that relies on MEDICAID reimbursements that would also be be harmed: hospitals, nursing homes and community health centers.  The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that in 2023, 32% of MEDICAID spending was for hospital based care. These facilities are generally underfunded, particularly in rural areas, and this potential loss of funding, could be expected to force more to close.

Recent White House policies beyond MEDICAID, have reduced care for the disabled. .It is estimated that some 20-25% of Americans are disabled: physically, psychologically or intellectually. The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, required employers of more than 15 people, not to discriminate against otherwise qualified candidates because of their disability. It also required that reasonable accommodations be made for disabled workers

However a 1/20/25 Presidential Executive order directed all relevant government agencies to terminate “…all discriminatory programs, including diversity, equity, and accessibility. On 1/21/25 the President put federal  accessibility employees on administrative leave.

It may just be me, but reducing or removing care for Americans needing help in order to reduce taxes on corporations and the wealthy, without the potential political cost of raising deficits and debt by noticeable billions/trillions with some political cost, strikes me as severely objectionable.

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Tom Paine’s gift to America By Tom Timberman

by 2 Comments

Share

“These are the times that try men’s men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country, but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman..” “Common Sense” by Tom Paine

Tom Paine and the Spirit of Revolution:  Paine is probably the least known of America’s Founding Fathers, and thus our general ignorance of his signal contributions to the creation of the USA.  President John Adams, reflecting back on the Revolution, wrote:  “Without the pen of the author of ‘Common Sense’ (Paine), the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain.”  But, who was he,  and why was he so important?

By the early 1770s, Paine was a relatively well known, self-made intellectual and political commentator when Ben Franklin, representing the American colonies in London, met him.   After multiple conversations, Franklin had become impressed with Paine’s, for the time, radical views and also with the strength and conviction he expressed them. In 1774, he invited Paine to move to Philadelphia and to work with him and others on a movement aimed at independence from Great Britain.

Paine arrived in Philadelphia on 11/30/1774. He was 37 years old with well settled social and political beliefs and opinions. His father’s Quaker beliefs and the social segregation he suffered as a result, deeply affected Tom growing up.  As did his later gig-based travels around England, following his parents’ deaths.  He  was exposed to and experienced the distorted social and political reality of his country; that those who inherited wealth and status monopolized power in Great Britain. And families like his, had none.

Paine was essentially the social media platform of the Revolution.  And his words urging the colonists to separate from, not negotiate with, George III made their mark.  He emphasized independence as American citizens, was the only way to escape continued subservience to the distant British Crown.  Prior to Paine, colonists’ complaints were much milder; they wanted the British Parliament to grant them their full rights as British subjects. Paine changed their minds.

“Common Sense” and the Revolution: Paine’s most famous and probably most influential work, was the 47 page pamphlet “Common Sense” published on January 10, 1776.  It was a general indictment of British monarchs, but focused on George III.  Paine’s radical rhetoric and skillful argumentation electrified the colonies, and “Common Sense” quickly became one of the best-selling written works in America, surpassed only by the Bible. In 2025, “Common Sense” retains the record for the American publication, by a single author, read by the largest percentage of the population.

Six months later, in June 1776, Jefferson’s eloquent Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, officially realizing Paine’s (and others) points.

That summer was a thrilling time for all Americans, minus the Loyalists. It was filled with great energy, excitement and embedded optimism about what lay ahead.   However, that began to dim in August 1776 with the first British defeats of the Continental Army. Americans were being forcefully reminded that His Majesty’s Government rejected Jefferson’s Declaration and were going to fight to retain the King’s colonies.

One American defeat was followed by another, until George Washington’s small force was driven out of Long Island, then Manhattan and then New Jersey. By late November 1776, the 5,000 American troops were positioned along the banks of the Delaware River in Pennsylvania. The gnawing cold, chilled the badly clothed soldiers as supplies dwindled and these already dispirited and exhausted men, began to grumble louder.  Their officers had little doubt that in January 1777, a large number would go home when their short enlistment obligations ended. .

Washington and the senior Congressional leadership, including Paine’s patron, Ben Franklin, had left Philadelphia for Baltimore,  fearing a British assault.  They knew that a critical moment in the revolution was fast approaching .Popular belief in independence was weakening and American communities were becoming reluctant to contribute more money and supplies to provision the Army. They understood that absent a reversal on the battlefield, they would lose the American people.

Christmas 1776: Paine on December 19, 1776, published a collection of essays appropriately called “The American Crisis”,  Copies were immediately sent to Washington, who had his officers read the text to their men. Paine spoke directly to the soldiers themselves:

“Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered, yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.”

 “…that both officers and men, though greatly harassed and fatigued, frequently without rest, covering, or provision, the inevitable consequences of a long retreat, bore it with a manly and martial spirit. All their wishes centered in one, which was, that the country would turn out and help them to drive the enemy back.”     And finally………

 “I call not upon a few, but upon all: not on this state or that state, but on every state: up and help us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better to have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake,” Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it.”  

