The Supreme Court Law and the National Security Law

SKY'S the limit, I can FLY and I can RULE the WORLD. I wanted to tell you about my recent tour visit to the Supreme Court last Monday, and, how that tour visit has impacted me to think about the National Security Law. When I participated in the TWC sponsored tour to the Supreme Court, I had the opportunity to sit down in the real courtroom where the tour lecturer told us that it was the similar room where the Supreme Court Justices have organized the hearings; and, regulated and enacted laws in that courtroom.

In the real courtroom, I glanced at the representing symbols which indicated their past significations of each legal process which takes place in founding the Supreme Court. And, I heard about its history through the tour lecturer. Although, I was sitting down in the real courtroom and listening to the lecture at the same time, I still had the opportunity to reflect on how to relate the Supreme Court Law with the National Security Law.

By reflecting, first, as a Deaf-African American woman, I wanted to inform you that I believed that I could actually fly in working in the field of National Security Law. Every since I was a young child, I always knew that in the very air I breathed that having educational goals in the areas of international politics, security and law “was the only way out”. By having these educational goals, it was juxtaposed to the pulse of political advancement in this world. By working in the field of National Security Law, it will enable me to do something that is very natural to me and perhaps, something that I am much more capable of doing well in.

By staying informed and educated, I read about the international politics in the newspapers, I never fail to remember how important it is for me, as a Deaf, African-American woman, and as a person with special talents, skills, and knowledgeable thinking processes to speak out about counterterrorism and counterinsurgency issues; and, to conquer the existing powers in order to lead the nation. And, yet not only because of my disability but, rather as, an American citizen that has a strong inclination to speak about the nation’s defense security issues in United States of America. Although, the white majority views of a disability person leading the nation can seem a positive thing, but it still has NOT changed their thoughts, so, I STILL continue to use my diplomatic efforts to change these views of how these people view a Deaf African-American woman with high ambitious goals to LEAD A NATION.

In case you are wondering why I am discussing about this, they are because of my unlimited enthusiasm, intensive wealth of experience, and intellectual abilities and insights; and, I always thought it was important to be WORLDLY-WISE about how these opportunities were unreachable beyond my comfort zones. To have these opportunities to conquer and confront these existing power institutions were deeply important to me. Growing up, I always wanted to “escape” from my own comfort zones and to conquer these opportunities which have existed in the hands of the white majority who took control of everything from us for many centuries since slaverly times.

So, in reaching for opportunities which have existed beyond my comfort zone, I was able to attend the U.S. Supreme Court tour with a SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER and the tour lecturer have explained to me about the history of the establishment of the Supreme Court and how the past Justices have helped to establish this court; and to establish the American law and order in this country. When I speculate about how these past Justices have establish law and order in U.S., I immediately speculate about the idea of joining among the ranks with this nation’s top defense lawyers to strengthen the National Security Law and to make recommendations for improving the areas of homeland security issues. Nevertheless to say, the National Security Law is STILL in a continuing judicious process, generally, because these lawyers need to inquire into the reformation of rules and laws for making our homeland more safer.

After the 9/11 tragedy has occurred in the U.S., the need for reforming laws for the purpose of defending our homeland has, ultimately, became an important matter of discussion. From what I know from my own experience in debating about the defense security issues relating to counterterrorism, counterinsurgency and the weapon of mass destruction (WMD) is that the U.S. has always strongly emphasized on the importance of using diplomatic negotiations with U.S. Embassies in South Asia and the Middle East regional countries on reducing terrorism activities and eliminating nuclear weapons; but, at this particularly point, America may always need to create a more stronger defense policy--- and, this will happen only if we apply the National Security Law to it, then, our defense policy can be STRONGLY enforced.

Because, I know that when the issue of terrorism is debated, the concept of terrorism is, therefore, something that is both a monstrosity act and a reign of terror to all of us. Hence, dealing with terrorism could be a waste of time; most people should really cooperate with the international laws and the rule of laws; and they shall always find other means of securing powers which are juxtaposed to using legal powers. For example, I secure my own powers with the idea of setting my own goals on obtaining my law degree and on working in the field of National Security Law. By completing these accomplishments, I can really impact the people living in South Korea and Middle East, that the very aim that is up in the air, is the power of using law as a weapon to influence powerful people and to change their perspectives about certain political and legal issues.

