The Fulcrum
Friday, November 14, 2003
Taking a Hard Right Turn
It seems that I need more time to sit and think about my posts on this blog...
I've been mulling over a rather longish post about how politics have changed in the past several years. About where the Right is leading us all; they have nearly all the power in Washington (and yet claim to be under siege), they have basically been given a pass by the media (that's the infamous SCLM) and they seem intent on taking us somewhere. Somewhere dark. Somewhere where there are no protests - can you say "First Amendment Zones?"
I had all these thoughts and was in the first, mental steps of organizing them...
And then I found this.
David Neiwert at Orcinus says it perfectly. Without hyperbole, well supported with links and facts. This is no rant, but rather a cold-eyed look at the hard right turn our country is being forced to make. A small sample of David's style and substance:
I've been mulling over a rather longish post about how politics have changed in the past several years. About where the Right is leading us all; they have nearly all the power in Washington (and yet claim to be under siege), they have basically been given a pass by the media (that's the infamous SCLM) and they seem intent on taking us somewhere. Somewhere dark. Somewhere where there are no protests - can you say "First Amendment Zones?"
I had all these thoughts and was in the first, mental steps of organizing them...
And then I found this.
David Neiwert at Orcinus says it perfectly. Without hyperbole, well supported with links and facts. This is no rant, but rather a cold-eyed look at the hard right turn our country is being forced to make. A small sample of David's style and substance:
"What is becoming increasingly clear is that conservatives are less and less inclined to rely on "intellectual" or political exchanges, and are turning more to an eliminationist strategy that seeks to demonize liberals and make them social outcasts -- and concomitantly, acceptable targets for violence because of the "damage" they cause the nation through their ostensible treason.Those of us on the Left, especially those of us who write openly, publicly about our distrust of and unhappiness with this administration must surely hope that Neiwert is wrong about the ultimate result of this trend.
Return to War?
I haven't seen it on any of the blogs I read and I haven't seen any kind of official announcement either. But this morning on ABC News, the talking head said that a military official in Iraq had confirmed that there were more operations in and around Baghdad last night against units of the "Republican Guard."
I'll try to find out some more about this, but this is something that I don't believe has been stated so baldly before.
In the past it has been Baathists and resistance fighters and foreign fighters and terrorists. But for the administration to let something like this out, seems to me, to be a subtle but important change. There has been talk over the past week that the military might be moving back towards more combat operations, and the attacks and bombings in the Sunni Triangle have sure looked more like what went on before May 1, than after.
An interesting turn of events, no?
[UPDATE]
I also forgot to mention that Central Command is so concerned over the way things are going in Iraq that Gen. John Abizaid is moving his HQ back to Doha, Qatar from Tampa, FL.
[UPDATE 2]
ABC News is now saying that one of the attacks last night was on a former Republican Guard warehouse. Hmmmm... interesting change of words. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
While it is necessary, if our military is going to stay, for them to try and stop these attacks, it cannot be done at the expense of the battle for the "hearts and minds." Otherwise, no matter how badly we defeat the insurgents/resistance, we will lose this war.
I'll try to find out some more about this, but this is something that I don't believe has been stated so baldly before.
In the past it has been Baathists and resistance fighters and foreign fighters and terrorists. But for the administration to let something like this out, seems to me, to be a subtle but important change. There has been talk over the past week that the military might be moving back towards more combat operations, and the attacks and bombings in the Sunni Triangle have sure looked more like what went on before May 1, than after.
An interesting turn of events, no?
[UPDATE]
I also forgot to mention that Central Command is so concerned over the way things are going in Iraq that Gen. John Abizaid is moving his HQ back to Doha, Qatar from Tampa, FL.
[UPDATE 2]
ABC News is now saying that one of the attacks last night was on a former Republican Guard warehouse. Hmmmm... interesting change of words. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
While it is necessary, if our military is going to stay, for them to try and stop these attacks, it cannot be done at the expense of the battle for the "hearts and minds." Otherwise, no matter how badly we defeat the insurgents/resistance, we will lose this war.
Thursday, November 13, 2003
Justice is Done
At long last, Chief Justice Roy Moore is done. The judge who refused to remove a huge, granite monument to the Ten Commandments has been removed from the bench by the Alabama state judicial panel.
Read about it here.
Read about it here.
168 - 4
Do I really have to say any more about the petulant, childish publicity stunt pulled by Senate Republicans?
Tell me again how many Clinton appointees never made it to a vote?
Tell me again how many Clinton appointees never made it to a vote?
Universal Health Care - Again
I wrote a little about Universal Health Care in a post last month in the context of a practice called "Body Attachment." Today there's an article in the Wall Street Journal (subscription required) comparing medical care in the U.S. with that in Canada.
