Solomon's Private File #199
These stories about Stephen and Solomon take place starting in
1950's. Stephen wrote about his life in letters to a penpal, and then
in a secure blog, in case he lost his memory again, in the master
computer in his school for gifted students, which he started attending
in 2016 in a new incarnation, until his death. Now his son Solomon is
attending the same school, and is writing in his own secure blog for
his future incarnations.
All characters are fictitious, even if some of them might have names
that belong to some actual people, or act like people we know.
Solomon is 24 in this story, in the Summer of 2050.
Solomon's Private File #199 "Mexico, Kurdistan, China, and Japan"
START Page
Kam did make it happen. I was proclaimed a Buddhist Lama and a
Buddha. Fortunately for me, the other major religions didn't try to
push anything more on me.
A company bought mining rights in the Yucatan in Southern Mexico. I
ported to their corporate office in Belgium, and asked to see the CEO.
I was led to his office. After greetings, I said, "I'm here about your
site in Yucatan. Not your best people there." He said, "New hires. We
need to have them gain in experience." I said, "I think you might first
want them to survive." He said, "What do you mean?" I said, "A lot of
the ground there is porous limestone, riddled with sink holes and
extensive cave networks." He said, "We were informed of that." I said,
"But your people refuse to believe the scale of it, and the danger to
them, to the people who live there, and the wildlife. Here's something
of a demonstration." I ported in a very large chunk of clear plastic
that was drilled through with a lot of worm and mole holes and linked
caverns, with some large ones leading to the surface. Most were filled
slammed my hand down on a pool of water near the surface, and jets of
it shot out of a lot of other holes, all over the room, staining
everything. I said to his astonishment, "Don't worry. I'll clean it up
before I leave. This is just the simple hydraulic effect. Rock
fractures and subsidence will cause even more damage. If you limit your
work to just earth moving excavation, you will lose equipment and
people in creating new large sinkholes for them to fall into, while
yelling bad words in surprise."
I said, "I can't legally stop you, but I WILL make all this public,
and most seriously to the Mexican government, if it isn't stopped. The
land is too unstable and fragile to be mined, even if the safety issue
should check into that." He said, "I'm beginning the think we have made
a mistake." I said, "More than you know. I think I know what you're
thinking. Could have been intentional." He said, "Yes, I had that
thought." I said, "Still, you are not entirely blameless. Greed can do
that." He said, "True. I must apologize for us. We might not have told
the Mexican government all we had intended." I said, "Fortunate for you
that you said it before I did. I lost a close friend in Mexico in a
commercial er, misfortune. I should have prevented it. I think you can
see why I might feel a little extra protective of what happens in that
country, caused by people who are not of them." He said, "I do. I will
have them stop operations immediately." I said, "Don't expect a refund
from the authorities." He said, "I wouldn't ask. May I have a recording
of your impressive demonstration?" I said, "Yes. My monitors er,
enjoyed it, and are already showing it around." He laughed.
I cleaned it all up, and said, "Here's the file, and here's a crystal
of this meeting that will only work for you. Until they leave, no
explosions will happen." He said, "Thank you very much! You saved us
and them from very serious trouble, including loss of life." I said,
"You're welcome. A little more of the saving of yourselves, can reduce
the need for others to do it for you. Having and using good ethics
isn't the best way to live, for no reason. It's because it actually
works out better in the long term, for all." I offered to hug, and he
came into my arms, streaming tears.
I asked to see the President of Mexico. After greetings, I said, "I
was in an action that involves your country. No injuries or damage. I
stopped what would have happened. I think it doesn't need to be made
public, because some in your government were a little, er, well, not at
their best, regarding this." He chuckled and said, "Are you really
Solomon, the same person who told assassins not to kill politicians, so
we can have people to blame for our troubles? So diplomatic now?" I
grinned and said, "I'm not a child now. People made allowances for that
then. Now that I'm an adult, and official in some religions, I can't
say what I would like very much to say. Such as, your officials should
schedule their sleep time at home, for more convenience." Chuckles. I
gave him a crystal. He said, "He is correct. Impressive demonstration!
say anything. Your feelings tell me all." We hugged with love.
