Amiram Hayardeny’s BigMouth

In a different world, on another planet, in what must have been a different life, I have learned that you do not negotiate with terrorists. It was crystal clear. In situations where hostages are present, you think, you become creative, you try the best you can to identify the terrorists out of the crowd, get the bad guys and spare the good guys. Period. No exceptions.

The older ones may remember the terrorists who hijacked a Sabena (a Belgian airline) airplane back in 1972, and landed it in the Tel Aviv airport. After a few hours of talks, Israeli commandos stormed the airplane, killed the terrorists and released the hostages. (more).

Later, in 1976, Israeli commandos went all the way to Entebbe, Uganda, to release hostages, only some of which were Israeli (more).

It was clear back then, that terrorists are murderers. It was clear that no matter what one’s political agenda was, murder of innocent bystanders, hijacking and taking hostages was not to be in the arsenal of weapons used. Media, yes. Propaganda, yes. Murder – no.

But terrorists are not very clearly defined anymore. Some are freedom fighters now. Their murders appear to be justified.

I salute the Indian police and military. I salute the Indian government, and most of all the Indian president Mr. Singh. For clearly stating that they will not bow to terrorism. That no negotiations will take place. Indeed, the price is unbearable. The lives are lost are entire worlds. But the price of negotiating is way higher. We’re seeing it in Israel every single day. We now have a neighboring terrorist country, with a terrorist prime minister. And the respect they receive is not one reserved to terrorists. It’s the one reserved to nobility. For some reason people, in order to live a reasonable present, are ready to mortgage their futures and their children’s. Does this sound familiar?

The inability to sacrifice, the need and desire to live the day, the conspicuous consumption, and yes giving in to pirates and terrorists, are all different symptoms of the same disease. Societal rot. The West must realize, and quickly. These terrorists are not motivated by deprivation, or discrimination. They are driven by fanatic religious beliefs. Wake up before it’s too late.

And by the way, a small comment to the Israeli Television Channel 2. When a rolling terrorist attack is in progress, when people’s fate is unknown. When bodies are lying around, and large stains of blood are covering floors. Who the hell would want to promote their products in this context? Tnuva (largest Israeli Dairy), Elite (largest Israeli candy maker), Ferrero and Kinder (European candy makers), and the Israeli Lottery system – from now on, I shall associate your products with death. And while the lottery system can get away with it, candy and dairy products can’t. Be appropriate. Call the campaign managers, and tell them: take my promotions off the screens!!!

 Share

In the world we live in pirates are permitted to hijack commercial liners.  In the world we live in, pirates actually exist.  In our world, terrorists attack and kill innocent bystanders simply because they are there.  In the world we live in, people actually condone violence, to the point of officially denying victims of the right to protect themselves.  In our world, Shimon Peres, the president of the State of Israel, and a person who has done more for peace in the Middle East than any other person alive, is almost physically attacked, not in Afghanistan, not in Teheran, but in London, by Englishmen, and for what? For representing a country who’s trying to protect its citizens from vicious, continuous rocket attacks.  Our world allows terrorism.  Sometimes condones it.

Everyone is shocked at the unprecedented terrorist attack last night in Mumbai, India.  But why are we so shocked?  Is it simply because this attacked was directed at Western tourists?  At least by the sites carefully selected for the attack it would seem that Western tourists were selected this time.

Last February, less than a year ago, we took a family trip to India.  To Rajasthan mainly.  While most of the trip was spectacular and pleasant, notwithstanding poverty and stomachaches, we did have an incident.  Here it is as I wrote it back then.

“We were set to visit a mosque and a Jain religion temple at the outskirts of Jaipur.  When we arrived at the vicinity of the mosque, we were “greeted” with an offer to escort us through.  When I declined, the person turned from inhospitable to hostile in a minute, and then he turned to his associates and started pointing.  In a split second decision which I don’t regret, I instructed my family back to the car.  Ten seconds later we were gone.  No mosque, church or temple are worth the feeling of discomfort and insecurity.  With one look, this guy, whose name I shall never know, succeeded in intimidating every single bone in my body.  So thanks, but no thanks.  When I travel, I want to be welcome.  At least not intimidated.  This behavior is not acceptable.”

So why is it that we’re witnessing such this rise in terrorism, and even worse, acceptance by the world?

In my opinion there are two answers.  The first one is obvious, the other not as much.  The obvious one is the financial crisis.  The less obvious one is escalation.  Let me explain.

The financial crisis creates pressure on certain communities, economic pressure that is.  It creates opportunity for others - in recruiting the hopeless, in promising a lot more than seventy virgins.  People who have nothing to lose may be driven to crazy acts of terrorism, if a promise is made for their families to be provided for.  Economic pressure creates a better environment for bribing security guards, government officials, and police officers.  Economic pressure also creates a better environment for “understanding”.  Peace promoters, die-hard liberals, UN officials, are all singing the same song.  The song of the hopeless, and the understanding of terrorism as a last resort.  Let me take a small diversion here and remind everyone that a certain people, being lead to complete annihilation by a certain other people, never resorted to terrorism.