And then General Howe, Washington’s British counterpart, convinced victory was near, withdrew most of his forces to New York, for the holidays, leaving small garrisons behind, to cover the American units.  Washington had also learned that the Trenton contingent was  made up of Hessian support, not combat, troops.

Taking about half his force, Washington crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Night, marched 9 miles to Trenton, surprised the drowsy, half drunk Germans, who fought briefly, before surrendering. Several weeks later, this victory was repeated at Princeton.

By February 1777, most Americans not only believed fighting to create their own independent country was their national goal, but also that it was achievable. Paine’s words contributed to animating the public, reinvigorated the cause and the fighting spirit of the Continental Army.

Four years and nine months later, British General Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington, following  the Battle of Yorktown, Virginia. .

2025: Paine’s Possible Take on US Politics: Paine’s earlier life in England and his role in the American Revolution, defined his strongest motivations: a passion for natural law, human dignity & equality, for individual rights & for freedom of religion and speech.  With that in mind, what might his observations be today?

  • Role of money in US politics reminiscent of 18th Century England. Should be strictly limited.
  • Influence of rich, powerful oligarchs vs. general electorate on governance is aristocratic, not democratic.
  • Lack of agreement among US politicians on a non-partisan governance consensus is destabilizing.
  • Emotions of voters, not substantive concerns, drive elections today; guarantees chaos, not order.
  • Quality of candidates to do their elected/appointed jobs, sometimes not a metric.
  • Policies reflecting animosity to people based on their ethnicity/religion unacceptable in democracies.
  • Political strategies based on attacking US Constitutional institutions or processes is frightening.
  • Biggest weakness in 21st Century US politics is 24/7 voter access to support for any opinion/belief.

 

 

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

America, Israel & the Violent Middle East Enigma By Tom Timberman

by Leave a Comment

Share

Introduction:

It’s useful to have some understanding of what motivates Middle Eastern males to violence and war,  before addressing the current Israel-Iran/HAMAS/Hezbollah conflict and US involvement. Prime Minister (PM) Netanyahu is a Jew, educated at MIT and Harvard and reasons quite differently.

Every male born to proletarian parents generally in the rural Middle-East-North-Africa Region (MENA), :population some 500 Million, will inherit 4 life-long identities from their dads:  (1) family, (2) race, (3) religion and (4) native language. And some sons may also inherit generational hatred for specific families or males with different identity clusters or even a group that has harmed or disrespected his people. This alienation can descend through a man’s family and/or be personally experienced. Whatever the origin, all are laden with relatively easily aroused emotions,.

The MENA  bourgeois and upper classes also inherit the same markers, but their identities and attitudes are framed by other factors: wealth, influence, education etc. Although, those among them who become MENA political leaders, recognize and use or subdue, the power these ID clashes can exert.  The following chart shows the 3 possible ID elements beyond family, that can be combined and passed on by fathers to sons.

RACE                              RELIGION                                    LANGUAGES

Egyptian Islam (Sunni and Shia) Over 60 – 5 principal:
Arab Zoroastrianism Arabic
Berber Christianity Farsi
Kurdish Berber
Turkish Kurdish
Persian (Indo-European) Turkish

There is one category of Middle East “enemy” , not mentioned above, that can transcend, but aggravate these 4 personal triggers, generate mass male anger and lead to violence. And that is the intrusion of “outsiders”, e.,g. the Roman Empire, the  European medieval crusaders and the French and British colonies. Why? Because they shared no recognizable identity with MENA men.  And often, these strangers killed them, took their land, violated their culture, especially Islam and dominated their lives. .

And, the deepest, current regional “outsiders” antagonism , began in the 1880s with the settlement of European Jews on Palestinian tribal lands, then  part of the Ottoman Empire[1].  And in 1897, an Austrian journalist launched the Zionist Political Movement. Its mission: to press for the creation of a Jewish Homeland in Palestine. In 1917, the British Empire supported the Zionists; in 1922 the League of Nations granted Great Britain an international Palestinian Mandate and over the next 4 years, 75,000  mostly European, Jews emigrated to it.

Americans’ Early Contact with the MENA: During America’s colonial period, interaction with the MENA and its people was largely confined to missionaries, ships, their crews and the trading of goods. Until US independence, the British Navy protected our ships from 4 North African predators:  3 satraps (imperial territories)  and the Kingdom of Morocco.

They captured Western ships & crews and demanded ransom from the owners or national governments could pay an annual tribute, to spare their ships.  But, if neither were paid, the ships were sold and the crews sent to the slave markets.   In 1801, desperate American ship owners appealed to President Jefferson for help. He had just refused to pay a $225,000 tribute ($10 Million today) and ordered Commodore Decatur and the US Navy to convince the 3 pashas and 1 king, to cease and desist and to sign a treaty with the US  (done 1805).