By appointment, I shifted to an office at Yale. I said, "It's about
time we met. My father worked with your predecessor, with time research
and archeology." He said, "Solomon! I'm glad to meet you at last! If I
look hungry, I think you can understand why. You don't see people just
for social reasons." I said, "Maybe I should start doing that just to
throw people off." He said, "Will you?" I said, "Prior announcement
would tend to interfere with the desired result." He said, "True. What
can I do for you?" I told him about the trouble in Mexico. He said, "Is
this leading up to uncovering a new major find?" I said, "You couldn't
play along?" Chuckles. I said, "Here's the site layout." I projected
the illusion. I handed him some files and crystals and said, "All the
info. It should be preserved. Tell the government I said I want you on
it, soonest, before somebody else ruins the er, ruins." He said, "I'll
do it! Thank you very much!" I said, "You're welcome. Just helping
out." We hugged. A mini raptor dinosaur illusion peeked out from behind
me, startling the professor. I said to it, "Wave goodbye to the good
professor now." It did, and I said, "Now come, Fido." It leapt into my
arms. I turned and winked at the man, and shifted out while he was
laughing.
I shifted to a meeting of Kurds. I said, "May I enter and speak with
you?" The leader didn't want me to, but his people clearly did, so he
said, "Please." We sat. I said, "Some of you want to join with the
other Kurds in political actions, and some do not. What are the reasons
for each position?" They were what I expected. I said, "So, the major
reason to join them is adding more power to the group efforts, which
you actually agree with. The reason to not join is to feel more
powerful being alone. It seems to me that one is real, and one is just
a feeling, and therefor not real. Let us look at who is supporting the
different positions. As I see it, most people would like to join. The
people who don't want to, are the leaders, and the few they have
convinced to agree with them. Is this correct?" Some didn't want to
admit it, but most said it was true. I said, "Will any here tell us why
the leaders want to be separate?" One ventured, "So we do what they
think is best?" I said, "Best for who?" That woke some of them up. A
lot of them nodded. I said, "The biggest goat in the herd, isn't so big
in the eyes of many, in the marketplace with the other herds there, and
their biggest. But of course, people aren't goats, so we shouldn't have
that kind of thing among us, true? Well, just try to get milk out of
any of you, and see what happens." They laughed, even the leaders.
I stood and bowed, and said, "I have said all I came to say. I see
some desire." I opened my arms, and they came to me for hugs. Then I
said, "I give more to larger groups." I grinned at them, and shifted
out. Shortly thereafter, they had a new leader. Daren said in my mind,
"Don't tell me you didn't plan the whole thing!" I said, "Alright."
Rude noise. I said, "I'm still a Situation Manager in some things, yes.
Happy now?" He said, "But not deliriously." Chuckles.
The PM of Japan asked to meet with me and Ichi. I shifted to his to
his office, and Ichi ported in. We did some very polite things, and
then the PM said, "We have territory ownership disputes with China." I
said, "With others, you could form a large club." He tried not to
smile, and said, "True. However with one, one of our citizens, a
powerful man, owns it. It's been in his family for generations. China
has been threatening him with military action. We are in a very
difficult position in defending private ownership, where if it were not
owned, we could just let them have the useless thing." I said, "It has
some improvements. That represents an investment. Would he sell it if
the price were er, persuasive?" He said, "He refuses to consider it.
His mother has a garden there." I said, "What do you need me for in
this?" He said, "I was hoping you could tell me what you could do." I
just grinned. Ichi poked me. PM said, "I see. When you are asked to
help, you require specifics. Arbitration?" I said, "I would do that, if
the Chinese agree, and you both agree to have my decision binding on
you both." Ichi said to me, "Divide in half?" I said, "It's not a
baby!" The PM knew what we meant, and smiled.
I said, "I should warn you that I must be fair in all I do." He said,
"So there is a risk we might lose it?" I said, "Exactly. And I won't
tell you how strong your case is until I hear it stated. For
arbitration, I will be as a judge hearing evidence in a trial. I've
done this kind of thing before." Ichi said, "Including eliciting your
own er, evidence?" I said, "Hey, I've done more than the baby thing,
you know." Chuckles. PM said, "I am confident that you will uphold
civil property rights. I request arbitration."
By appointment, I shifted to the office of the President of China.
After polite things, I said, "Island disputes with Japan. Necessary?"
He said, "To our pride, yes." I said, "To the pride of your government
that you can show something falsely positive you are doing for the
people, who would not care at all, if you didn't try to make them
care." He grinned and said, "Yes." I said, "One in dispute is owned
privately. That puts Japan in a difficult position. They must defend
the rights of their citizen and their honor, even though they don't
feel all that positive about that." He said, "I see. And your
position?" I said, "Sitting. Oh, I see you want more. They asked for my
help. To my silence, they offered arbitration. I warned them I would
have to be fair, and wouldn't do it unless both sides would be bound by
my decision." He said, "What are our chances?" I grinned and said, "He
wanted to know that, and received the same answer you will. I won't
know until all the evidence is presented to me, as I will act like a
judge in this." He said, "For this one island only?" I said, "Yes, and
only because a civilian is involved. He is the only person in this who
actually has a use for the island, slight as it is, and will represent
his side, along with the two governments." He said, "I agree." I said,
"I have to ask. Is it only because I will be doing it?" He grinned and
said, "Even if we lose it, yes, it would be worth that to have you
involved." I said, "Useful justification to get your people to agree to
do it." He said, "I knew you would see that." I said, "Going to tell
them the proceedings will be made public?" He said with a bigger grin,
"Absolutely not!" I said, "You know it will have to be, or the decision
will never be accepted."