In any case, if anyone suggests that economic recovery will eliminate terrorism, then they should either commit themselves voluntarily, or simply read history.  Choice is theirs.

But this leads to the other reason.  Escalation.

It was proven that a toad (yes that strange relative of the frog), when placed in a container with water slowly being heated, will not jump out even when the water reaches the boiling point.  Killing itself by the inaction.  When thrown into a container with water already at the boiling point, the poor toad will immediately jump out to save its life.  We are toads.  Permitting small acts of terrorism, negotiating with terrorists, paying ransom for hijacked ships, creates an environment where terrorism is acceptable.  This is unacceptable.

As for India, and for that matter Thailand, I’m glad that we had a chance to visit.  I have no desire to visit again.  Given the global financial situation and the security situation in certain parts of the world, I can say again, there’s no place like home.  With a certain amount of confidence, I can tell: if the economy doesn’t improve, and if we continue to accept terrorism as a reasonable way to display displeasure, we should expect more.  A lot more.

 Share

Three beggars have been chosen to represent their communities in pleading with the king to grant them some charity money so they can survive.  The three beggars discussed their way of arrival.  There were quite a few options.  They could drive in, using cars manufactured by their senders.  That option was put off.  Gasoline is too expensive.  They could take the train, but there is no direct route between Detroit to Washington DC.  This option was not selected either.  They even considered a commercial flight, but that turned out to be too crowded.  First class was too expensive.  Almost a thousand dollars.  So they chose to use three private jets.  Each of the beggars came with one private jet.

When they arrived, they were placed in a large room, with many cabinet members, members of the media, photographers and others.  Everyone wanted to see how the king will help the beggars in their mission to feed their respective communities.  There was silence in the large room.  You could hear a pin drop.  The king raised his hand, everyone stopped breathing.  The king started asking questions.

“I’m going to ask the three beggars here to raise their hand if they flew here commercial,” he said.  The beggars sat still.  “Let the record show no hands went up”, the king exclaimed.  The audience went even more silent than before.  “Second,” he kept on, “I’m going ask you to raise your hand if you’re planning to sell your jet . . . and fly back commercial.”   Still no movement on the beggars’ part.   “Let the record show no hands went up” the king said.

The beggars left empty-handed.  Upon arrival, there was no welcoming party at the airport.  Instead, when the three beggars arrived at their exquisite offices, each one of them had a wrapped gift on his desk.  Each one of them opened it up to discover a set of filthy clothes, torn shoes, a crummy hat and a leftover sandwich.  Next time, the attached note said, when you go begging for us, look more like us.

The lesson is simple: beggars cannot look better, feel better, own more than the begged.  A beggar should be a beggar.

So far, the three executives have shown the sin of avarice (greed), the sin of arrogance.  But most of all, the ultimate sin of commonsenselessness…

 Share

I was sitting with the receptionist in my new office the other day.  We were going over some processes, in fact, she was giving me some instructions.  As we were speaking, a door opened, and two people came out.  One was the COO, the other was an old friend.  A class mate.  We went to high school together.  We looked at each other, we shook hands, exchanged emails, and parted.  Last time we met was over twenty eight years ago.

This can only happen in Israel.

A few days go by, and an email comes in.  My new old friend said he visits the area where I work on occasion.  We decided to have lunch.  No date was set yet.

Another couple of days pass, and another email came in.  It was yet another old class mate, who happen to know the other guy.  Naturally.  He said he would love to come for lunch.  I said it would be great, and that our other friend would be there too.  We were all excited, expecting, anticipating the reunion.

Today, a few hours ago, one guy called and I went downstairs to meet him.  We hugged, and a few minutes later the other called saying he was coming up.  We met for lunch in a great Brazilian restaurant.  Papagayo.  And if we didn’t have enough surprises yet, there was our third class mate, accompanied by the fourth, who came with him.

There we were, four old friends.  Indeed, two of them are good friends, two others saw each other a couple of times during the last three decades.  Four old friends meeting after more than a quarter century.

This is Israel.  The land of everlasting friendship.

Names start flying around.  Two dead friends are brought up.  One killed in a car accident, the other suffered a heart attack.  Three are divorced, two remarried.  All successful in their respective occupations.  Children, school, military services.  Degrees, ranks, and wars.  Experiences, jokes, comedy and tragedy.  Friendship.

As I said before.  Only in Israel.  Only at home.  Welcome home Amiram.  You’ve been missed.

 Share

I remember clearly a couple of years ago, driving my car and hearing a short news items along the following lines: “an strong earthquake was felt in the Indian Ocean.  Some casualties have been reported”.  In retrospect, I remember clearly that the message along with the tone communicated a small, almost negligible seismic event.  The next news cast already reported of a “few dozen casualties”.  To make a long story short, it took weeks before the full magnitude of the event, including the quarter million dead, completely destroyed communities, diseases and economic disaster, was clear.  A very interesting place to follow the development of the crisis as presented in the news media can be found here.

A few months ago, some American banks reported a sub-prime mortgage problem.  Many dismissed it as a local event.  Bank managers, including the manager of the Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns and others interviewed extensively, showing confidence in their organizations.  Weeks, sometimes days, and even hours later, organizations went under.  It seems to me that the magnitude of this economic downturn is not yet realized, and most certainly, its end is not yet known.  A very interesting place to follow the history of this crisis, including its legislative roots, can be found here.