By 1900, Americans had gained an international reputation for honesty and money-smarts. In 1911, following an Iranian revolution that led to a rough parliamentary democracy, William M. Shuster, an American lawyer, was appointed Treasurer General of Persia. He designed a modern  tax system and hired 500 armed men to collect the taxes.  However, the Imperial Russian Government overthrew the parliament and expelled Shuster.

US-Israel Relationship: The German & Japanese WWII surrenders were followed on 10/24/1945 by the creation of the United Nations, introducing a new international environment.  The slowly emerging horrors of the Holocaust, led the UN to prioritize the partition of the British Mandate into two countries: one Jewish and one Arab (Palestinian). With the strong support of the US, the  USSR and other WWII Allies, the partition plan was approved on 11/29/1947. The Arab negotiators refused to accept the  territory offered,  possibly because it was smaller than Israel’s designated slice.

The official relationship between the US and Israel began on its independence day, 5/14/1948, when President Truman was the first head of state to congratulate his new Israeli counterpart, Chaim Weizmann and to deliver US recognition of his government.  Unmentioned, were the earlier ‘assaults on the Native Palestinians.

In April 1948,  Zionist militias attacked and destroyed a number of Palestinian villages, killing hundreds of residents and occupying 78% of historical Palestine. Eventually, some 750,000 Native Palestinians were expelled.  The descendants of those who remained in Israel, continue today without civil rights and are still subject to harsh martial law, enforced by the IDF. The seeds for hatred were sewn[2].

Over the next 76 years, the US provided Israel with military, political, financial and development support  and informally, guaranteed its security and independence in MENA , that mostly wanted Israel to disappear. Israel is now a prosperous, modern – if challenged – democracy with the most powerful military in the Middle East.

Moreover, different US Administrations worked, with mixed results, to broker more stable, peaceful relationships between Israel and the Arab states and the Native Palestinians: 1978 Camp David Accords and 1993 Oslo Accord, both negotiated with the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat (PLO and Fatah Party head).

Arafat’s death in 2004 weakened PLO/Fatah, allowing the considerably more militant HAMAS, an Iranian proxy, linked back to the Muslim Brotherhood, to defeat Arafat’s more moderate Fatah governance of Gaza.  HAMAS later, refused to accept any agreements Arafat had accepted in the 2 Accords.

HAMAS’ 10/07/23 brutal attack on south Israel, led to a  massive IDF military assault on Gaza, now largely destroyed, driving residents South. Over 1.2 Million Palestinians now confront a catastrophic humanitarian disaster. After a year’s combat, some 44,000 Palestinians (civilian and military) have been killed. HAMAS’ ally in Lebanon, Hezbollah, fired missiles into northern Iraq on 10/08/23, forcing some 60,000 Israelis to leave their homes.  The IDF’s heavy air and recent ground counter assaults, killed Hezbollah’s long-time leader, Hassan Nasrallah, 6 of its 9 most senior military leaders; and caused substantial destruction in Beirut.

Concluion

The war comes at high human and economic costs to Israel, but Netanyahu continues deflecting President Biden’s and the UN’s repeated calls for a ceasefire, hostage/prisoner exchange and peace talks. Why? There are two overlapping reasons: (1) he believes there is a short term opportunity to continue fighting and crush or severely weaken Iran’s two proxy national security threats to Israel (HAMAS & Hezbollah) and (2). he wants to avoid the loss of political power and its negative aftermath. (His interrupted corruption trial). (1) Crush Enemies:  The PM wants the considerable success of the IDF against HAMAS and Hezbollah to  continue and joins others who believe Iran is in no condition to fight a war with Israel.  And most important, Netanyahu’s public support is rising. Moreover, only the US can force Israel to stop the war, but days before a presidential election, the USG wouldn’t consider it until after 1-20-25. However, there is one possible US-related problem:America has helped build & strongly supports, Lebanon’s military and  the IDF very recently engaged it.

(2)  Political Power Loss: There are also domestic political reasons behind Netanyahu’s dogged determination to expand the war.  His 6 party ultra conservative coalition (most conservative in Israel history) has to stay intact for him to continue the combat.  However, several members have threatened to leave if he moves towards a ceasefire or peace talks. If that happened, his government would collapse and without his winning war-leader persona, he would lose the next election.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Notes: 1 – Judaic religion began some 3500 years ago in  Canaan, today’s Israel. Jewish diaspora followed Roman destruction of 2nd Temple in 70AD. 1931 total Mandate population = 1,035,821, Muslim – 759,712, Jewish-174,610, Christian – 91,398.

2 – Zionist murders first of British officials began in 1944 and continued until Israel’s independence. But then 4 months later, they killed Count Folke Bernadotte, a UN peace negotiator and the Swedish King’s  brother., they considered him too pro Arab.

