1. The reconstruction of mutual cooperation and confidence in Franco and European-American relations via bilateral and multilateral institutions and via active shuttle diplomacy between the French Government and the U.S.
“Barack Obama and Joe Biden will renew America’s security and standing in the world through a new era of American leadership. The Obama-Biden foreign policy will end the war in Iraq responsibly, finish the fight against the Taliban and al Qaeda in Afghanistan, secure nuclear weapons and loose nuclear materials from terrorists, and renew American diplomacy to support strong alliances and to seek a lasting peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” (President's agenda, which can be read via the White House's link)
Although France has been instrumental in the forging of the European Union, her diplomats and statesmen have not been successful in fostering European institutional coherence and Franco-American harmony, which are two of many conditions for European-American cooperation and friendship to prosper. Better and more frequent bilateral and multilateral exchanges would generate greater trust. That which is in compliance with the President's agenda.
“ The incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama promises to open a new chapter in Europe's relations with the United States, paving the way for transatlantic collaboration to address such global challenges as climate change, terrorism and the economic downturn (…).Obama's transitional administration wants "more cooperation, more consultation and wants to use multilateral institutions more effectively – and wants to do so on the basis of values and rapport," said Sheinwald. "That's the sort of approach that we in Europe very warmly welcome." (1) (UCLA today, December 9, 2008)
Meanwhile, I am presently working on a concrete Franco-American Diplomatic Action Plan to contribute in finding solutions to these challenges. In this context, please see my proposed Diplomatic inter-State Action Plan for Washington State, which was outlined during my gubernatorial efforts.
2. The consolidation of economic relations (commerce) between the two countries
" Our country faces its most serious economic crisis since the great depression. Working families, who saw their incomes decline by $2,000 in the economic "expansion" from 2000 to 2007, now face even deeper income losses...(...) Barack Obama and Joe Biden have a plan to revitalize the economy....Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe that trade with foreign nations should strengthen the American economy and create more American jobs. They will stand firm against agreements that undermine our economic security.." . (President's agenda)
In order to meet this above-mentioned challenge, President Obama promised to establish "A rapid, aggressive response to our financial crisis, using all the tools we have". And one of those tools is connected to French-American commerce, fair trade and "savoir-faire" (technological know-how).
"Fight for Fair Trade: Obama and Biden will fight for a trade policy that opens up foreign markets to support good American jobs. They will use trade agreements to spread good labor and environmental standards around the world and stand firm against agreements like the Central American Free Trade Agreement that fail to live up to those important benchmarks. Obama and Biden will also pressure the World Trade Organization to enforce trade agreements and stop countries from continuing unfair government subsidies to foreign exporters and nontariff barriers on U.S. exports". (President's agenda).
In this perspective, by promoting the importation of a selective array of French sustainable technology and the exportation of American appropriate technology and high tech, we would generate additional jobs within the U.S.. By striving to harmonize monetary policies among central banks and by emphasizing the promotion of fair trade in holistic medicine and complementary and alternative energies (solar, wind, geo-thermal, hydrogen, tidal, electric, air compression engines etc) and all of the goods and services which nurtures a dynamic and resilient world economy, the United States and France could better serve their people’s basic needs while reinforcing American commerce, American jobs, American public health and the U.S.'s national interests.
In the energy field, President Obama's agenda purports to save more oil than we currently import from the Middle East and Venezuela combined by putting one million plug-In hybrid cars (cars that can get up to 150 miles per gallon) on the road by 2015..."...cars that we will work to make sure are built here in America", and to ensure that ".... 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025". And that the U.S. will "...implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050".
"Invest in a clean energy economy and create 5 million new green jobs: Obama and Biden will invest $150 billion over 10 years to advance the next generation of biofuels and fuel infrastructure, accelerate the commercialization of plug-in hybrids, promote development of commercial scale renewable energy, invest in low emissions coal plants, and begin transition to a new digital electricity grid. The plan will also invest in America's highly-skilled manufacturing workforce and manufacturing centers to ensure that American workers have the skills and tools they need to pioneer the first wave of green technologies that will be in high demand throughout the world" (President's agenda).
In these fields, France has innovative approaches that could be useful to the United States, from small wind generators to electric and air compressor engines (the famous "air car") to biogaz and laser technology. Some of these techniques could be exported to the U.S and built in situ, which would further create American jobs. Please see my gubernatorial efforts in reforming Nations' energy systems and anti pollution measures.
Please see also my gubernatorial efforts in reform mass transport systems. Both countries have useful and complementary approaches which can be of benefit, including, but not limited to the French "SNCF" train system, thereby consolidating Franco-American relations and building the Peace among Nations.
The French are well known for having keen technological projects, but deficient operational and management methods. The President's projected Advanced Manufacturing Fund's scope could incorporate European and French advanced manufacturing strategies.
I am presently working on a concrete Franco-American Diplomatic plan of action to contribute in finding solutions to these challenges. Meanwhile, please see my proposed Economic, Development and "beyond recession" Action Plan for Washington State, which was outlined during my gubernatorial efforts.
3. The reinforcing of environmental protection, "basic needs" sustainability and world development policies between the two countries.
"Obama and Biden will embrace the Millennium Development Goal of cutting extreme poverty and hunger around the world in half by 2015, and they will double our foreign assistance to achieve that goal. This will help the world's weakest states build healthy and educated communities, reduce poverty, develop markets, and generate wealth." The President's agenda
The Bush Administration neglected the environment alleging that global warming was not proven, avoided tackling the challenge of world poverty and development, sidestepped social justice issues, all of which nurtured terrorism, illegal immigration and anti-American sentiments in the international community. Today, over one billion people go to bed hungry, and 2 billion live below the poverty line. According to UNICEF, 25,000 (thousand) children still die each day from the decision-makings of world leaders.
"NEW YORK, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Calling the daily preventable deaths of 25,000 children worldwide 'profoundly shameful and unnecessary', the U.S. Fund for UNICEF today marked Universal Children's Day by launching "Believe in Zero", a campaign that encourages policy makers and the general public to reduce daily child deaths from 25,000 to zero. "These children are not dying from incurable diseases or causes. These children are dying from diarrhea, pneumonia, measles and malaria---things that cost pennies to treat or prevent," said Caryl Stern, President and C.E.O., U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "It is unacceptable and inexcusable that defenseless children continue to die when the technology, expertise and solutions to save them exist right now."
To make matters worse, thousands of acres of arable land are destroyed each hour, from the inter-rivalry greed of corporate and political special interests. France, the Europeans and Americans are only 16 percent of the world's population, but they have the influence, the technology, the knowledge and the money to make the Planet a better place to live in for all. What is presently missing is the will-power to get this task done.
In this perspective, both countries now agree on the importance of the Tokyo Agreement on global warming. Thus, we are on the road of Progress.
"Obama will put America on a path to energy independence (...) He’ll also make the U.S. a leader in the global effort to combat climate change by leading a new international global warming partnership.” (President's agenda)
I am presently working on a concrete Franco-American Diplomatic plan of action to contribute in finding solutions to these challenges. Meanwhile, please see my Washington State gubernatorial Plan of Action to reduce and eliminate Poverty in the U.S and the world.