He said, "Yes." I said, "If it goes against you, it will cast in
doubt on your other claims of this nature." He said, "We are private?"
I said, "From the world, yes. From my monitors no, but they won't
tell." He said, "Good. Our nationalism has gone too far. The whole
region has become tense and unstable, for almost no gain for us. Our
pride won't let us stop, now that we have started. With this, we may be
able to." I said, "You want to lose?" He covered his mouth. I said, "My
previously high respect for you has significantly increased." He had
some tears. I said, "Please let me know when your people are ready, and
we'll schedule it." We hugged with love.
I called the PM of Japan and said, "China agrees to binding
arbitration for this one island only. When your team is ready, which
should include the owner and his mother, please let me know so we can
schedule it." He said, "Good. Where will it be held?" I said, "I don't
know yet. Somewhere in Asia, in a neutral country." He said, "That
would be difficult to find." I said, "Mongolia?" He said, "Best you
could get. Oh! I think I see something!" I said, "Too smart for me.
Best you keep that to yourself." He laughed and said, "I will. Thank
you!"
Ichi said to me, "I think I see it, too. Good move." By appointment,
I shifted to meet with the PM of Mongolia. After polite things, I said,
"I am here to ask you to host an arbitration between nations, semi
privately. It will go public after the fact." He said with interest,
"Which nations and dispute?" I said, "China and Japan, and a privately
owned island." He said, "Do you have a specific reason for choosing our
country for this honor?" I said, "Yes. Many. It should be in North
Asia. It should be in a RELATIVELY neutral country." He grinned. I
said, "And who might want some recognition for hosting it. There are
other reasons which should remain unspoken, and a personal reason." He
said, "The personal?" I said, "To honor my father, who was one of you."
He said, "The other reasons are very good, but just that one would have
convinced any of us. I know you knew that, and why it was last. I have
to admire you for that. Please tell us the date and time when you want
it, and we WILL host it!" We hugged with love.
In a meeting room in the government center of Mongolia, I said in
English, "I will be speaking in English for the record, as it is the
common language between us. All involved here today have been made
proficient in it. We are in the capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, who's
government has graciously offered to host this function, and is
represented here by the Prime Minister. I am Solomon, and I have been
asked to arbitrate a disagreement between the nations of China and
Japan, regarding an island that is claimed by both nations, that is
privately owned by a citizen of Japan. The two nations have agreed to
accept my decision as binding on them for all time. I will hear
testimony and accept evidence that is presented by all concerned, but
my consideration is not limited to that. If the representatives of the
two countries accept and agree to this, please so state." They did. I
said, "If all here agree to tell only the truth as they know it, please
all state that, in order." I called them out, and they did.
I said, "I will not be influenced by your smile, Madam, but I do
appreciate it." More smiles. I said, "Except for legal issues,
formality is not required. Now about the law. I will be using the legal
principles of equal justice and fair application. Any legal principles
I am requested to consider, should be considered to be equally
applicable to all parties, even those not present, because what we do
here today may be used in other proceedings in the future. The owner of
the island will present his case first. Mr Chin, I note your objection.
The owner has the only position that stands to have an actual financial
loss in this proceeding, therefore he should speak first. I see. Well,
I did say I would be fair. What that is, can only be my opinion." Nods.
Daren said in my mind, "Ha!"
The owner, through his lawyer, presented his case well, with the
history of the purchase and the improvements he made. I said, "If you
were asked to sell it, would you do that, if the price were acceptable?
The woman said, "Never!" I said to her with a smile, "Never is a very
long time." She smiled back and said, "Yes it is. I see what you mean.
I will not live forever, but my family will." I said, "Would fifty
billion yen change your mind?" Her eyes almost popped out of her head.
Then she looked conflicted. Her son looked nervous. She said, "Is that
possible?" I said, "China is not just rich in culture." She thought
some more, and said, "I must say no. But thank you for the offer." She
bowed to the doubly surprised Chinese delegation. I said to both
countries, "Do you still want to proceed?" After some indecision in the
Chinese side, they both said they did.
I said to the Chinese, "Your turn." He did well, in presenting the
history of the island as he knew it, but the justification was of prior
ownership, only. Then it was the turn of the Japanese. They did well in
support of their claim, and part of that was by right of conquest,
along with historical prior claims and ownership. I said to the
Chinese, "You claim that because you believe that you have owned this
island in the past, that you always own it. Is this correct?" He said,
"It is." I said, "Do you maintain that this is a valid legal concept?"