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

When Peace Visited War: A Christmas Story by Tom Timberman

by

Share

Americans approach Christmas 2023 in a dark angry environment that has divided millions, even families and friends.  Bethlehem, even Santa Claus and definitely “Silent Night” seem far away and somewhat artificial. Two full scale wars, massive death and destruction in Europe and the Middle East and violence and hate elsewhere have definitely dimmed our Christmas Spirit.  

When I’ve been overseas and away from my family during Christmas, generally depressed, I remember an amazing event that happened over 100 years ago.   It always reminds me that there is a special human quality that Christmas can activate, regardless of existing conditions and emotions. 

There is no more dismal, discouraging personal situation than that found on December 24, 1914 in the cold, wet shallow, narrow trench occupied by  an 18 year old British machine gunner, named Bruce Bairnsfather. He was hungry, freezing and scared.  His unit,  the 1st Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment had been fighting the Germans  for 3 months. They ate stale biscuits and tried to smoke cigarettes, too wet to light.  And it was Christmas Eve. 

About 10 PM, he heard loud voices coming from the German trenches across the large field that separated them.  As he wrote after the war, he turned to the soldier next to him and asked: “Do you hear the Bochies kicking up that racket over there?” “ Yes, came the reply, they’ve been at it some time. They’re singing Christmas carols” Everyone in the trench stopped to listen. 

Someone then started yelling at them in English, with a heavy German accent. He was asking them to come join them.  With some suspicion, a British sergeant said, “you come halfway and I’ll come halfway”.  Nervously, the Germans and the British, left their trenches and met in the barbed wire filled “No mans land”.  What happened next is still remembered.  

They had a spontaneous Christmas party. Handshakes all around, wine was found and a soccer game began  Bairnsfather wrote years later that he couldn’t believe his eyes: “Here they were the common soldiers of the German Army and there was not an atom of hate on either side. “

There were other similar instances across the Western Front that day when  small numbers of Germans,  French, Belgian and British troops created their own peace on Christmas Eve.  On December 26, 1914, they resumed killing each other. 

WWI dragged on for four more years at a terrifying cost: 9.7 million military and 10 million civilians were killed. The wounded totaled some 21 million.

As grim as things seem to us this 2023  Christmas Season, they definitely don’t match what Bairnsfather and the other British and German soldiers were enduring on December 24, 1914.   

Tom Timberman is an Army vet, lawyer, former senior Foreign Service officer, adjunct professor at GWU, and economic development team leader or foreign government advisor in war zones. He is the author of four books, lectures locally and at US and European universities. He and his wife are 24 year residents of Kent County.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

America’s Civil War of Weaponized Words and the Middle East by Tom Timberman

by

Share

The MAGA conservatives moved away from policy positions as a platform, years ago, when they discovered people’s feelings were more malleable than policy opinions. It took a while, but Parents Rights, LGBTQ+ Attitudes, State Legislatures’ Independence, God’s Christian Politics, and anti-liberty Federal Government as the enemy, became effective political assault nukes. 

But, there already existed an increasingly effective weaponized word: “abortion”. It had been introduced into the Republican electoral armory during Nixon’s re-election campaign and was eventually adopted.  Over time, it became a very powerful Christian-charged partisan  issue, recast as Pro-Life. The Democrats’ Pro-Choice struck many as too passive. And finally in 2022, the 50 year-old Constitutional right to abortion, was struck down by a more conservative Supreme Court majority.  

In the November 2022 mid-term elections, Democrats unexpected success was largely based on  the other party’s harsh state anti-abortion laws in the former confederacy. And then on December 8, 2023 the Texas Supreme Court denied a young woman’s request for an emergency exception to the state law forbidding abortions. It has become the highest profile abortion case since Roe v. Wade.

Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general, had announced earlier his intention to criminally charge the woman’s gynecologist, if he performed the abortion. This case is receiving largely negative national and international media attention because the court and the prosecutor, ignored the obvious seriousness of the threats to the pregnant mother’s life and the likely still born infant. And for what reason?  Possibly to punish the woman and her family for wanting to abort the baby. Many would call it cruelty. 

Substitution. Given “abortion’s” sharply declining utility to the more radical Republican strategy, there was an obvious, immediate need for an equally muscular and divisive replacement. And the Israel-Hamas War provided it. It’s some mixture of  anti-Zionism, anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian, genocide of either or both, which has been translated into “anti-Semitism” on elite (Democratic leaning) university campuses”. It made its dramatic political debut at a 12/06/23 House Hearing, ,where Congresswoman Elise Stefanik interrogated the presidents of Harvard, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania about their policies re  genocide threats to Jews. The three should have been guided by common sense, not their attorneys’ advice.

It was a stunning success for Ms Stefanik and has resulted in the resignation of the University of Pennsylvania’s head and an unsuccessful attempt to force Harvard’s out as well. There is little doubt that variations of the theme: “Democrats are anti-Semitic” will be used more and more by the other party during the 2024 campaign.  I also foresee more House investigations of liberal-leaning universities racial/ethnic biases. 