4. The strengthening of anti terrorism, security and defense policies between the two countries and Europe.
"America's traditional alliances, such as NATO, must be transformed and strengthened, including on common security concerns like Afghanistan, homeland security, and counterterrorism. Obama and Biden will renew alliances and ensure our allies contribute their fair share to our mutual security." (President's agenda)
By emphasizing the down-sizing of American manpower participation in NATO, the shifting of military and investment focus from Iraq to the heroin poppy and terrorist pockets of Afghanistan, by promoting greater French and European responsibilities in securing their own defense and in some regional defense (e.g. African, Mid-East, Iran and Afghanistan), while keeping any arms race in check and integrating all of the NATO members within an American-European-led collective effective and accountable security system, world security would improve while the U.S. would be in a better position to reconvert some of its military might into economic sustainability and preventive diplomacy. Meanwhile, it is important to consolidate alliances in order to firmly reinforce collective security measures, a recommendation which is in compliance with President Obama's agenda.
"Obama and Biden will pursue tough, direct diplomacy without preconditions with all nations, friend and foe. They will do the careful preparation necessary, but will signal that America is ready to come to the table and is willing to lead. And if America is willing to come to the table, the world will be more willing to rally behind American leadership to deal with challenges like confronting terrorism and Iran and North Korea's nuclear programs."
In this framework, there should be greater intelligence and military collaboration between France and the U.S on the issues of terrorism, (as Sarkozy has attempted, tho insufficiently) Afghanistan and the Mid-East. More should and must be done to contain the spread of weapons of mass destruction (and not just nuclear, but the poor man's desperate biological and chemical weapons as well) and on the dangerous defective civil nuclear stations of Eastern Europe, over a dozen of which could be Tchernobyl-like world hassles.
“Obama and Biden will secure all loose nuclear materials in the world within four years. While working to secure existing stockpiles of nuclear material, Obama and Biden will negotiate a verifiable global ban on the production of new nuclear weapons material. This will deny terrorists the ability to steal or buy loose nuclear materials.” (President's agenda)
In this perspective, the U.S could assist France and Europe in safely eliminating these Eastern European nuclear reactors and in being less dependent on nuclear energy and on Russia's oil and assist Russia’s stability by helping to spread alternative energy technologies and eco-sustainability schemes via a massive “Marshall Plan” for all of Europe, the Mid-East, Russia, Georgia, the World.
On nuclear energy, there is serious potential for conflict with France given Sarkozy's public policy on the renewal of France's vast nuclear park, as this public policy contributes to the spreading of nuclear waste and thermo-fission technology in the world.
"Lead a global effort to negotiate a verifiable treaty ending the production of fissile materials for weapons purposes.....Prevent Nuclear Fuel from Becoming Nuclear Bombs: Work with other interested governments to establish a new international nuclear energy architecture -- including an international nuclear fuel bank, international nuclear fuel cycle centers, and reliable fuel supply assurances -- to meet growing demands for nuclear power without contributing to proliferation". (The President's Agenda)
As a result, there are opportunities to convince the French to import American savoir-faire in alternative and complementary energy systems, once more is done domestically on this front. In this perspective, the French would listen much more if the next U.S ambassador spoke French as a Frenchman and with the Roberspierre passionate style (when necessary).
Likewise with Sarkozy's military ambitions, notably with the creation of an European independent defense force which would rival NATO, that which includes an independent weapons unit. A development which could fuel a transatlantic arms race. If interested, please see my analysis on this.
In the field of the Mid-East, there have often been disputes between France and the United States on how to handle these conflicts. My in situ experience with Israel, my Jewish roots and my expertise of this area (via 8 years of university teaching on Mid East conflicts and Islam and over ten years teaching public international law) may be solid grounds upon which to contribute in one of the President's foreign policy goals.
"Obama and Biden will make progress on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a key diplomatic priority from day one. They will make a sustained push -- working with Israelis and Palestinians -- to achieve the goal of two states, a Jewish state in Israel and a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security" (The President's agenda).
Other Security threats where France and the United States have an interest in active cooperation are as follows. Cyber threats (especially those linked to terrorism) and in the creation of a Department of Disarmament and Peace in the two countries and the World. President Obama's plan to create a national CAC of 25,000 personnel, a corps of civilian volunteers with special skill sets (doctors, lawyers, engineers, city planners, agriculture specialists, police, etc.) would help. And the French could match this effort with their organization "Doctors without frontiers" (created by the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Kouchner) and other structures. Humanitarian projects are also peace-making operations and both France and the U.S have excelled in this field. President Obama's agenda goes in this direction.
"The Obama-Biden administration will expand humanitarian activities that build friendships and attract allies at the regional and local level (such as during the response to the tsunami in South and Southeast Asia), and win hearts and minds in the process" . President Obama's agenda.
Which also means greater collaboration when destruction and diseases ensue.
"Ensure that decision-makers have the information and communication tools they need to manage disease outbreaks by linking health care providers, hospitals, and public health agencies. A well-planned, well-rehearsed, and rapidly executed epidemic response can dramatically diminish the consequences of biological attacks". (President Obama's agenda)
I am presently working on a concrete Franco-American Diplomatic plan of action to contribute in finding solutions to these challenges. Meanwhile, please see my gubernatorial efforts in this realm. First on the concrete measures which can reduce terrorism and its source (poverty), while increasing eco development, (measures on anti-terrorism and poverty). Poverty issues are inseparable from terrorism. The Obama agenda emphasizes similar actions.
Then please survey my analysis and proposed measures to reduce tyranny and bureaucracy while increasing the People's Democracy. Finally, please see my recent analysis on NATO and on the theme "convergence-divergence fo interests" in Franco-American Diplomatic relations.
5. The harmonization of public health policies, with an emphasis on exportation, the promotion and legal protection of the best approaches in holistic health (e.g. complementary and alternative medicine), in medical freedoms and in detox and vitality immune building retreat centers.
"The Obama-Biden plan will promote public health. It will require coverage of preventive services, including cancer screenings, and increase state and local preparedness for terrorist attacks and natural disasters...(...) Use health information technology to lower the cost of health care. Invest $10 billion a year over the next five years to move the U.S. health care system to broad adoption of standards-based electronic health information systems, including electronic health records (...) Promote international efforts to develop new diagnostics, vaccines, and medicines that will be available and affordable in all parts of the world. " (The President's Agenda).
In the United States, all of the fifty States are plagued by rising costs and declining insurance coverage, misguided in its treatment plans which tends to maintain and-or cause more sickness rather than health.
“For the first time, cancer has surpassed heart disease as the top killer of Americans under 85…. In 2002, the most recent year for which information is available, 476,009 Americans under 85 died of cancer compared with 450,637 who died of heart disease” (American Cancer Society’s annual report released in January 2005)
With the permission of my superiors, one of my first focus as U.S. Ambassador to France would be on that which is the most precious of all of our internationally recognized human rights, without which our other constitutional rights are meaningless : our right to be healthy and in a state of well-being, as provides the U.N.'s World Health Organization's Constitution.
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (The World Health Organization’s Constitution).
This norm is central to any national and Franco-American relational revival. And can not be achieved until Governments embrace the toxicity and detoxification challenge. And in the U.S. toxins and pollutants are increasing at an alarming rate.