The article focused on the wait times for elective and non-emergency surgeries, but was, overall, rather benign in its tone towards Canada's system. Not at all what I expected when I opened the story. The WSJ even included data - well known but neglected in most discussions - that Canada's system cost less as a percentage of GDP (10% vs 14%) and that Canadians live longer that Americans (79.4 yrs vs 76.8yrs).
I go to Canada a lot. My wife is Canadian and her father needs regular medical care and so I've been to the hospital and have knowledge about scheduling there. When he needs immediate care, there is no waiting. When he needs tests there is some waiting, but it depends on the exact test to be done. Most importantly, he never gets a bill for his care. He's had to go in for emergencies twice this year. He's retired and if he and his wife were living in the same situation in the States, they would have no insurance and those two visits would likely have taken every penny they could scrape together before Medicare or Medicaid kicked in. In Canada, he goes home from the hospital and a home-care nurse comes by when needed and he never gets a bill.
The wait times are being more closely managed in the Canadian system, and there is a general issue of the public using emergency rooms and clinics for very minor problems like colds. But that happens here, too.
There are just so many reasons why learning from all the best systems in the world and implementing a Universal Health Care system in the U.S. makes sense. I am constantly baffled by the arguments against it.
The article focused on the wait times for elective and non-emergency surgeries, but was, overall, rather benign in its tone towards Canada's system. Not at all what I expected when I opened the story. The WSJ even included data - well known but neglected in most discussions - that Canada's system cost less as a percentage of GDP (10% vs 14%) and that Canadians live longer that Americans (79.4 yrs vs 76.8yrs).
I go to Canada a lot. My wife is Canadian and her father needs regular medical care and so I've been to the hospital and have knowledge about scheduling there. When he needs immediate care, there is no waiting. When he needs tests there is some waiting, but it depends on the exact test to be done. Most importantly, he never gets a bill for his care. He's had to go in for emergencies twice this year. He's retired and if he and his wife were living in the same situation in the States, they would have no insurance and those two visits would likely have taken every penny they could scrape together before Medicare or Medicaid kicked in. In Canada, he goes home from the hospital and a home-care nurse comes by when needed and he never gets a bill.
The wait times are being more closely managed in the Canadian system, and there is a general issue of the public using emergency rooms and clinics for very minor problems like colds. But that happens here, too.
There are just so many reasons why learning from all the best systems in the world and implementing a Universal Health Care system in the U.S. makes sense. I am constantly baffled by the arguments against it.
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
Turn Off Your Radios and Take Your Blood Pressure Medicine
Rush is back!
The overweight, over medicated, no-talent, maid exploiting blowhard will be back on the air on Monday, November 17.
Forwarned is forarmed.
The overweight, over medicated, no-talent, maid exploiting blowhard will be back on the air on Monday, November 17.
Forwarned is forarmed.
Ready or Not, Here it Comes!
Our man Bremer in Iraq has had his meeting with his bosses and the word is out. Regardless of the situation in Iraq, they want to be able to hand over Iraq to the Iraqis quickly. In time for the election.
Nobody has written the story that baldly - yet. But if I were a betting man, I'd have my money on the line that something very close to that was said in Bremer's meeting. From the BBC:
Anyway, while the actual intentions or plans (if any) of BushCo remain inscrutable, it certainly looks, from the outside, that they want desperately to set up an end-game where during the run-up to Election 2004 Bush can proudly point to returning soldiers and an established (if under siege) government in Iraq. What will happen after that is anybody's guess. Perhaps the Iraqi government, a suitable period of time after the election, will make an "official" request that the U.S. send in the military to help out a new friend in the Middle East.
I wish these thoughts didn't go through my mind after every news cycle - but while the past is not a perfect guide to the future, it is the only guide we have.
Nobody has written the story that baldly - yet. But if I were a betting man, I'd have my money on the line that something very close to that was said in Bremer's meeting. From the BBC:
"He [President Bush] remains steadfast in his determination to defeat terrorism in Iraq and steadfast in his determination to give the Iraqis authority over their country - authority they are already beginning to assume very quickly in the area of security and in the area of running the Iraqi ministries," Mr Bremer told a news conference. [Emphasis is mine - Ed.]Is it me or does this also sound suspiciously like Bremer is blaming the increased security issues on the fact that the Iraqis are already assuming responsibility "in the area of security?"
Anyway, while the actual intentions or plans (if any) of BushCo remain inscrutable, it certainly looks, from the outside, that they want desperately to set up an end-game where during the run-up to Election 2004 Bush can proudly point to returning soldiers and an established (if under siege) government in Iraq. What will happen after that is anybody's guess. Perhaps the Iraqi government, a suitable period of time after the election, will make an "official" request that the U.S. send in the military to help out a new friend in the Middle East.