He said, "That is our position." I said, "I require a yes or no answer
to my question, which is the sole basis of your case. Do you believe
that prior ownership, above all other claims, is a valid legal
principle for a nation to claim land that is in dispute, or that is no
longer in their possession? Please be mindful of what country we are in
now." His eyes opened wide in surprise, and he sweated almost rivers.
He conferred with his associates. I said, "Would you like to have a
separate room for your consultation, and boxing gloves?" Even they had
to chuckle a little.
Another lawyer on the team said, "We have another position. Japan
gained the island in a war that they lost." I said, "The team from
Japan will now have the opportunity to respond." One said, "We owned
the island before the war." I said, "I can only accept that argument
when the date of the start of the war is agreed upon by both parties,
and there are documents that support that prior ownership." They were
unable to do that. I said, "So, that argument is not usable." Anything
else?" They didn't have anything. I said to the Chinese, "Is it the
position of your government that Japan owned the island by right of
capture in war, and that the island was returned to you because Japan
lost the war?" He said, trying to hold back expressions of triumph,
"Yes it is." I said, "To whom did Japan lose the war?" He felt sick
again, and said, "America." I said, "America accepted the total
unconditional surrender of Japan. Therefore, at that time, all
territories of Japan, including all they captured in battle, became the
property of America. There is no record that America awarded the island
to China, and after Japan was freed, no record that Japan returned the
island to China. The only useful argument you still have, of those you
have presented, you have not yet validated. Do you believe that prior
ownership, above all other claims, is a valid legal principle for a
nation to claim land that is in dispute, or that is no longer in their
possession?" Looking very nervous, he said, "May I make a call?" I
said, "Sure, if you want to hear some really bad words." Even he had to
laugh. The Mongolian PM laughed the loudest. I said, "In fair
disclosure, you might want to remind who you call, that Tibet was
claimed and taken that way, and what eventually almost happened to your
country after that." He nodded. He went out to make the call.
I said, "I think this is going to cause what is known as the hot
potato problem. Imagine a circle of people trying to hold onto
something that is too hot to hold for longer than a second, tossing it
to another in desperation. Eventually the last person who has it, must
do something with it. But all those prior burned hands will remember
that for a long time." Chuckles. The woman asked me, "Do you think that
others will not want you to do this for them?" I said, "I don't know,
but it could be so. People say they want to be treated fairly, but what
they really want is what they want, which usually is more than what
they deserve, and they know it. Well, most of the time, if they have
any degree of self honesty." She said, "Even we who own the island?" I
said, "I'm sorry, but yes. You would have your country go to war to
defend your ownership, seriously endangering people's lives." She said,
"Oh!" I nodded. I said, "In most disputes, there is fault on all sides.
In judging, one must decide with what is determined to be the truth,
according to the rule of laws that govern it. That usually results in
what is best for all, and for the future. Well, that is the ideal, and
subject to the complexities of the case, the skills of the presenters,
and the rule of law."
The Chinese lawyer walked in. I said to him, "Well, you still have
your other ear you can hear with." He grinned and said, "In good
fortune, yes. We will not validate that remaining legal position for
our claim, and we will accept your judgment on this issue as we had
pledged. Will you tell me if the choice of this country to host this,
was to help us to see what we should do?" I told him the reasons I had
given the PM, who verified them. I said, "In truth, would there be ANY
country on Earth who would be completely neutral in this, in regard to
your country?" He said, "I would like to think there would be." I said,
"We know what you really mean. And who's fault that is." He nodded.
I said, "I am ready to announce my ruling in this binding
arbitration. The island in dispute is the territory of the nation of
Japan, and all other known claims are invalid. Any action against this
ruling, well, I might be moved to do something about it. All
principles, please acknowledge that this is binding on your nations."
They did. I said, "This session is now ended." I said, "We are off the
record. This will be made public in ten days, to allow your governments
to prepare wise statements, where they are not rushed to make very
unfortunate mistakes. Please consider that this is not a defeat or a
victory, but a politely settled dispute that we can all learn from."
China said, "I ask that your statement be included in what is public."
The others agreed. I said, "I'd better not say any more, or this will
never end." Chuckles. They all left, but the PM. He said, "I knew, and
you knew that." I said, "I think those of Japan also at least
suspected." He said, "We would have OWNED China, if they had validated
that legal principle." I said, "Your greatest hero. He conquered all of
China, and strangely, he is still doing it today, in a different way!"
We shared our face splitting grins.
END Page
--
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant
|
|