But last night, watching some trash-TV promo, on the Israeli infamous Channel 2, I was enlightened.  I suddenly understood the connection and the relationships between the different elements which caused this economic disaster.  One word: Greed.  I wish there were ways to scream the word, or color it is a way that would register better with the reader.  Just saying it, or writing it, in five plain letters does not do justice to the level of uncontrollable appetite for money, and more money, and bigger cars, and fancier watches, and unnecessary gadgets, in short conspicuous consumption, amazing consumerism, driving entire economies on the ability of its people to consume things they don’t need, paying for it with money they don’t have.  The ability of people to strongly believe that the future is now.  That the continued existence of themselves and their descendants is unimportant, that savings is a bad word.  Something lead those people to believe that if they could sell an arm or a leg, and take the money to the mall to buy another pair of shoes from some brand name, which was manufacturing the shoes in some remote country by poor and staring children - is a good thing, and that it will drive everyone to prosperity.  Well, a brand named pair of shoes is not particularly attractive when one of your feet is mortgaged to finance it.  A Rolex does nothing to your social stature if your left arm is at the bank.

Destructive capitalism is driving economies, people, families and countries to starvation now.  Tycoons are no longer.  Or they are sufficiently crippled to present some humility to media interviews, if they interview at all, that is.  They are caught in a very dangerous downturn spiral.  If they interview and sound worried, the stock of the companies they represent go down the next day.  If they don’t interview, investors (what the hell is an investor?  Someone who buys a stock at 9:30 and sells it at 9:45 for a 2 cents per share profit?  Someone who gambles on the demise of a company and borrows stock to sell in the hopes that the stock will crash and he or she will be able to buy it at a lower price and live of the margin?) get nervous and sell.  If he interviews and looks smog, the stock goes down as it’s interpreted as an attempt to present confidence based on absolutely nothing.  It’s a lose-lose situation.

Anyhow, how do the two TV people, with all the right brand name clothes and gadgets, with the hair jell and the D&G glasses, deliver an explanation for the financial crisis (right, like the word crisis really represents this outstanding loss of wealth, jobs, and confidence).  This is how the conspiracy works:

A fully commercialized TV station recruits a couple of good for nothing media characters.  They are popular with the crowds.  In fact, they are idolized by the crowds.  They come up with some “reality” show - a nice name for a place for ordinary people to humiliate themselves for money (Moment of Truth, American Idol, Fear Factor to name a few, but the list is long and ugly).  This junk actually generates viewing ratings.  The rating is the new God of the twenty first century.  Businesses buy minutes or fractions of minutes to advertise whatever junk they want to sell.  Usually junk that you either don’t need, or can’t afford.  People watch the shows (very annoying experience as I can tell from the few times I did watch.  Five minutes of program for every three minutes of commercials), and race to the nearest shopping mall to buy the advertised junk.  When they get to the point that money isn’t enough anymore, they use credit.  When credit runs out, they use home equity, education funds, savings account, pawn shops, body organs, so they can buy the junk sponsored by the two celebrity clowns.

Is it really that hard to understand how an entire society finds itself completely and thoroughly broke?  Buying a house one can’t afford, with money that apparently and in retrospect, the bank couldn’t afford to give, ant a completely unreal price isn’t a good practice.  And hear this: it must lead to criminal activities.  How so?  Simple.  In yesterday’s news the following story was on the headlines.  A couple of businessmen bought land in a major development area in the US.  They brought in estimators who estimated the land to be worth almost two billion dollars.  Based on this estimate, they took a loan from the bank for over one billion dollars, putting the land down as collateral.  It happens so, that a third, independent valuation of the land found that the land was worth a fraction of the original estimate.  Less than half.  Voices are now heard that a criminal investigation should be launched.  All I can say about it, is an extremely sarcastic comment: government investment in police could provide employment for all the unemployed.  And accomplish some justice in the process as well.

Bottom line.  Consuming with no limits is indeed driving the economy.  To complete destruction.  We seem to have lost our values.  Lets reintroduce some values to our societies.  First and foremost: charity.  Not of the glamorous kind, but of the small and humane kind.  Help people directly.  People who lost their ability to provide for the families.  Go to your local town hall and ask for a family known to them to be in trouble.  And give, if you can.  Consume with respect to yourself, to your community, to your abilities, to global interests.  And don’t listen to shelled celebrities when they send you to the shopping malls to buy stuff you don’t need.  Appreciate people as the persons they are and not as the hanger they serve for brand names.  Be respectful to education, to family values.  Idolize nothing.  Doubt everything.  Trust your good judgment.

It’s just before Christmas.  People will try to tell you that the economy will go even worse if people don’t shop.  Let me tell you a little secret.  They said it last year too.  And the year before.  Societies should never be driven on how much they consume, but on how much they produce.  And this is the biggest lesson I have learned from this crisis.  A society that gives up its entire production and manufacturing capabilities, and is dependant only on consumerism, is in a much deeper problem than it thinks it is.

 Share