Conclusion.  I confess, I’m not sure it’s possible to criticize Israel’s Netanyahu Government, without being accused of anti-Semitism.  Or if it’s OK to urge more US/Western attention to relieve the Palestinian’s catastrophic humanitarian situation, without being accused of pro-HAMAS sympathies.  Predictably, a confusion  politicians will deepen.  

Just a reflection, but the Nazis’ murder of 6 million Jews during WWII – the Holocaust – led to the post-war allied decision to support the establishment of a Jewish homeland in the, then British colonial Mandate for Palestine. During the decades between 1948 (independence of Israel) and 2023, the prevailing image of Israel and Israelis in “Exodus”, carried with it a strong belief in Israel as David fighting the Arab Goliath.  The automatic US support for the defense of and economic assistance for, Israel was assumed by Americans..  

It would seem the Israel-Hamas War may contribute to the fading away of his perception. 

Tom Timberman is an Army vet, lawyer, former senior Foreign Service officer, adjunct professor at GWU, and economic development team leader or foreign government advisor in war zones. He is the author of four books, lectures locally and at US and European universities. He and his wife are 24 year residents of Kent County.

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

What Happens Next to Israel, Hamas, Palestinians and the US? By Tom Timberman

by

Share

Given the emerging speculation about what will follow the massive death and destruction visited upon Israel and Gaza since 10/07/23, there is for me, an important fact to be understood: Hamas is not a country. 

Introduction: Hamas is a violent movement that encapsulates all Palestinian-Arab anger and rage that began in 1948. During the 74 intervening years, Israeli actions deepened these emotions and grievances, out of which a terrorist organization evolved.  It took control of Gaza and generally over the West Bank. It acquired $billions, the support of Iran and others and invested in developing a trained, disciplined and well-armed military force, equipped with a range of modern weapon systems. 

If Hamas were a country, it could be defeated, its government and military dissolved and the winner placed in charge of the loser’s future.  But, Hamas is not a country, it resembles a religious crusade driven by a belief in and dedication to, recovering its holy land from the Jews, who with America’s help conquered and enslaved them.  Powerful motivation. 

If Hamas can no longer operate from Gaza and the West Bank, they’ll relocate and rebuild, with considerable help from Iran and other Middle Eastern and Gulf Arab states. The support may even include Europeans and Americans, who have responded positively to Palestinian suffering in Gaza. In the interim, its leadership will operate from  its headquarters in Qatar, where they will continue to plan and implement terrorist assaults. 

What about the 4-6 million now homeless, desperate, revenge seeking Palestinian civilians? They will continue to be helped by the UN, Western and Middle Eastern governments and international humanitarian organizations. 

Is there  another approach?  The US organizes an international conference to address an agenda for a later decision-making gathering, aimed at creating an independent Palestinian state.    

Tom Timberman is an Army vet, lawyer, former senior Foreign Service officer, adjunct professor at GWU, and economic development team leader or foreign government advisor in war zones. He is the author of four books, lectures locally and at US and European universities. He and his wife are 24 year residents of Kent County.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

America is Losing Control of the Israel/Palestinian Global Narrative by Tom Timberman

by

Share

The US Government reacted very quickly after Hamas’s brutal 10/07/23 assault on southern Israel.  From the highest Washington levels, America’s complete support for Israel and its right to defend itself, were repeatedly underscored. And then on 10/17/23, President Biden traveled to Jerusalem/ Tel Aviv to personally reassure the Israeli people, that  America had their back.  

Two US carrier battle groups were deployed to the Eastern Med, to deter others, particularly Iran and Hezbollah, from broadening the conflict. The United States had the initiative and dominated the story line, until 10-27-23 when Israeli ground forces entered Gaza and its air force continued its indiscriminate bombing.   

The devastation of Gaza, the attacks on hospitals, the mounting death toll of Palestinian civilians, now over 11,000, including some 4,000 children, has placed the US Government on the defensive. Under US pressure, the Israeli Government reluctantly agreed to daily pauses to allow tens of thousands of Palestinians to move South safely and to receive the humanitarian assistance they need.  However, Jerusalem continues to refuse all ceasefire suggestions, with somewhat wavering US support.  

Sharp increases in anti-Semitic violence are widespread and international public opinion has divided:  (1) Pro Palestinian, anti Israel, anti-US and (2) pro-Israel, but also blaming the US for not forcing Netanyahu to avoid the current high level of death and destruction. Large demonstrations of supporters of both views are taking place around the world.  But, somewhat surprising, have been the student conflicts on US campuses, including against Jews.       

