Nota Bene 6

Here we go again. More topics that I don't have time to develop so they're up for grabs. The formats vary as do my moods. As usual, I'll offer four topics for you to consider or write about. It's up to you.

Enjoy.

===================================

Take My Memo, Please

The nominal purpose of a memo is to convey information to the recipient, but there are many other explanations for using this kind of communication – and they are sometimes the real reason for its use. It may be intended to demonstrate your thoroughness. Sometimes it is meant as a cover should a problem develop in the future; sometimes it is aimed at those “copied” on it – to discredit or otherwise inform on the recipient. Or it may be intended to show someone that (s)he is “in the loop.”

Schadenfreude and its variants

I told you so:
Results when your advice is followed
If success – That's what happens if you do it my way
If failure – Would have been worse if you hadn't done it my way
or
Results when someone else's advice is followed
If failure – That's what happens if you don't do it my way
If success – Could have been better if you had done it my way
Hoping for problems, failure, by someone else
Hoping for problem in order to have disaster that will make it impossible not to take action.

The result of war
We're told:

1. Israel caused civilian deaths
2. Israel has no right to land

3. Israel must let in migrants and descendants of those who fled because of war

but

wiseGEEK quotes UN on high frequency of civilian deaths in all wars, and “fog of war” are the more likely reasons for collateral deaths. According to UN the percentage of civilian deaths since 1990 is over 90%of all deaths.  No matter how you add in deaths in fact caused by the Palestinians, the total is less than this.

According to President Obama, collateral deaths may occur during the fog of war. He speaks only of deaths of innocent Americans for which our military is responsible when the enemy is targeted. There is no mention of, nor regret for, the civilians we have killed

Britain divided Ottoman Empire as it saw fit and issued the Balfour Resolution. Did it have the right to do either?
Could Britain invent Transjordan?  How did "Churchill's Sneeze" affect the outcome?
Britain refused to let Jews into Palestine, apparently in the hope that the territory would eventually be captured by the Arabs.
“Innocent civilians” vs innocent participants – Are conscripted or otherwise unwilling soldiers following orders not innocent?
Guilty: A “guilty” party may be venal, stupid, or simply inept, as long as it is the enemy.

Ours may make mistakes while using “just” methods.

Registry of sex offenders

Should there be any registry?
Why just sex offenders?
Where does prudence end and prejudice begin?

Are you interested in knowing that a murderer bought the house next door?

Perhaps someone who was convicted of selling pornography lives down the block
A convicted robber has applied for a job in your firm
An adulterer lives nearby
A narcotics dealer sends his children to the same school as yours
Someone with different standards or a different religion is employed by a religious school

Responsibility (and/or wisdom) of organizations not involved in law enforcement?

Sports team – Is the individual a bad example for children?
School – Should a school bar employment of a kidnaper who has served his sentence?
Boy Scouts – homosexual who has committed no crime
Law firm – previously disbarred attorney
Religious organization – accused child molester
Business – never convicted person believed to be white color criminal
Medical office – admitted drug user

Should we assume the guilt of an individual accused (but either not convicted or completely cleared) of rape or any other crime?

===================================

That's all for now.