"Chemicals such as lindane, lead compounds, and some brominated flame retardants and organophosphate pesticides are examples of persistent, bio-accumulative, and/or highly toxic chemicals that continue to be used in commerce, although strong evidence exists that they pose threats to human and ecosystem health. (...) With few exceptions, the U.S. government lacks the authority or an efficient policy instrument to prevent these high-priority chemicals from being used in products and processes or released to the environment. It also has been very difficult for state and local governments to restrict these chemicals. Policy instruments to efficiently and effectively phase out problematic chemicals are needed at all levels of government. (New Solut. 2007 Jan 1;17 (3):193-207 17959562.
Yet, other advanced Democracies including but not limited to France are successful in banning bioaccumulative toxicity. Some comparative evidence: Ingredients used in American personal care products: 10,500. Portion of chemical ingredients in cosmetics that have been assessed for health and safety by the industry’s self policing safety panel: 11 percent. Ingredients banned from cosmetics. USA 10. To see the evidence on this issue, please click here.
In Europe, home of the precautionary principle doctrine, there were not 10, but 1100 of these toxic cosmetic ingredients which were considered unsafe and thus banned (www.safecosmetics.org), thanks to the precautionary principle.
“When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.” (Wingspread Statement, 1998)
In a similar vein, we can not achieve the goal of cutting chronic diseases by half in four years without the legal institutionalization of therapeutic (i.e., health, medical) freedoms, meaning that there should be a non discriminatory approach to all empirically-based health-care techniques. From the People's health perspective, there is thus a need to democratize the State's monopoly on "certified official medicine". The World Health Organization has classified over one hundred medical approaches. France has legalized many of these approaches, including, but not limited to acupuncture and homeopathy since 1946 (both of which are reimbursed by the State, including Spa hotsprings medicine).
As Moore's movie on "Sicko" shows, the American chosen mainstream official medicine (called allopathy, meaning drugs and surgery) and its administrative system have too many drawbacks, (see the evidence of multiple hundreds of thousands of Americans who die each year because of this type of medicine).
On the other hand, paying heed to British Prime Minister Disraeli demonstration that health is the most precious resource of a Nation, the European Parliament has recognized over a dozen of innovative and integrative medical approaches, from naturopathy, to homeopathy, phyto-therapy, aromatherapy and acupuncture and others. There are enough protective criminal laws to prevent medical deceit and heretic and-or orthodox quackery. The People need to decide themselves what is their best medicine and when needed, get financial assistance for the health plan that works for them.
"Every human being of adult years and sound mind has a right to determine what shall be done with his own body”. THE HONORABLE Justice CARDOZO et al, in SCHLOENDORFF v. SOCIETY OF N.Y. HOSP., 211 N.Y. 125, 129, 105 N.E. 92, 93 (1914).
In this perspective, Franco-American public health collaboration could encourage American health professionals to better inform patients (including via the advanced French "carte vitale" electronic data system) of all scientifically based prognostic and treatment procedures, including alternative, natural, integrative, “cam” (complementary and alternative medicine) and holistic therapies and approaches, without which the patient's consent is not secured. (See patient's bill of rights).
A U.S Ambassador to France with extensive health experience can be useful for American public health. If one of America's goals is to institutionalize a responsible free choice public-private holistic health system that would exclude no one, French colloboration and health savoir-faire would be useful.
Among other measures and pending Legislation, there may be a social need to adopt three executive orders, if only to catch up to our European and French allies.
1. An executive order on persistent bioaccumulative toxic chemicals measures (Click here the candidate's Wa State model proposal).
2. A second executive order on measures to implement the People's right to benefit from equal access to holistic health (Click here for the candidate's Wa State proposal)
3. A third executive order on teaching and implemeting integrative longevity medicine as soon as possible. Being "elderly" does not equate to being "sick". (See the Vilcambans, Hunza and other centenarians villages where there are few if any chronic diseases). Sickness is a result of not paying attention, of violating lifestyle medicine's principles. The normal path to "death" is for one's soul to leave Planet Earth when one is ready from a vibrational standpoint, via the expiration action mechanism.
Jeanne Calmant was the French woman who died at 126 years old, the oldest recorded death in the World. In addition to genes, lifestyle and mind-set are essential. The French may have information and techniques we can use. A U.S Ambassador to France should focus on these issues as well. .
By advocating before the State Legislature and the US Congress as many as possible of the 38 public health measures outlined in my gubernatorial WA State Action Plan's platform, we would give American back their health and vitality (Click here for some of those measures).
If these proposals were implemented, chronic diseases and acute pain rate in the U.S. could be reduced by half in four years and there would also be less urgency in establishing long term care services for the elderly and persons with disabilities, if only because holistic health would bestow upon the majority of Americans health and resiliency. In addition, thanks to the implementation of the Action Plan's detox and holistic health measures, there would be substantial savings for all parties.
Any American or Foreign public policy on the economy and on peace building will be vain unless and until the People benefit from equal access to holistic health. If only because chronic diseases and our "sickness system" drain one of seven U.S dollars, because of which the State's public finance and the People's hard earned savings and moral are in jeopardy. Indeed, and alas, medical bills continue to be one of the first causes to bankrupcies and one of the first causes to foreclosures, (click here to examine the evidence).
"Hundreds of thousands of Americans file for personal bankruptcy each year because of medical bills - even though they have health insurance, according to a new study by Harvard University legal and medical researchers". NEW YORK TIMES (Feb 2 2005).
All possible Franco-American input and exchanges to better the health conditions in the two countries would thus be a progressive and enlightening foreign objective. In this light, President Obama did write that he would:
"Promote international efforts to develop new diagnostics, vaccines, and medicines that will be available and affordable in all parts of the world. " (The President's Agenda).
And by "new (...) medicines" it can be construed that some of these new medicines will be based on holistic, integrative and innovative Science.
I am presently working on a concrete Franco-American Diplomatic plan of action to contribute in finding solutions to these challenges. Meanwhile, please see my gubernatorial efforts in this realm, notably via three fundamental freedoms, the ignorance of which destroys Nations life-blood.
1. First, freedom from chronic chemical toxicity, chronic diseases and chronic destructive stress.
3. Third, Freedom from industrial additive-rich tobacco.
"Hitler's death camps used cigarettes' major toxic chemicals, carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide (the Nazis called the latter Zyklon-B) to kill". (Robert J. Lifton's The Nazi Doctors (N.Y.: Harper-Collins Publishers, 1986), pp 32, 71-72, 143, 157-162, 170, 290, 405, 453-454, 462 and 493).
Speaking of which, according to the World Health Organization, worldwide, out of 5.8 billion people, there are 1.1 billion smokers. Over half of all regular cigarette smokers die prematurely with great pain and handicap because of the deleterious effects of industrial tobacco, to which so many additives and chemicals are added. Smoking cigarette tobacco kills over 5 millions tobacco consumers in the world each year. The People have paid and continue to pay a high price for the "special interest" Big Tobacco represents. In the United States, from 1995 to 2000, the tobacco industry poured tens of millions of dollars into political donation campaign pockets while the U. S. Social Security Administration and the American People paid many billions of dollars for tobacco related health costs. In addition, during these five years, some 2. 5 million Americans died of tobacco-related diseases and some 6.5 million teenagers-young adults became addicted (based on statistics of the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention). A few of the toxic elements therein:
“…acetaldehyde, arsenic, benzoapyrene, cadmium, coumarin, crotonaldehyde, chromium, ethylcar bamate, formaldehyde, hydrazine, lead, nickel and radioactive polonium, acetaldehyde, acrolein, ammonia, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulfide, methyl chloride, nitrogen dioxide.” (This data is from the Surgeon General report, 1964, p 60 and 1989, pp 86-7.).