Perhaps inevitably, the two positions have become politicized in the US. Republicans are exclusively pro Israel and identify pro-Palestinians as Hamas.  The only House member who is Palestinian in origin, has been censored by her colleagues, for pro-Palestinian remarks. The Republicans also have shifted their support from Ukraine to Israel, but deleted aid to both from their Continuing Resolution. 

Common sense and civility are MIA in Congress.  

How can America Regain Control and Positive Momentum? Simply put, by dramatically changing the subject from the on-going Palestinian human catastrophe, to its (and Israel’s) long-term solution. The US government like most others can be captured by today’s crises because they are in-your-face, demanding immediate attention.  In November 2023, examples re Israel, Gaza and the Palestinians are: longer combat pauses, humanitarian aid delivery and hostage exchanges.  

But, what if President Biden, announced that the US will host a Conference at, for instance, Camp David in early 2024, to discuss the establishment of the independent state of Palestine. It would be leaked as international consultations get underway and would quickly monopolize the thrust of rampant speculation about how, who and where.  Israel would not be pleased because the pressure on Netanyahu to negotiate a ceasefire, would increase ten fold and more quietly, would include the US.  

It’s useful to recall that between June 30 and November 10, 1944, as WWII raged in Europe and the Pacific,  the US organized two conferences (Bretton Woods, NH and Dumbarton Oaks, WDC), where the post war economic order, international reconstruction and the UN organization, were planned.  Probably easier then, absent social media and TikTok. 

Unhelpful Internal Political Dynamics: There is a surprising similarity between some aspects of today’s American and Israeli political situations. Netanyahu and his quite authoritarian government have been working to eliminate the only existing check on its power – the Supreme Court. During the summer and into the fall, massive public demonstrations took place, strongly opposed to this anti democratic action. Reserve Air Force officers, even announced they would no longer participate in regular training exercises, sending a very strong signal regarding the depth of the opposition.  

Moreover, some important cabinet members are prominent fundamentalist Orthodox Jews with an agenda. Most Israelis and American Jews are reform oriented and more secular.  That being said, there has never been civil marriage in Israel, and the agenda being pursued, includes possibly limiting automatic access to Israeli citizenship, to Orthodox Jews. 

And finally, Netanyahu has been able to avoid prosecution for corruption and bribery as long as he is prime minister.  However, once the war and elimination of Hamas no longer dominate Israel, e.g. proposed US conference on Palestine statehood, it’s likely the Netanyahu government would fall because of the “surprise” October 7 massacre and also their attempts to weaken Israel’s democracy. The efforts to introduce stricter Orthodox restrictions also wouldn’t help. 

Tom Timberman is an Army vet, lawyer, former senior Foreign Service officer, adjunct professor at GWU, and economic development team leader or foreign government advisor in war zones. He is the author of four books, lectures locally and at US and European universities. He and his wife are 24 year residents of Kent County.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Wars, Political Chaos, Confusion and Anger: What to Do? By Tom Timberman

by

Share

In late October 2023,  it is difficult to resist the temptation to drink more, to skip headlines or on-line “breaking news” or to avoid those friends who insist on talking politics and/or foreign policy. Beyond their cults and tribes, most Americans today don’t agree on much of anything. 

We are told the country is running out of money because the national debt and interest payments are much too high. But, then also, that the economy is recovering surprisingly well from the pandemic and our GDP could rise to $26 Trillion. The US, the President recently said, is the only country powerful enough to stabilize and defend global democracies, fighting for their very existence. Or, others in America maintain, we should avoid intervening in foreign conflicts because: (a) can’t afford it, (b) solve domestic problems first and (c) we make the situations worse. 

Compromise in the Congress, even within its party conferences, is now considered by many a relic of a sunnier, distant past. Today, a  number of politicians believe, it reflects only weakness. Thus, for the first time in US history, the House majority has been unable to elect a speaker from among its members. The result: all Federal legislation has been stopped for almost 2 weeks.  

If this cannot be resolved quickly, the 12 funding bills required to support the US Government through FY 24, will not be passed, forcing it to shut down in November. And President Biden’s very recent Congressional proposal to provide $106 Billion in aid for Ukraine, Israel, Gaza and SW Border security, will be introduced, but possibly not considered or voted upon.

The traditional internal American unity behind national foreign policies appears to have ended or at least to have taken a long break.  Adding to this problem, is the substitution by some elected officials of rigid policy positions and ego satisfaction for their sworn duty to execute their Constitutional responsibilities for the Commonweal. Taken together, they pose a serious threat to the continued viability of the United States.

What to do?  The US Electorate should take a communal deep breath and focus on this situation, understand its current and future implications and demand the two historically dominant political parties and their representatives at the local, state and national levels get back to work on their behalf, not their own.