Think of this way: using law is juxtaposed to using a weapon. Through using it to change past centuries of negative perceptions which the white majority has always viewed the disability persons as weak, incapable, intelligible, or as persons whom are unable to deal with issues flying above the radar range of intelligence and security areas could be changed. Because of these revulsions, I went on a very serious missionary effort to earn a bachelor degree in international relations in 2008, and to pursue a master degree in international security and to establish a goal to obtain a law degree, so that I could challenge these views; not only I wanted to challenge these views but, I also wanted to eliminate the peoples' discriminating views of Deaf people, as certainly, incapable of having the powerful tools of weapons---the power of leadership, English language and international insights--- specific tools which leaders must have in order to conquer any powerful institutions.

These powers do not, solely, focus on the language and leadership but with my military ambitions and powers; and with my future goal of getting into National Security Law; this field is, perhaps, rather fascinating and intellectual stimulating; and it is, frankly honestly, much more powerful than anything existing out there in the world. But, once we hit law school, all we are really learning about are tort, criminal law and intellectual property law; but, after the third or fourth year of law school, learning about National Security Law will be undoubtedly explored, enhanced and strengthened. Taking National Security Law courses will cultivate our minds for statecraft and lawcrafts, and for ruling the world of law.

National Security law defeats any type of law fields every day; the news stories we pick up in the newspapers, the think tank discussions and departmental meetings we participate in--- make this specific law field, entirely, fascinating and captivating to work for. For example, last Thursday, I attended the Intern Summit meeting at the State Department and learned about the various fields which the State Department experts work for. One expert has earned her JD degree and has focused on dealing with U.S. via North Korea’s nuclear policy. And, I asked this person a sincere question of what are the ways have she used her legal skills, solely, in her work to deal with U.S. via North Korea’s nuclear policy. She replied that she has used her legal skills to create argumentative cases AND to form legal decisions in U.S. via North Korea nuclear policy cases. Immediately, I thought this position was an EXCELLENT one where an individual could contribute his/her legal skills in solving U.S. via North Korea nuclear proliferation policy issues.

Not only do I want to use my legal skills in solving defense security issue such as the one above, but I want to use it in dealing with military issues. Attending the Truman’s National Security Project’s Intern Springboard lecture series was, perhaps, the most AMAZING educational experience I have ever had, and, not only have I learned about military strategies, and security forces issues, ---but, I have learned about how national security can impact political groups, philosophical thinkers, and peoples’ communication methods. When I participate in the meeting, and through participating in TWC tour events, I become more and more concerned with the larger world and the larger issues that are happening beyond my own typical surrounding; and, I become more and more qualified to share about my experience with you because of my unique learning opportunities have been sought here on the CAPITOL HILL this summer.

Since my work is cut out for me, it has reinforced me even stronger how important it really is to educate myself about the larger issues of terrorism and, to understand how terrorism can be solved through the law --- National Security Law, to be more specific. Terrorism is all around us TODAY; unless we practice National Security Law, we may, then, even see military budget cuts more, safeguard the military troops more, and build diplomatic relations with countries more. In dealing with the war on terrorism, I never forget how important it is to value diversity in National Security Law community - Should I, as a person of disability, help U.S. lawyers establish legal dialogues with other foreign lawyers in Iraq, Afghanistan and South Korea? Or would it be best that I, as a person of color, help other lawyers deal with U.S. via North Korea's nuclear policy?

But, the bottom line is that, I am PROUD to be a Deaf African-American woman. My ambitions and powers will, forever, be as sharp and cloudlessly to people, enabling them to change their own perspectives. And, because I believe my experience will, primarily, help these people to view the different issues in different lights. The tour visit to the Supreme Court and the leadership program with the Truman National Security Project program have, indeed, helped me to realize my unlimited potential abilities and to know how I can use these abilities to impact others in the future.