Which produce excruciating painful and debilitating diseases like lung and pancreatic cancer, asthma, emphesyma and copd, cardio-vasular and immune impairment and dozens of other serious illnesses.
Any U.S ambassador to France who does not address major public health issues and this industrial tobacco massive suffering among not just the French and the Americans, but also among all of Humanity would not be historically responsible to the People's interest, nor to our Public Finances, let alone to our founding father's intent, nor to our President, nor to the State Department's Mission, nor to our Constitution.
“ We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America ”. (Preamble of the Federal Constitution).
Because my father and many other victims died from tobacco, i willingly engaged in a "responsibility actio popularis" legal marathon, from Seattle Courts all the way to the U.S Supreme Court and the Inter-American Human Rights Commission. One one of my arguments (international law, crime against Humanity complicity), attorney Hausner, the son of the former Israel Minister of Justice gave me his full support.
"Dear Christian....Coming back to the Nuremberg precedent that you mention: Indeed, some of the Crimes againt Humanity which were the subject matter of these cases were of purely an economic nature. You may read about it in the book "Justic in Jerusalem" by Robert E Conot (Harper & Row, 1963). Nowadays, crimes of economic nature are widespread and constitute a world pandemic. This, along with the international nature of the tobacco business where few conglogmerates are dictating a unisersal policy on tobacco, justify the treatment of the disaster through the tool of Crimes Against Humanity. (...) Nevertheless, as i said, the task is at arms lenghth, and your book may well be in important trigger in that direction" Amos Hausner (The son of the former Justice Minister of Israel).
Given the circumstances and the trillions of dollars of hardship cost from Industrial tobacco, i need to copy-past an excerpt of the back-cover of my tobacco and the law book so as to argue a last public health point in Franco-American relations.
" The petitioner’s father died from a Pall Mall induced lung cancer. The petitioner, who has international duties under international humanitarian and human rights norms like all of us, phoned the prosecutor’s office, the FBI and ATF agencies to request the arrest of Brown Williamson Tobacco directors, invoking cigarette poisoning as the probable cause to the death. On the grounds that this product is legal, the officials refused. Shortly thereafter, petitioner called back and proposed the same arrest but extending the arrest to law makers, based on the international crime against humanity legal theory, a legal foundation that incorporates state and individual responsibility and which was used to prosecute criminals and law makers who massively gazed and poisoned civilians during the Second World War (Cf. Nuremberg Trial 6 FRD 69 (1946). Request Denied. Again. Unsatisfied with these denials on September 11, 2001, the petitioner from Paris France faxed Brown William Tobacco via the ABC process server an amended complaint alleging not only the classical products liability causes of action, but also, in the name of Humanity, the very same Crime against humanity which was invoked in Nuremberg, arguing that all American Courts can assert universal jurisdiction to prosecute this hideous crime against life and all the more so that Executive and Congressional complacency and duplicity contribute to the promotion of mass tobacco poisoning which extinguishes over five millions lives each year in the world. Question put to the US Supreme Court: The same one which will be put to the United Nations’ human rights committee which oversees the respect of the International civil and political human rights Pact which the US Senate ratified:
In this perspective, i would propose to the Obama foreign policy Team that we convince the Sarkozy Governement in general and Foreign Minister Dr Bernard Kouchner (M.D.) to fully collaborate with us to launch a massive "tobacco-cessation" education program in both the U.S and Europe (for starts), whose impact would be unprecedented. There can not be any substantial improvement in our economy as long as we do not toil in public health. Governor Grégoire and her Legislature have recently (Jan 25th) decided to grant additional licenses to alcohol stores in order to make up the loss of State revenue from the recession. Alas. There are other ways to increase cash-flow that to spur addition public health problems which in the long run destroy cash-flow. And "heim" (life) in the process. As my legal and book actions show, I am motivated to unprecedentedly contribute in solving this challenge with France and Europe.
6. The consolidation of bilateral relations between France and the United States in tourism, education, student exchange and cultural policies
"Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness" George Washington (1796). "Peace begins in the minds of men" (UNESCO). "Win the Battle of Ideas: Defeat al Qaeda in the battle of ideas by returning to an American foreign policy consistent with America's traditional values, and work with moderates within the Islamic world to counter al Qaeda propaganda. Establish a $2 billion Global Education Fund to work to eliminate the global education deficit and offer an alternative to extremist schools." (The President's agenda)
Education is an intrinsic part of the economy and development and at the heart of our internationally recognized human rights and duties. In France, education, including but not limited to higher university and adult continuing education is considered a constitutional right which must be equally accessible. Not a social privilege reserved for the well to do. Yet, in the U.S. between 2001 and 2010, 2 million academically qualified students will not go to college because they cannot afford it. To make matters worse, in the US, six million middle and high school students read significantly below their grade level. Americans 15 years old rank 28th out of 40 countries in mathematics and 19th out of 40 countries in science. According to a Newsweek article dated July 17, 2008, Education wise, the United States ranks 25 of the 30 of the major Democracies in the world. African American and Latino students are significantly less likely to graduate than white students. The average graduate leaves college with over $19,000 in debt and for certain studies, like law and medicine, many students are indebted well beyond 100,000 dollars.
For our basic rights to be long-lasting and decisive in the renewal of the Nation, the People need to benefit from the equal and affordable access to relevant knowledge in the following skills.
(a) Internationally recognized human rights and duty law in conjunction with the basics of American civil rights law and a general 101 introduction to law.
(b) Science-based nutrition and toxic free lifestyle education (which includes introduction courses to some of the hard sciences like physics, biology and chemistry).
(c) Holistic healthcare techniques including psychological counseling.
(d) Sustainability and eco-development sciences, including, but not limited to the teaching of clean renewable energies, eco construction, alternative transportation systems and organic agriculture techniques.
(e) Basic computer and internet training, that which constitutes the cultural and education "equalizer" of modern times.
(f) Methodology on learning and research skills. (There should be as much emphasis on left brain development as on right brain development, meaning art, creative imagination and intuitive knowledge should be balanced with critical thinking, verbal communication skills and achievement).
(g) Meditation & breathing techniques, holistic & health maintaining exercises, sun breaks, music and art classes.
A U.S ambassador to France, in the name of President Obama (if he wills it of course) can contribute by encouraging both the U.S and France to benefit from their research promotion and mutual experiences in these pedagogical fields and help their Peoples to ensure the satisfaction of their basic needs, that which would significantly reduce sickness, legal conflicts and social entropy in our communities while promoting development, (including, but not limited to financial stability), sustainability and the renewal of the American Republic and Peace among Nations. As the UNESCO Constitution provides in its Preamble: "Peace beings in the minds of men". This ideal is central to any Republic worthy of legal existence and international recognition.
Franco and Euro American cultural and education cooperation in this field (like with the Erasmus European cultural exchange system) would contribute in bettering American Education and in ensuring a more meaningful access to higher education and relevant skills. And this goal would be in compliance with President Obama's agenda.
