By Jesse Jose

A Cup O' Kapeng Barako 

T here are things that confound me.

A couple of days ago, I received an email from my good friend, Gerry Garrison of Auburn, Washington, telling me about his indignation on a proposal in the U.S. Senate to have the START Treaty tied to approving the extension of the much talked-about Bush Tax Cuts.

He said that it would be the "most irresponsible thing" that any senator could propose.  And that it's "incomprehensible that any member of the Senate would even consider such a compromise, much less bring it to the floor of the Senate."

My reaction was: Huh? I e-mailed Gerry back and said:

H ello Gerry, my good buddy...

First, I'd like to apologize for the delay of my reply to your email.  And to thank you for the "pinakbet" that you and Tara brought to the house.  You could've come in for a cup of coffee. The pinakbet was delicious. It was cooked the Pampanguena-Bulakena way, wasn't it? Maribel and I had it for ulam that evening when you brought it and on the following evening. Masarap talaga ang pinakibet.  It's my favorite ulam. Please tell Tara, "Maraming Salamat."

Now, in reply to your e-mail about the START Treaty and Bush Tax Cuts: Your thoughts on the matter are truly profound. And you're a fine writer, too. But to tell you the truth, I am not well-versed on this Treaty. I have not been following up on its development. I don't even know how it all started; I don't even know what START is ... nor its definition. And the WHYS of it. 

Also, I don't know why it would be "irresponsible" and "incomprehensible" if this Treaty is tied to approving the Bush Tax Cuts. 

Can you please expound and explain all this?

What I am trying to say here, good buddy, is: Can you perhaps write this as an article, and we'll get it published on the on-line magazine that I write for?  It will be within my A Cup O' Kapeng Barako column, but with your name on it as the author of the article. It doesn't have to be a long article.  Perhaps, a page and a half, or two pages, would suffice. 

Let me know your thoughts on this suggestion.  God bless, take care and regards.  See in church this Sunday.

Jesse 

A nd here, Dear Readers, is Gerry's story, en toto:

The new START Treaty and the Bush Tax Cuts 

I read an article today about a rumor that there is proposal in the U.S. Senate to have the U.S.-Russia Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) tied to approving the extension of these tax cuts. If so, that would be the most irresponsible thing that any senator could propose. Even though the President and Republican members of Congress have negotiated a compromise to keep the Bush tax cuts, there are still liberal senators who are opposed to this legislation.  Many of them want this treaty ratified and could use the tax cuts as a way to get this treaty ratified.

Under the Treaty, the U.S. and Russia will be limited to considerably fewer strategic arms within seven years from the date the Treaty goes into becomes ratified, if ever, by the Senate.  Each Party has the flexibility to establish for itself the makeup of its strategic forces within the collective limits of the Treaty.  While there has been lots of discussion of the New START over the past few months, with many Republicans apposed to it for various reasons, there is one country that isn’t a party to this treaty, and should be. I believe most of the negotiators of this treaty, whether purposely or not, have not contemplated China's dynamic nuclear force, which has been updated in the past months and years. 

I am unable to figure out whether or not President Obama or any of the progressives in Congress taken in consideration the implications that while we build down our strategic nuclear forces by some 20–30 percent under New START, the People's Republic of China is building up its strategic nuclear forces.

Whether or not Congress takes up the idea of ratify the treaty in the coming weeks, I find it incomprehensible that any member of the Senate would even consider such a compromise, much less bring it to the floor of the Senate. However, it would not surprise me if several of the far-left senators would use the tax cuts to get this treaty ratified. It is what some members of congress have come to. Progressives have their own agenda, and it is not the welfare of the United States.

Many Democrats, along with some Republicans, such as George Herbert Walker Bush, Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice who support the ratification of this treaty. However, nowhere I can find has there been any consideration when it comes to China’s ambitions on this matter. Since passing the arms-control pact will obligate us to its provisions for the next 10 years, I believe we are going to be hamstrung when it comes to China’s ambitions. I remember when they got upset 15 years ago, when we supported Taiwan’s desire to be a free democracy and threatened to attack Taiwan. I set on an aircraft carrier in the Taiwan straits, praying we weren’t going to go to war.  Now I see them having little or no reservations in continuing to build up their nuclear arsenal in order to have greater power in East Asia and around the world. Once there, there would be little or no restrains on them from trying it again.

Back to the agenda of the liberal and progressive members of Congress, the administration, as well as those politicians and pundits across this great nation. As I look at the last few days, and all the pandering that has been going on between the liberal members of Congress and the President, I cannot help but wonder when this is all going to end. The Democrats could have passed their agenda months ago. They had and still have the majority in both houses. They claim they know what is best for this country. If that is so, what has held them up in passing their “middle-class tax” cuts, while leaving small businessmen with a potential loss of revenue, when the Bush tax cuts expire at the end of 2010? They continue to ignore the majority of the people of this country. They continue to treat us as if we were children, not knowing what is best for us. They continue to believe they have all the answers, and know what is best for this country. Really? They continue to spin the same crap they have been spinning for the four years. And they wonder why so many of their ilk are no longer employed as members of Congress.  

Now it is the time for “tea party” conservatives to let all the old fogies in Congress and the Senate what this country wants from it’s elected officials. All those who love this country, need to write to their senators let them know to do what the Constitution has delegated them to do. Tell them to vote yea or nay on the START treaty, based on the merits or lack thereof, of this treaty. Then vote up or down to extend the tax cuts before the go home. The people will decide what to do with those who continue vote as their way, instead of voting as their constituents directed them to do. Anything else would be irresponsible.

Gerry Garrison

Life is short. Forgive quickly. Kiss slowly. Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile.

PS: So, what do 'y'all think, Dear Readers, of my friend's story of indignation?  JJ