I wish these thoughts didn't go through my mind after every news cycle - but while the past is not a perfect guide to the future, it is the only guide we have.
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.
Have you heard of that company before? If not, you should learn more about it. This from the Wall Street Journal (no link; subscription required):
The PBGC is a government run corporation, much like Fanny Mae, that takes over pension plans after companies default on them or go out of business. It ensures that workers who've contributed to and been promised a pension are not left holding the (empty) bag. Right now it is projected to have an $8.8 billion long-term shortfall in funds. But the big news is that some very large companies that are having trouble meeting the federally required minimum pension funding are asking for relief from the rather strict "catch-up" schedules want to change those schedules. These schedules set out how quickly companies must re-fund their programs after relief during financial hardships.
In this instance, the White House is staunchly behind the PBGC in wanting to maintain the catch-up schedules:
But (you just knew there had to be a but)...
The PBGC is a government run corporation, much like Fanny Mae, that takes over pension plans after companies default on them or go out of business. It ensures that workers who've contributed to and been promised a pension are not left holding the (empty) bag. Right now it is projected to have an $8.8 billion long-term shortfall in funds. But the big news is that some very large companies that are having trouble meeting the federally required minimum pension funding are asking for relief from the rather strict "catch-up" schedules want to change those schedules. These schedules set out how quickly companies must re-fund their programs after relief during financial hardships.
In this instance, the White House is staunchly behind the PBGC in wanting to maintain the catch-up schedules:
The Bush administration is on record as strongly opposing any attempt to water down the catch-up requirements. "If we're going to provide short-term funding relief, how do you not do the same for every future firm that finds itself in that situation?" a senior administration official said.Giving relief to those who've asked, so far, would likely result in the PBGC being over $80 billion underfunded.
But (you just knew there had to be a but)...
Despite concerns within the Bush administration, however, influential congressional leaders are widely believed to be pushing relief. They include House Speaker Dennis Hastert, an Illinois Republican whose state is home to troubled UAL Corp., and Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, whose large rural state is served by Northwest Airlines.Didn't you know you'd be able to count on our elected representatives to do what is right for the whole country? It's so pleasant to know that these guys will be consistent - they may not have the gonads of a gnat - but you can bet they'll stand up for their true constituents.
The Day After Veterans' Day
First, I'd like to thank those who stopped by yesterday and left some very nice comments and thoughts on Veterans' Day (except the troll - although it was my first one). I decided to honor the day with just the one post. I hope all those who read it were at least prompted to stop and think for a moment what the day really means.
Next, I want to thank NTodd over at Dohiyi Mir for my first link (that I know of) on another blog. I like NTodd's eclectic posts and I'm honored he chose to add me to his blogroll. I'm hoping this will help drive more traffic here. While I like writing this blog, and it's a good place to vent and - on occasion - rant, I'd hate to think that I'm only talking to an empty room.
So, on to the day. I hope that at least some of us will think of and thank the veterans who've made our way of life possible on more than just one day of the year.
Next, I want to thank NTodd over at Dohiyi Mir for my first link (that I know of) on another blog. I like NTodd's eclectic posts and I'm honored he chose to add me to his blogroll. I'm hoping this will help drive more traffic here. While I like writing this blog, and it's a good place to vent and - on occasion - rant, I'd hate to think that I'm only talking to an empty room.
So, on to the day. I hope that at least some of us will think of and thank the veterans who've made our way of life possible on more than just one day of the year.
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Veterans' Day
In Flanders FieldsThe custom is not so prevalent any more, but I remember my dad buying a small red poppy from veterans who sat outside the stores in mid-November. They came on a green wire so that it could be attached to a lapel or - more usually - the rear view mirror in a car. Now, the only place I can still get a poppy is when I travel to Canada near Veterans' Day, Remembrance Day there.
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
It's really too bad.
Instead of the bombast and braggadocio of those who push war as the panacea for all that threatens or seems to threaten us, the poppies are a reminder that war has consequence. The vision of "…the crosses, row on row…" is evocative of Arlington National Cemetery or the Antietam Cemetery. I've never been to the cemeteries overlooking the Atlantic in France, but even the photos choke me up. I have been to Arlington and I have seen the Old Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Those sites make me proud, and profoundly sad.
As a veteran, I can only shake my head when I think of what this solemn holiday has become. Furniture stores find this a perfect time before the holidays to have sales. Some schools get the day off, but most businesses do not. Some towns have parades in honor of veterans, but who can go if they must work? News that the current administration is seeking to cut funding to so many programs that benefit soldiers, their families and veterans puts the lie to Bush's pledge to "support the troops." What lessons does this teach our children of the worthiness of service-to-country and self-sacrifice? What does this say to all of our veterans about their worth to our society?