" Expand research initiatives at American colleges and universities. Provide new research grants to the most outstanding early-career researchers in the country (...) Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe federally funded scientific research should play an important role in advancing science and technology in the classroom and in the lab." (President Obama's agenda)
I am presently working on a concrete Franco-American Diplomatic plan of action to contribute in finding solutions to these challenges. Meanwhile, please see my gubernatorial efforts in this realm, notably via the following freedom: Freedom from ignorance, mis-education and alienation.
7. The consolidation of bilateral Franco-American relations on Justice
" Expand our foreign service, and develop the capacity of our civilian aid workers to work alongside the military. Thwarting terrorist networks requires international partnerships in military, intelligence, law enforcement, financial transactions, border controls, and transportation security." (The President's Agenda) " The vibrancy of our Democracy depends upon our willingness to ensure that the fullest range of voices and interests is represented and heard. This is what the fight for equal justice is all about." (Hon. Robert F. Utter, Retired Justice, Washington State Supreme Court)
In addition to jurisdictionnal issues, to the world trade court, private international law, to the international criminal jurisdiction, to international travel and interpol or security issues, there is also the question of the way each People is treated. Violations of fundamental human rights in France had been a foreign policy question when torture was practiced during the Algerian war, inter alia. In the same way, when the U.S disrespects international norms, France has also criticized the United States' government. By focusing on rendering full justice at home then, both Governments' relations would necessarily improve.
There is one issue that has been neglected and which remains at the heart of Democracy, at the core of American revival, and that is the fact that most Americans do not benefit from their constitutional right to enjoy equal and meaningful access to civil justice. As stated the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) President Stanley A. Bastian regarding this issue (and this assessment also applies for the entire Nation) :
"This case highlights the need to greatly expand access to civil legal services in Washington, particularly when basic human needs are at stake such as in child custody disputes. Every day, people around the state appear in court without legal representation. And they often do so by necessity, rather than choice. Those individuals are also often unable to effectively present their cases in a court. Access to the justice system is a fundamental right, and no person should be denied access simply because they are poor. The WSBA will continue to work with the Legislature to expand access to our court system in Washington."
To this end, how can a U.S ambassador to France contribute ?
In most of Europe and in France, all have equal and meaningful access to the Courts, by law. This constitutional right is central to any Democratic restoration. The present interpretation of our Constitutions in this matter is self-serving to special interests whose powerholders have no class interests in enboldening and strengthening the working class, the modest masses. Even the more enlightened members of the US Supreme Court confirmed what our "equal protection of the laws" norm implies:
“…We have recognized that the promise of equal justice for all would be an empty phrase for the poor, if the ability to obtain judicial relief were made to turn on the length of a person's purse. It is true that these cases have dealt with criminal proceedings. But the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment is not limited to criminal prosecutions. Its protections extend as well to civil matters". 351 US 12, 76 S.Ct. 585, 100 L.Ed. 891 (1956). (Opinion written by Supreme Court Justices Black and Renquist).
Moreover, the Preamble of the Federal Constitution inserts the obligation "establish Justice" before any other priority and the framers did not intend that Justice was reserved to only those who could pay 200 to 300 dollars an hour of attorney fees in complex tort or other civil law actions which can take multiple hundreds of hours before final determination is rendred.
In many other advanced democracies, and in particular in France, this civil versus criminal legal aid discrimination is not accepted. The European Human rights Court has consecrated this fundamental right enshrined in Europe’s Constitutional bedrock erga omnes (for all). Incorporated within the fundamental rights Charter of the European Union, article 47 provides in pertinent part:
«Legal aid is accorded to all who do not dispose of sufficient resources, if this aid is necessary to guarantee an effective access to justice».
Almost all of the International Community's other advanced Democracies have upheld the "equal access to the civil courts" freedom, based on the fundamental principle of "equality of arms" and have thus provided public expense to all who could not afford an attorney, including all non frivolous civil cases (Click here to see the comparative "access to civil justice" results in different countries).
“One of the basic tenets of municipal and international justice is the concept of equality of arms, defined by the European Court of Human Rights as ‘a reasonable opportunity of presenting the case to the court under conditions which do not place him in substantial disadvantages vis-à-vis his opponent” (European Court of Human rights: Kaufman v. Belgium, 1986).
If the rule is equal access to the pursuit of happiness and to Justice, then in the arena of freedom and dignity, the sardine and the shark can not be treated in the same manner
"Majestic is the equality principle of the law where it incriminates a homeless person sleeping under a bridge out of necessity in the same way the law incriminates a millionaire who would sleep under the same bridge". Anatole France
Canon 3 of the Judicial rules obliges Judges to be "fair" and to "hear" the parties, this canonic rule means that the Judge should treat the sardine and the shark via the "compensatory inequality" mechanism, a well-established public international law principle. Both the sardine and the shark have a different set of protective "arms", very unequal, therefore, the sardines needs extra protection from the State, represented by the Judge. If justice is to be done. Yet, Washington State's Supreme Court, like almost all of the other States of the Union obliges Judges to treat all parties the same. And there are no statutes to remedy this problem.
"...bound by the same rules of procedure and subsantive law as everyone else" (Bly v Henry, 28 Wn.App. 469, 471, 624, P.2d 717 (1980).
Thus, the weaker "sardine" who can not afford a "dolphin" attorney for its tort or family law case and who cannot get a public defender (reserved to "indigent sardines" who allegedly committed a crime) is face to face, in the arena of truth fighting, with an experienced and financially strong "shark". In the same way, financially weak parties who decide to act "pro se" (defending themselves) out of necessity often fail, given the complexity of the law, the expenses of deposition, transcripts and experts and the aggressiveness of law firms. Thus, deprived of the "weapons" of litigation, when the poor party gets his day in court, she or he necessarily "has a fool for a client". As many jurists believe.
Yet, if we are to interpret constitutional and canonic law as the French, we must admit that this inequality is a Bastille-like issue which violates Ethics Canons 3.4 and 3.5 and erodes the very core of the Constitution, the Republic, the "Spirit" of the Law. If only because equal access to justice based on the fundamental principles of "equality of arms" and "the equal protection of the laws" is at the core of a democratic Republic. .
In this perspective, a U.S Ambassador to France could not only further the foreign policy goals of the U.S and help France promote a greater respect on internationally recognized human rights and duties, but could act to better harmonize Justice questions between the two countries. As a result, the American People would better learn how French and European civil law and Justice work and be more emboldened to respectfully requests a redressing of this "no meaningful-access to civil Justice" grievance at home. As Justice is at the Heart of Democracy. Victimes of social injustice are devitalized, unmotivated to serve the Republic, the common good. And this also affects the "ensemble" including, but not limited to the economy. Thus, the United States would benefit from an Ambassador former public international law professor who could contribute in promoting creative audacity, international freshness and constitutional vigor in this realm. Any governmental plan of action that does not redress this constitutional wrong may not withstand the passage of time, even if the Law is effective on counter-terrorism.
"Establish a Shared Security Partnership Program overseas to invest $5 billion over three years to improve cooperation between U.S. and foreign intelligence and law enforcement agencies." (President's agenda)
In bilateral diplomatic relations, it may be necessary to use the instrument of the law to first focus on collective security and commerce issues. However, a wise leader ought not to forget the lessons of History in this realm, that the downfall of almost all imperial Republics and entities came from within, from the systemic violations of Justice and human rights. Not from an external threat. A small case in point is the diversion of competitive resources on behalf of counter-terrorism and not enough on the domestic front.
