Prof. Boerner's Explorations

Edited by Gerald Boerner

    
Commentary:

The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 haunts our memories to this day. I remember people building bomb shelters in their back yards, supplying it with food for six or more months, and listening to radio and/or TV news broadcasts for an indication that Nikita Khrushchev had stations nuclear missiles in Cuba, only 90 miles from U.S. territory. Our U-2 spy planes discovered them on one of its photoreconnaissance flights. This triggered a crisis meeting in the President John F. Kennedy’s White House.

Much debate took place to determine a course of action. Adlai Stevenson, our U.N. Ambassador, took these photos to the Security Council to get their support for action. Kennedy finally called for a naval blockade of Cuba to prevent any additional supplies, missiles, or technicians from getting to Cuba. About two weeks of confrontation ended on this day with both sides agreeing to a mutual de-escalation.

The Cuban Missile Crisis was the fourth major confrontation of the Cold War. It had been preceded by the Berlin Blockade/Airlift, the Suez Canal Crisis, and the Yom Kippur War. This type of brinksmanship usually pitted proxy states against each other rather than a direct confrontation of the U.S. and Soviet Union. Each of these superpowers had sufficient nuclear weapons to assure that any conflict using these weapons would result in “Mutually Assured Destruction”.

But now it’s time to dive into our brief exploration of this important event of the Cold War. So, let’s proceed with a look, not so much at the crisis overall, but how this crisis was brought to a peaceful end… GLB

These Introductory Comments are copyrighted:
Copyright©2011 — Gerald Boerner — All Rights Reserved

[ 3569 Words ]

Quotations Related to Missile:

“America must be a light to the world, not just a missile.”
— Nancy Pelosi

“As far as missile defense is concerned, a very thorough consultation process is underway.”
— Gerhard Schroder

“I feel like a nuclear missile. Point me in that direction, I’ll go.”
— George Dzundza

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Edited by Gerald Boerner

Commentary:

Women are generally involved in revolutions, but generally behind the scenes in supporting roles. Of course, there are notable exceptions to this generalization from our Revolutionary War, namely Mollie Pitcher who continued to fire the cannon after her husband was killed and Betsy Ross who sewed our first flag (allegedly). But few have stood with the fighting men like Golda Myerson (Golda Meir) during the quest to establish the state of Israel in the British mandate in Palestine in 1948.

She was one of two women who signed the original Declaration of Independence for Israel. She held numerous cabinet posts during the establishment of the nation, including that of Prime Minister from 1969 to 1974. During her tenure, the Yom Kipper War was fought and won.

We take a closer look at this first “Iron Lady” of Israel; this term would be most famously applied to Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of Great Britain. It is interesting to look at which countries have had strong women leaders in the top position, like England, Germany Israel, India, etc. We might examine what it is about these cultures that enable women to assume leadership roles. What permits this in these cultures? This question is beyond today’s quest, but will be covered in a future post (or series of posts).

So, let’s get going on today’s exploration of the political career of Golda Meir…  GLB

These Introductory Comments are copyrighted:
Copyright©2011 — Gerald Boerner — All Rights Reserved

[ 3596 Words ]
    

Quotations Related to GOLDA MEIR:

“Fashion is an imposition, a reign on freedom.”
— Golda Meir

“Authority poisons everybody who takes authority on himself.”
— Golda Meir

“Ability hits the mark where presumption overshoots and diffidence falls short.”
— Golda Meir

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Edited by Gerald Boerner

Commentary

Due to injury, this commentary will be added later. Please check back. Thank you.  GLB

These Introductory Comments are copyrighted:
Copyright©2010 — Gerald Boerner — All Rights Reserved

[ 3459 Words ]

Quotations Related to O.P.E.C.

“Petroleum is a more likely cause of international conflict than wheat.”
— Simone Wells

“The Christians had a better chance against the lions than the American consumer has against the OPEC cartel.”
— Ed Markey

“Instead of begging OPEC to drop its oil prices, let’s use American leadership and ingenuity to solve our own energy problems.”
— Pete Domenici

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