Be the change you want to see in the world,
Toronja-

Deafness, Patriotism and Core Values

As a patriotic, I wanted to soften my overwhelming power through communicating with the public about core values and disability issues. After attending the Truman’s Intern Security Springboard’s first luncheon meeting last week, I had the moment to think about the core values that are part of the National Security community, although, they are not related to disability issues, I still wanted to “compare” the core values with the core values which the Deaf community has. Learning about these values help to make a person a strong patriotic leader in the United States of America. I will explain about these core values later in this blog entry. But, first, please allow me to explain about this message that is related to one of the core values. The Truman’s project program supports a persuasive security message based on America’s history, and this message emphasizes one of the core values in one idea.

The message is ---“we want America to be secure and powerful. To achieve this [goal], we increase our friends and isolate our enemies. We built stability by spreading opportunity”--- After hearing this message, I realized that to make America powerful, we need to strongly embrace this core value---keeping America secure and powerful; I strongly believe in this value. In order to honor this core value of keeping America secure and powerful, we need to interact with the right persons who share this core value. Sometimes, I think that to interact with the right persons who share my values is a great way to remind each other of how important it is to honor this value. Suppose, a Deaf community has the same values as mine, I may even trust them to conjure up policies because they share my values. So, this is what happens in the political campaign process, you get the right persons to campaign for a specific political cause which supports this core value--- keeping America secure and powerful, and then we can keep our country safe.

Are you wondering what core values does a Deaf community embraces? The Deaf community has core values of loyalty and honor. In our Deaf community, we have leaders serving for many Deaf-owned and operated non-profit organizations. These Deaf leaders share these core values of embracing loyalty and honor in serving for their organizations in America. What is interesting is that these values are the same values that the U.S. Military embraces, too. These values are what you live or die on. Moreover, the Deaf community embraces other values such as duty, respect, selfless service, integrity, personal courage. And, these values are also the same values that the official U.S. Army embraces as well. Additionally, the U.S. Military’s Honor Code is almost similar to the “honor code” that a Deaf community embraces, also. When each individual in the Deaf community abides his or her “honor code”, this individual live accordingly to this “honor code” as he or she serves as an "ambassador” for the Deaf community worldwide since, America is, increasingly, merging in this interdependent world where the issues of security and prosperity are being tied to other countries. With this in mind, the Deaf ambassadors should, therefore, be encouraged to fully embrace these values in order to make America more secure and powerful, because when we do fulfill this “obligation”, we will, then, become a valuable asset and an exemplary example to the international community as a whole, protecting our country against potential threats.

Despite the obstacles we face as Deaf persons living in a world of hatreds, prejudices, discriminations, it has become increasingly important that we redefine our Deaf identifies and reexamine these values, especially, in this time where defense and security issues are occurring in war-torn nations such as Iraq and Afghanistan. The Deaf ambassadors should be, greatly, encouraged to set a perfect example for this international community. When we show others that we embrace our core values and demonstrate our leadership abilities, we, then, impact the world. For instance, if I act as diplomatic, righteous and civilized individual, I can encourage other people to develop open transparency and diplomatic negotiation in globalization because these tools are necessary and important. Additionally, we the Deaf community, however, embraces the concept of patriotism. When we are being loyal to our country and fostering positive and supportive attitude toward this country, especially in periods of national turmoil such as a war, we help to keep America secure and powerful.

We the Deaf are overwhelming supportive towards our own country because of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This specific Act gives us the right to receive reasonable disability accommodations such as interpreting services. With this law being established, we can have access to ALL communication facilities and participation opportunities in the congressional hearings, election voting processes, and national security think tanks, and, educational and professional opportunities. Although, we embrace the concept of patriotism, we still always strive to keep our culture, traditions, languages (American Sign Language) together even when the America’s political and social influences have already impacted us. Since the American people have defined us, we refuse to let the hearing population of people with heavily social and political influences to convince us more into losing our values or to recede us further into political stigmatization. By embracing our values and sticking to them, we then, can set a perfect example for the people in Iraq and Afghanistan countries that the very intention which lies in our mission is to confront these existing power institutions in U.S. and overseas.

Best,
Toronja-