"The FBI was aware for years of "pervasive and growing" fraud in the mortgage industry that eventually contributed ot America's financial meltdown, but did not take definitive action to stop it. (...). But the agents with the expertise had been diverted to counterterrorism" (Seattle Post Intelligencer, front page, Jan.28, 2009)
I am presently working on a concrete Franco-American Diplomatic plan of action to contribute in finding solutions to these challenges. Meanwhile, please see my gubernatorial efforts in this realm, notably via the following freedom: Freedom from injustice and freedom from inaccessibility to the court system.
And please click here for a proposed executive order to help to catalyze change in this realm. And double click here to examine on of my gubernatorial campaign messages on this issue
8. Affordable housing for all Americans, French people and Planetarians via a cordial Franco-American entente and the creation of a new institution: sustainable eco villages and neighborhoods.
" The world has witnessed the rise and fall of monarchy, the rise and fall of dictatorship, the rise and fall of feudalism, the rise and fall of communism, and the rise of democracy; and now we are witnessing the fall of democracy... the theme of the evolution of life continues, sweeping away with it all that does not blossom into perfection. (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi)
Today is reminiscent of the massive unemployment waves of the Great Depression, (e.g. in January 2009, there were half of a million lay-offs) of the massive slums of the Hoovervilles on the 1930s, of the massive depreciation of homes (over 20 percent), the massive restriction of "demand". And "supply". During the dark times of the 1930s, economist Keynes convinced F.D.R to not abandon the People via a free for all, laissez-faire Smith-type of economy where the sharks get indigestion from eating too many defenseless sardines. That if Ricardo was not entirely right in his division of labor theory, he Keynes was completely wrong in his recommendations to infuse capital into the system, more regulation and intervention in Government and greater State assistance to the masses. Though today's macroeconomic circumstances are different from those of the 1930s, there are many symptoms which are alike, most of which are worsening public health and the People's ability to satisfy their basic needs. In this century, after over twenty years of delusional and self-serving "deregulation" and "laissez-faire" dogma, economist Nobel laureat Stilgitz (and Columbia University Professor) sums up the facts on this issue.
"The truth is most of the individual mistakes boil down to just one: a belief that markets are self-adjusting and that the role of government should be minimal. Looking back at that belief during hearings this fall on Capitol Hill, Alan Greenspan said out loud, "I have found a flaw." Congressman Henry Waxman pushed him, responding, "In other words, you found that your view of the world, your ideology, was not right; it was not working." "Absolutely, precisely," Greenspan said. The embrace by America - and much of the rest of the world - of this flawed economic philosophy made it inevitable that we would eventually arrive at the place we are today." http://www.truthout.org/121008R See also in www.christianforgovernor2008.com the link "booksrepublic.html", an analysis of four recent books on the economy (including from Galbraith's son) which also contribute in analyzing the economic situation.
In this perspective, the Government has attempted to "jump start" the economy with an Economic Recovery and Investment Plan to achieve a "normative critical mass" in the economy via different management financial tools the Obama experts are putting in place (and-or consolidating) such as low Federal Reserve interest rates to encourage loans, huge capital infusions (liquidity) in the credit and finance system (hundreds of billions of green dollars, the banks' oxygen lifeline), the creation of Authorities which will buy distressed (or "toxic") assets from banks, bolstering federal securities, generating strong stimuli to the private sector (business being the engine of mainstream growth), and creating some "safety nets" and humanitarian intervention to the more vulnerable sectors of American Society (including the housing sector).
However, we are still faced with increasing obstacles insofar as the meeting of the Nation's "basic needs" is concerned. American households are relunctant to borrow, even at low interest rates, banks are relunctant to lend, credit is getting scarse, people are getting scared, 401k old-age security is collapsing, the IMF (international monetary Fund) is not offering any credible solution, crime is increasing, as are poverty and unemployment, and confidence is eroding.
Thus, it is reasonable to envisage that the era of super-consumerism and vanity shopping (possibly the "last stage" of capitalism) is coming to an end. That the time is ripening for a "Civilization (or paradigm) Shift", if only because the last 10,000 years have repetitively shown us that mercantile and military civilizations can not indefinitely withstand the passage of time.
And that the time for the nurturing a holistic civilization based on sustainable villages and Reason may have arrived.
A U.S ambassador to France can be instrumental in that he or she can contribute to at least speak about holistic health and sustainability village structures as the best scientifically proven social organization which can meet human basic needs and boost dignity, the best protection during social and international crises.
Not only will this initiative help to build the Peace among Nations and restore franco-American deep friendship (from rurality and grassroots up), but it would greatly alleviate the present liberal economy from its inherent flaws, from its infernal claws. Moreover, this project is in consonance with President Obama's "neighborhood communities" project.
"Obama and Biden will create 20 Promise Neighborhoods in areas that have high levels of poverty and crime and low levels of student academic achievement in cities across the nation. The Promise Neighborhoods will be modeled after the Harlem Children's Zone, which provides an entire neighborhood with a full network of services from birth to college, including early childhood education, youth violence prevention efforts, and after-school activities".
From my understanding of Human evolution, the building of eco-villages and sustainable "enlightened" communities would be an interesting project to promote in France and Europe, if only because there have been (before Hitler's War) and continues to spread many thousands of these eco sustainable villages whose structures are a direct response to the economic crisis.
Ecovillages and sustainable settlements are human-scale, full-featured settlements in which human activities are integrated into the natural world with a low carbon imprint, in a way that is supportive of healthy human development, and which can be successfully continued into the indefinite future, notwithstanding man made and natural catastrophes.
In this realm, President Obama could propose via his French ambassador a pilot experimental eco village project where both Americans and French pioneers would build in the two countries at least one sustainable "neighborhood" holistic health eco village and monitor its progress in terms of the indicators constitutive of social happiness (lack of disease, art, joy, productivity, creativity, low carbon impact, relative self sufficiency etc). Please click here for a visual illustration of this sustainable eco village movement. And please click here for the Reasoning behind this project.
This measure could be organically tied to the measure on the building of human rights and duties light-house centers in all towns.
With the President's support and enthusiasm, a U.S ambassador to France could also spread the idea of a universal federation of eco communities as a way to mitigate poverty and militate in favor of prosperity and peace. In the same way that a human body has trillions of cells, all inter-connected, all in vibrational resonance, in the same way, all sustainable villages could eventually be federalized within a universal trans-frontier structure. Although we are far from this state of human affairs and it is up to grass root movements to configure this social phenomenon and despite the fact that the State system and the divisive forces therein still have much life to it, nothing forbids a cordial co-existence between State rivalries based on dependencies and intermediaries and eco villages based on autonomy, eco sustainability, the deep respect of human rights and duties and unity.
In this context, the very finality of the mercantile-scientific, industrial and military civilizations President Eisenhower strongly denounced before his departure is to enfeeble the People and keep them away from the ideal of "enlightened self sovereignty". To make them dependant, uncritical, diseased, addicted to devitalized foods, to prescribed drugs, to fear, television and routine. Unjust and arbitrary political systems feel less threatened by manipulated, dis-eased and stressed out citizens. Noam Chomsky may have identified one of its causes.