Tom Timberman is an Army vet, lawyer, former senior Foreign Service officer, adjunct professor at GWU, and economic development team leader or foreign government advisor in war zones. He is the author of four books, lectures locally and at US and European universities. He and his wife are 24 year residents of Kent County.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

The House is Dysfunctional; Where’s the Contingency Plan? By Tom Timberman

by

Share

The US Congress is closed because of human failure in the House.  However, if the cause, for instance, were a terrorist attack on the Capitol, resulting in the death of House members, including its leadership, what would the Executive Branch do to help Congress get back to work? Who knows?

During 30 years working in the State Department, I participated in a number of  exercises addressing similar emergencies aimed at reconstituting a viable US government. However, the reality today is no scenario. It involves multiple domestic and foreign crises that require Congressional action. The entire federal government could be forced to shut in 4-5 weeks because the Continuing Resolution Congress recently passed, ends in November.  And the inability of the House to elect its speaker means no one has the authority to convene its members, to address and vote on funding (or any) legislation.     

Moreover, the the US for circa 20 months has been leading a NATO/EU coalition supporting Ukraine, as it fights to eject the Russians. And then on October 7, 2023, Israel was brutally attacked by HAMAS and has now declared war against it. 

The US is unable to pass legislation to continue financial and military aid to Ukraine, which has set the standard for our European allies’ efforts.  Similarly, for the same reason, Washington is unable to appropriate and authorize the aid Israel very much needs now.  

What did President Madison and the members of Congress do after the British burned down the Capitol and the White House on August 24, 1814? Dolly Madison saved the famous portrait of George Washington, but what did her husband and his Congressional colleagues do? They probably didn’t wait for the Speaker, Henry Clay to get things organized. Actually, Madison and his immediate staff escaped to what is today, Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Tom Timberman is an Army vet, lawyer, former senior Foreign Service officer, adjunct professor at GWU, and economic development team leader or foreign government advisor in war zones. He is the author of four books, lectures locally and at US and European universities. He and his wife are 24 year residents of Kent County.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

How Durable is America’s Constitutional Representative Democracy? By Tom Timberman

by

Share

The world, very much including the US,  is confronting era-shaping challenges: global warming, pandemics, a major war in Europe, a belligerent China and louder domestic, sometimes violent, demands for more authoritarian and less democratic, governance.  A noticeable trans-Atlantic political mood shift, reminiscent of the interwar period, is also underway; a time when religious and ethnic minorities, were political & physical targets and strong-man rule was ascendant.  President Biden himself describes the choice American voters will face on 11/05/24 as  between democracy and authoritarianism. 

America in 2023 reflects a very strange sociopolitical reality, one which a columnist recently described as a “…digitally connected yet emotionally disjointed and spiritually unmoored society.“  The latter could explain why one of America’s two historically dominant political parties, has been co-opted by a radical authoritarian element, led by a charismatic demagogue. 

While it retains the trappings of a certified US party, its irresponsible actions, disinterest in governing in accordance with the Constitution and resort to violent insurrection in 2021, are characteristic of mass movements pursuing political power to rule.  Over the past 3-5 years, it has also acquired the patina of a personality cult. 

Other established democratic governments are experiencing similar internal anti-democratic pressures. Germany’s electoral politics now includes a relatively new political party, the AfD (Alternative for Germany). Its platform includes Islamophobia, anti-immigration, hyper-nationalism and climate-change denial. Over 8 years, it  has  won enough seats in the Bundestag to threaten the Chancellor’s own party. 

Even Israel has gone from “Exodus” to a battle between outraged voters and their hyper-conservative government. The prime minister’s coalition is working to end the Israeli Supreme court’s authority to overturn “unreasonable” legislation – the only existing check on dictatorial  tendencies.  

Assessing the staying power of the US Constitutional system is not easy. However, a Harvard history professor, Dr. Serhi Plokhy, suggested a good starting point.  “History, he said, makes the present legible”.  The following traces through millennia, instances when democratic forms of government were replaced or preceded by more  autocratic systems.  

Ancient Rome and Greece to 1787 Philadelphia

Roman Republic (509-27BC) emerged after a group of aristocrats successfully revolted against the last Etruscan King.  Inspired by the earlier Greek democracies, they introduced one of the  earliest and longest-lived representative democracies. It collapsed centuries later because of serious economic problems, wide-spread public corruption and a civil war started and won by a popular general, Julius Caesar. He was Rome’s dictator for 2 years  until his assassination on March 15, 44BC.

Athens and Plato 

Plato (427-347BC) believed democracy was inherently weak, vulnerable to dictators and unable to produce leaders with the intelligence, ability and skills to govern effectively. During his life time in Athens, he experienced oligarchies,,direct democracy and tyrannies, but died before Macedonia conquered Athens (338BC). 

Roman Empire (27BC – 476AD) Caesar’s great nephew, Augustus, became Rome’s first emperor. Many Centuries later, after a long internal decline, the western Empire ended in 476AD, when the last Roman Emperor, Romulus,was defeated by Germanic barbarian forces.  The Empire continued in the East (Byzantium)  for 1100 more years, until several debilitating internal civil wars resulted in the 1442AD fall of Constantinople, to an Ottoman army. The 1400 plus year reigns of these two closely related Empires, represents the longest tenure to date of a single form of government. 