Instead of hyping war, let's use this Memorial Day to remember those who've made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Let's remember, too the families left behind, and the battle scarred - whose wounds, both visible and invisible are a constant reminder of the horror of war. Let's also remember that those who've died in service to our country did so in order to protect our freedoms and way of life. Remember this when those same freedoms are under threat by those who would protect us by making us less free.
In these times, it is best to remember Ben Franklin's words:
"Those who would give up essential liberties for a measure of security, deserve neither liberty nor security."
Monday, November 10, 2003
Is it Worth the Effort?
Some of you may or may not have read Kim du Toit's execrable mess of an essay. If not, well... I'm not sure whether to send you there or not. At least not without some warning. Everything you read in this essay, if you are even the slightest bit to the left of Gengis Khan, will make you sputter in disbelief. Be warned.
I've read some of his stuff - know the opposition and all - and I find him generally so bombastic and full of himself as to be all but unreadable. But this is beyond the pale. A couple of people in my blogroll have already commented on it...
Perhaps Mr. du Toit is compensating? Perhaps his mother was a little too controlling when he was growing up? I'm not sure.
If I can stomach it, I'll come back to this later. That's a big if.
I've read some of his stuff - know the opposition and all - and I find him generally so bombastic and full of himself as to be all but unreadable. But this is beyond the pale. A couple of people in my blogroll have already commented on it...
Perhaps Mr. du Toit is compensating? Perhaps his mother was a little too controlling when he was growing up? I'm not sure.
If I can stomach it, I'll come back to this later. That's a big if.
Cognitive Dissonance
On the increasing attacks against American forces in Iraq - now numbering between 25 and 30 per day - Paul Bremer III had these two things to say:
"There are going to be increased attacks and increased terrorism because the terrorists can see the reconstruction dynamic is moving in our direction,"I guess he means that the better things get, the worse they will become. I'm sure that will really help to improve morale of the troops already there and especially of those being mustered for deployment early next year.
- and -
"Unless our intelligence gets better, we're going to have a problem," he added, seemingly conceding that coalition forces were at a disadvantage coming to grips with the Iraqi insurgents.
al Qaeda - Yet Again
I just want to make a short addition to my last post...
My disgust at what al Qaeda continues to do, while still there, is somewhat tempered by my hope that the Saudis will have some serious second thoughts about whatever ways they are funding this group. Evidence that they are funding al Qaeda directly is limited at best. But that money flows from Saudi Arabia into the coffers of bin Laden's group is probably as close to fact as you can get in this murky part of the world.
Wahabbism, for some reason, has an appeal to rich, listless Saudis and bin Laden's rhetoric draws them in. But now that the results are coming very close to home, perhaps they will pause to think about what they have done. And regardless if this latest attack causes introspection on the part of the bored Saudi millionaires who fund al Qaeda, I hope that the Saudi government finally takes the problem seriously and shuts down the various front operations that funnel supposed charity money to terrorists.
But as always, when talking about the Middle East, despair is always the smart choice - hope has been dashed too many times.
My disgust at what al Qaeda continues to do, while still there, is somewhat tempered by my hope that the Saudis will have some serious second thoughts about whatever ways they are funding this group. Evidence that they are funding al Qaeda directly is limited at best. But that money flows from Saudi Arabia into the coffers of bin Laden's group is probably as close to fact as you can get in this murky part of the world.
Wahabbism, for some reason, has an appeal to rich, listless Saudis and bin Laden's rhetoric draws them in. But now that the results are coming very close to home, perhaps they will pause to think about what they have done. And regardless if this latest attack causes introspection on the part of the bored Saudi millionaires who fund al Qaeda, I hope that the Saudi government finally takes the problem seriously and shuts down the various front operations that funnel supposed charity money to terrorists.
But as always, when talking about the Middle East, despair is always the smart choice - hope has been dashed too many times.
Sunday, November 09, 2003
al Qaeda - Again?
They weren't Americans - and yet their lifestyles were similar... in some ways. But apparently that was enough.
Al Qaeda - Osama bin Laden - chose mostly Saudis to carry out their attacks on the WTC and the Pentagon. And yet, because they worked with Americans or just because they lived a somewhat more secular life than OBL would approve of, al Qaeda "expressed its displeasure" with their Saudi brethren.
But these were not soldiers or policemen. They were women, men, children; at home in a quiet, residential, supposedly secure area. 11 dead. Perhaps as many as 110 wounded.
Despicable.
Al Qaeda - Osama bin Laden - chose mostly Saudis to carry out their attacks on the WTC and the Pentagon. And yet, because they worked with Americans or just because they lived a somewhat more secular life than OBL would approve of, al Qaeda "expressed its displeasure" with their Saudi brethren.
But these were not soldiers or policemen. They were women, men, children; at home in a quiet, residential, supposedly secure area. 11 dead. Perhaps as many as 110 wounded.
Despicable.