"Personally, I'm in favor of democracy, which means that the central institutions of society have to be under popular control. Now, under capitalism, we can't have democracy by definition. Capitalism is a system in which the central institutions of society are in principle under autocratic control. Thus, a corporation or an industry is, if we were to think of it in political terms, fascist; that is, it has tight control at the top and strict obedience has to be establishedat every level--there's little bargaining, a little give and take,but the line of authority is perfectly straightforward. Just as I'm opposed to political fascism, I'm opposed to economic fascism. I think that until the major institutions of society are under the popular control of participants and communities, it's pointless to talk about democracy." Noam Chomsky
This is why our best defense, our best argument against "controling" tyranny, diseases and vainty is to be healthy, educated and aware "communatarians". In this perspective, of all of what characterizes Spiritual & Holistic Civilizations, holistic health and eco-sustainability are the two common threads which weave human excellence and vital autonomy from coast to coast. An element of which is eco-construction. (Please click here for a review on this question).
"Obama and Biden will invest in rural small businesses and fight to expand high-speed Internet access. They will improve rural schools and attract more doctors to rural areas. And they will implement a bold climate change and energy independence plan that will revitalize rural America through new investments in renewable energy production, including wind, solar, and biofuel investments." (President's agenda)
What President Obama and Vice President Biden write reflects what is going on in terms of the development of the holistic health and sustainability Civilization.
“I'm in this race for the same reason that I fought for jobs for the jobless and hope for the hopeless on the streets of Chicago; for the same reason I fought for justice and equality as a civil rights lawyer; for the same reason that I fought for Illinois families for over a decade… That's why I'm running, Democrats -- to keep the American Dream alive for those who still hunger for opportunity, who still thirst for equality.” Barack Obama, Speech in Des Moines, IA
And once Americans are better aware of the European and French sustainable village movement, then it will be easier to help low income Americans adjust to these challenging times via the edification and consolidation of greater sustainable living.
A lifestyle which will significantly bring down medical bills, violence and costly anomia while increasing education, dignity and the peace among Nations.
Half of one billion dollars devoted to this project would suffice for this "proven method" of meeting one's basic needs.
" Obama and Biden will invest $1 billion over five years in transitional jobs and career pathway programs that implement proven methods of helping low-income Americans succeed in the workforce. (...) Obama and Biden will create a program to directly engage disadvantaged youth in energy efficiency opportunities to strengthen their communities, while also providing them with practical skills in this important high-growth career field." (The President's agenda).
And not only "yes we can" but "yes we are" happy to see that the President's Father came from such a small traditional village. In Kenya.
" As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more." President Obama (Inauguration, Jan 20th, 2009).
9. Bilateral Franco-American cooperation in Art and culture
" I don't think artists can avoid being political. Artists are the proverbial canaries in the coalmine. When we stop singing, it's a sure sign of repressive times ahead. (Theresa Bayer)...« Since the days of Revelation, in fact the same four corrupting errors have been made over and over again ; submission to faulty and unworthy authority, submission of what was customary to believe, submission to the prejudices of the mob and worst of all concealment of ignorance by a false show of un-held knowledge, for no better reason than pride. » Francis BACON (18th century British political philosopher
In politics, too often art and creativity have been neglected. Any political platform that is devoid of Art is not complete. By investing less in the country's or State's militaro-scientific-industrial complex and "special interest" complex and more in artistic and human rights and duties endeavors, peace and prosperity are durably built. If only because in Art, we are One. While in Science, we are not.
"Our nation's creativity has filled the world's libraries, museums, recital halls, movie houses, and marketplaces with works of genius. The arts embody the American spirit of self-definition. As the author of two best-selling books -- Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope -- Barack Obama uniquely appreciates the role and value of creative expression." (The President's Agenda)
In this sphere, more should be done to facilitate the development and exchange of Art between France and the United States. The institutionalization of a new U.S. Department of Art and Culture could be a reasonable starting point, if only to better deal with France's Culture Ministry, from a diplomatic standpoint. One which would be consistent with our founding father’s general political philosophy. And the emacipating flow of History.
I am presently working on a concrete Franco-American Diplomatic plan of action to contribute in finding solutions to these challenges. Meanwhile, please see my gubernatorial efforts in this realm, notably via the following freedom: Freedom from public negligence regarding the People's need toward artistic and spiritual expression. And also please see the Statue of Civic Responsiblity project, via a click here.
10. Bilateral Franco-American collaboration in the joint financing and building of a grand Statue of Civic Responsibility.
AS AMBASSADOR TO FRANCE, I, (CHRISTIAN, THE CANDIDATE) WOULD FIND FRENCH, EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN FINANCE TO BUILD A MAGNIFICENT STATUE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY WHICH WOULD COMPLETE AND POTENTIATE THE FRENCH GIFTED STATUE OF LIBERTY. THANKS TO WHICH TRANS-ATLANTIC RELATIONS WOULD BECOME THE FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE ENTIRE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. THEREBY USHERING IN A SPIRITUAL AND HOLISTICALLY SUSTAINABLE CIVILIZATION, THE SUBSTANCE OF WHICH WOULD BE BASED ON THE UNIVERSAL VALUES OF PRESIDENT OBAMA’S ACTION PLAN.
"There is only one art, whose sole criterion is the power, the authenticity, the revelatory insight, the courage and suggestiveness with which it seeks its truth. Thus, from the standpoint of the work and its worth it is irrelevant to which political ideas the artist as a citizen claims allegiance, which ideas he would like to serve with his work or whether he holds any such ideas at all. (Vaclav Havel)
My request to become the next US Ambassador to France and to work on improving the United States’ national interests and on World Peace (in conformity with the State Department’s mission statement and our founding father’s intent), is all the more animated by historic meaningfulness that I have not only campaigned in the 2008 gubernatorial race of Washington State on most of the Barack Obama themes, but also on new ones, including on the edification of a Statue of Civic Responsibility, a cherished and timely project, which could help to usher in and consolidate a holistic and spiritually sustainable civilization.
“Because I feel Washington State should be leading the Nation in promoting a Spiritual Civilization based on holistic medicine, alternative energy, affordable housing, relevant education, a dynamic economy, bio-diversity, world development and meaningful access to justice, I respectfully propose my “FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS” PLAN OF ACTION.” (Christian Pierre Joubert, Washington State’s Voters Pamphlet, primary election, August 19th, 2008).
To this end, equipped with the U.S. ambassador to France casquette, there is enough evidence to suggest that I could find joint financing and technical assistance in France (for sure) and most probably in Europe, in Asia, in Africa, in Latin America and in the U.S as well, finances that would be consecrated to the Edification of this grand Statue of Civic Responsibility which would herald President Obama’s and the American People's new era of responsibility.
" What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task" President Barack Obama, inauguration speech, Jan 20, 2009
Among other pieces of evidence, we have today’s popular French foreign affairs Minister, Bernard Kouchner, who enthusiastically supported my human rights effort when I worked at Gonzaga Law School.
"I received your documentation and letter relative to the creation of an international institute of human rights at Gonzaga law school. I give my moral support to this enterprise..." Dr Bernard Kouchner. Humanitarian and Health Minister of President Mitterand's French government and today’s French Foreign Minister under the Sarkozy Government).