Italian City States (12th – 14th Century). They styled themselves as “republics” and were able to innovate because the Alps protected them, from invasions by the Germanic Holy Roman Emperors.  Left to themselves, they developed limited representative governments, early capitalism, banking and accounting. However, by the 14th Century all, except Venice,  had become hereditary duchies and principalities.  

Great Britain. The long march to the US Constitution and its representative democracy,  began in 13th Century England. The barons had grown tired of King John’s arbitrary rule and his poaching on their prerogatives. In 1215, they forced him to sign the Magna Carta, subjecting him to the same traditional common law and the document’s rights, that all subjects followed. It is considered the cornerstone of our individual liberties today. The barons also created an oversight Committee of 26 (barons) to ensure the king didn’t stray,:an acknowledged ancestor of the UK Parliament.

Fifty years later, in 1265, a powerful British noble, Simon de Montfort convened what is considered the first “representative” parliament, because he invited commoner town/city officials to join the barons and knights to discuss governance issues. The lower house of the British Parliament is called the Commons.

Much later, in the 17th Century, two British civil wars challenged the “excessive” powers of the monarchy versus the parliament’s. King Charles I was executed, leading to 5 years of Oliver Cromwell’s puritanism and military dictatorship.  Cromwell died in 1658, and Charles II was restored to his father’s throne in 1660. Puritanism faded fast.

The Glorious Revolution (1688-89) saw the bloodless deposition of the Roman Catholic King, James II & his daughter’s and her husband William’s peaceful accession as co-monarchs. Both were Protestants. 

Almost coincident, in 1689 two British intellectuals, Isaac Newton and John Locke wrote 2 manuscripts. Together, they formed the basis of the The Enlightenment,  a hugely liberalizing political philosophy. They described it as an attempt to  synthesize the relationship between God, Man and Human Nature. Many of America’s founders were deeply influenced by it.  And Jefferson, translated it for the Declaration of Independence as: “…all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. “ 

The Revolution, the Constitution and the Birth of the United States of America

Many of the 55  Americans attending the May 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, had an Enlightenment vision in mind for their new country.  Also, they and other Revolutionary leaders had grown up in the 13 colonies, were very familiar with Britain’s political history and had experienced its colonial governance structure: an executive and a 2 house legislature (appointed council & elected assembly).

. The final draft of the Constitution was completed in September 1787. But, ratification was delayed to allow stronger protections for citizens against a possibly overbearing Federal Government, to be added. The first ten amendments to the Constitution (Bill of Rights) were inserted and the revised draft was sent to the state legislatures. It should be noted, that slavery economics had been ignored, in order to get Southern ratification.

By March 9, 1789  a majority of states had approved it and some 9 months later, US and UK reps.  signed the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the Revolution and recognizing the independence of the USA. 

Has the Past made our Political Present Legible? 

Yes, it helps, The earlier mini-review of Western political evolution, does offer two  general conclusions: (1) no single form of government lasts forever and (2) the thousands of major changes in Western forms of government since 427BC (Plato’s birth) have included few that were gradual, calm or even peaceful.  

Moreover, today’s political environment is also being shaped by three singular 21st Century realities: (1) the existence of social media/special apps; (2) the willingness of some 2000 Americans to violently overthrow the legitimate outcome of the 2020 presidential election (failed) and (3) the party’s presumed 2024 presidential candidate is the one whose loss of reelection in 2020, led to the failed 2021, assault on the US Capitol.

Since late 2021, he has been indicted by 4 courts on 91 criminal charges.  However, his popularity among millions of party members has not diminished.  If convicted or again loses, what then?  . For the preceding 156 years (1865-2021), the US had avoided any comparable American on American brutality, for political ends.  

The co-opted party gained a small House majority in January 2023.  The radicals, under the leadership of their speaker, who traded his authority for the job, has been unable to control their dysfunction and chaos. In May they were responsible for a very near US default on its debt and in September, for a likely closure of the Federal Government on 10/01/23. The party itself continues to undermine US agencies and departments. 

Benjamin Franklin understood the fragility of this form of government he had just helped  create. As he left the Pennsylvania State House in September 1787, he answered a passerby’s query: “We have a Republic, he said,  if you can keep it.” And that’s the question we face today: Can we keep it?

That’s a known unknown (thanks to former SecDef Rumsfeld). 

“There are three kinds of people: those who see; those who see when they are shown; and those who do not see.” – Leonardo da Vinci

Tom Timberman is an Army vet, lawyer, former senior Foreign Service officer, adjunct professor at GWU, and economic development team leader or foreign government advisor in war zones. He is the author of four books, lectures locally and at US and European universities. He and his wife are 24 year residents of Kent County.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.