Published NZ Herald 23/08/05

Congratulations to the NZ Herald (19 August) for publishing the two moving articles on Gaza, one by Georgina Newman and the other by Paul McCann.

Ariel Sharon once said the settlement of Netsarim in the south Gaza Strip was as important to Israel as Tel Aviv. The unilateral withdrawal now underway is evidence that Israel’s claims to Palestinian land are and always have been a matter of territorial ambition and expedience. The problem of demographics presented to Israel by Gaza’s 1.2 million Palestinian residents is prompting Sharon’s action.

“The Journey”

Truman, Harry 1884-1972 “It will be just as easy for nations to get along in a republic of the world as it is for you to get along in the republic of the United States. Now when Kansas and Colorado have a quarrel over the water in the Arkansas river they don't call out the national guard in each state and go to war over it. They bring suit in the Supreme Court of the United States and abide by the decision. There isn't a reason in the world why we can't do that internationally.”

These rules are a draft and Sapiens members are asked to comment on them. It is hoped that these rules can be submitted to the New Zealand Registrar of Companies in the first week of September.








SAPIENS MOVEMENT INCORPORATED
RULES
1/September/2005

The War on Terror is Closed.

Since the London bombings, the Bush Administration has dropped the expression “War on Terror.” That term has now been replaced with “The global struggle against violent extremism.” (SAVE.) Though the “War on Terror” was a lousy choice of terminology in that it identified the enemy as a tactic rather than a group of motivated people with a potent strategy, it was at least correct in describing the situation as a war. In its attempt to avoid the PR embarrassment of a lack of victory, the US Administration risks deluding itself that it is no longer at war. The consequences could be dire.

I need a name for this newsletter. I thought of “The Boulder.” Either something horribly difficult to push up hill or else just the first one to be levered into movement and then it crashes down the mountain side collecting an avalanche of other boulders on the way. Or, what about “The Chorister” with the whole World singing in sweet harmony? All ideas will be gratefully received.

The World.

We do live in increasingly interesting times. You will probably have read the brief article on the Sapiens site which deals with the possibility of an Israeli assault on Iran during this month and next. Should my fears prove justified, the event has within it the potential to permanently alter all our lives. I have been watching developments with some dread.