As U.S. Ambassador to France (and with President Obama’s permission and Secretary of State Clinton’s consent), one of the first duties I would get done would be to request a meeting with Bernard Kouchner to see to what extent the Sarkozy Government CAN, (in the same way as the 19th century French Government DID), contribute financially and technically in the edification of this proposed Civic Responsibility Statue, whose time has come, a new "era" and "institutional" symbol which could be more powerful than all of the armies of the world.
Former international law professor and former Culture and Education Minister under the Mitterand Government Jack Lang. would also be an excellent contact to get this project under way When the goal was to find 250,000 dollars to build the Statue of Liberty in the 1880s, the French found astute methods, including using the performance arts in Paris. The U.S national endowment for the Arts could be business partner in this project.
“THEREFORE, as a Gift to the State, to the Nation and to the International Community, (and a source of additional tourism dollars to pay for the "affordable housing erga omnes" project), my final proposed executive order will be on the Edification of a Statue on the proposed Alki island close to Elliot Bay, to be facing the French gifted "Statue of Liberty", a Statue which will mobililize the volunteer and creative energies of all artists, architects, engineers and People of good and strong faith, a Statue which will be made with "green" bio-material and the most sophisticated laser, optical fiber and computer technology, a Statue which will shine in permanence like the Stars in Heaven, a Statue which has been missing for too long, a Statue which will complete the Queen of Human Liberty one in New York City, the one the terrorists missed, a Statue which will be called, the Washingtonian Statue of Humanity, the Statue of the King of human freedoms, the Statue of Human Civic Responsibility, the Statue-Throne of enlightened humanism, a Beacon which will remind us that our fundamental freedoms can only be guaranteed if we also exercise our basic duties. And this process starts with our Voting duties”.
(Written in July 2008, for the entire text and on the building modality, please see my website: http://www.christianforgovernor2008.com/statueproject.html).
For the remainder of this section of my candidacy, please click here.
Meanwhile, to examine the proposed modality on the concrete measures to build this Statue, please click here.
Tentative Conclusion
"Peace is not a passive nor definitive state, a kind of Dead Sea where the river of History goes to die. On the contrary, peace is a state of high human activity which mobilizes the highest functions of the human spirit. Peace requires a continuous creation of new values, new emotions, new ways of thinking. It is only at this price that our new institutions that peace requires can live. In a word, Peace is the highest and most arduous form of the Universal Revolution." (Madariaga, president of the "Thirteen", League of Nations)
To build the civic culture, we need to know our rights and duties as well as those of the State. A dynamic and cordial process in Franco-American diplomatic relations and in the Atlantic Aliance system could contribute in this endeavor. Moreover, this goal is consistent with the White House's Agenda.
“Obama and Biden will rebuild our alliances to meet the common challenges of the 21st century. America is strongest when we act alongside strong partners. Now is the time for a new era of international cooperation that strengthens old partnerships and builds new ones to confront the common challenges of the 21st century -- terrorism and nuclear weapons; climate change and poverty; genocide and disease.” (The President's agenda).
In addition to "culture" houses in most towns, there had been a project on "human rights" houses in all towns promoted by former Culture Minister Jack Lang. By promoting this idea, the next U.S ambassador to France could contribute in creating a vast movement thanks to which Governments would be encouraged to finance the building (with green technology) of "human rights and duties enlightenment centers" in their own countries, in all or most towns. This idea was promoted during my gubernatorial efforts and harvested enthusiasm. These centers could be enlivened with art, music, education on human rights and duties education, equal access to justice and civil law training workshops, minorities rights seminars and everything else that will help citizens to be free from the chains of ignorance, bureaucratic hassles and predatory abuse. (Please click here for this information).
"Obama and Biden will bring foreign policy decisions directly to the people by requiring their national security officials to have periodic national broadband town hall meetings to discuss foreign policy. Obama will personally deliver Your Weekly Address via webcast."
Thanks to the New Administration's resolve on building a transparent, accountable, connected and participative Democracy, we can now better hope that Americans, via ambassadors and American diplomats and hard working citizens, will have a way to inter-act with the Government on foreign policy goals, all of which are necessarily connected to national and domestic purposes. And in this realm the internet is central.
"Use cutting-edge technologies to create a new level of transparency, accountability, and participation for America's citizens". The President's agenda
Being animated more by scientific integrity than self serving ideology is a strength:
"Restore the basic principle that government decisions should be based on the best-available, scientifically-valid evidence and not on ideological predispositions." The President's agenda
Today, more than ever, in Europe, in the U.S, in the World, people are progressively realizing that "values", "attitudes", health and lifestyle (i.e. "general well being") are more important that wealth and materialism.
" A recent survey (Easton, 2006) found that 81% of the UK population agreed that the Government’s primary objective should be the creation of happiness not wealth. Earlier this year David Cameron, House Member Leader of the Opposition, put happiness firmly on the political agenda by arguing that “It’s time we admitted that there’s more to life than money, and it’s time we focused not just on GDP (gross domestic product), but on GWB – general well-being" (BBC, 2006).
We therefore can dare believe that the Peace among Nations will soon be a reality among the 16,000 "cultural Nations" of Planet Earth.
“They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up the sword against other nations, and they will no longer train for war.” (Isaiah 2:4)
Precision: Tobacco companies are now marketing in Africa by giving industrial cigarettes to Africans for free. Once they are hooked, they pay. And the satisfaction of their basic needs worsen.
To briefly conclude this section, in the face of President Obama’s Freedom Agenda, the French have the potential and the means to be again grateful and instrumental insofar as partially financing a Civic Responsibility Statue, as they did with the Statue of Liberty. Spreading the universal message of human rights and duties feeds the development of Democracy, Sustainability and invites a Spiritual and Holistic Civilization based on genuine public health and "eternal" values.
Let us not forget that there is a special bond between the two Republics, France and the U.S. Without Rochambeau, Lafayette, French weapons and finances, Yorktown would have led to a British massacre of the Virgian peasants who bravely fought under the robust General Washington. Without the French philosophes' ideas and convictions, Condorcet, Seyès, Grégoire, Rousseau, Didérot, Voltaire, Montesquieu (responsible for having decisively convinced our constitutionalists to bestow upon our Republic three inter-connected branches of Government), Tocqueville (among many others), American constitutional vigor would not have been as formidable. Without the universal messages from Washington D.C.'s 18th century French city planer (L'Enfant), from Bartholdi (Statue of Liberty) and so much more, America's soul would have been less universal, less beacon-like. In a similar vein, without American pragmatism, American values of scientific integrity, American friendship and courage, American technological savoir-faire, American devotion in last centuries wars on behalf of French Democracy and Liberty, France would not been who she is today.
Let us start then from the starting point. From our common "eternal values". Let us build a more enlightened World. Let us dare to believe that "The birthday of a new World is at hand. " A French born and culture U.S ambassador to France can significantly help.
At least, this is the humble proposal.
To contribute in the redressing of our broken Republic, thanks to my experience, originality, energy, attitude and "iron will".
The Editor in Chief of BORDEAUX'S central newspaper, the "Sud Ouest" (covering all of the South West of France), Roger Archeritéguy commenting of Joubert's French reporting and editorial skills and his "iron will to serve".
" In addition, his courtesy, good education and his iron will to serve make his employment very agreeable".