Evidently, it doesn't take much to rattle Washington. But when General McCrystal seemed unable to get over the case of loose lips, political people couldn't believe it. There is more than enough in the story about Afghanistan that is beyond belief.
If nothing else, history must be the teacher that outsiders do not change the tribal relationships of the country's people. Here we are at 9 years and counting, a war that has no "winners", over a thousand deaths, and over $1 Trillion US dollars poured into the conflict, with no clear path to a positive outcome. As Frank Rich of the New York Times Opinion Page put it, regarding the Administration's war philosophy: When we voted Mr. Obama, we thought we were getting a Prius, and instead got a Tank. Mr. Obama seems unable or unwilling to change the course of the Beltway war machine.
At least I will give the General thanks for the frank discussion of the prospects ahead in the war effort. Slim and none about sum it up. While his personal evaluation of Washington and the President were probably not politically astute, his honesty should be appreciated. And I do.
As a nation, we need to find the will to leave this conflict behind. In the long view of the world, it will gain us little to stay. We cannot afford that war, its price in dollars, the cost of young lives, and goodwill of the people of the country. We certainly do not need to prop up a government that is suspect at best - and staying to accomplish the chore - in the Afghan government's estimation will be at least a 20 year task. Thanks, but no.
When our children and their schools are doing without because we're spending too much on war material, it's time to give it some thought. The price tag would already have paid for reinforcing Social Security, Single Payer Health Care and better schools. Take your pick. We need any of those options more than we need to continue this war.
New York Times - Opinion from Frank Rich - 36 Hours that Shook Washington and
Buzz Flash - Mark Karlin's Editor's Blog BuzzFlash
22 June 2010
Politics you can believe in...
The "Change you can believe in" Administration isn't. A great number of people believed in the promise of change that Mr. Obama made during his campaign - only to be left wondering now what happened to that promise. There have been some successes. But, could there have been so many more if the White House had invested itself as promised?
Where is the bold leader that we elected? The guy who looked straight at the camera and spoke against Washington's attitude of business as usual seems to be perfectly happy to adopt business as usual at the worst possible time.
The lackluster performance on BP is only the latest in a series of leadership surprises.
What happened to the promise of transparency in government? The deals made with the drug industry during HCR put that part of progress on the back burner. Couple that with a surprising lack of leadership during the health-care reform political process, almost derailing the whole effort. Financial reform has become an issue in which the White House appears to be working against the best interests of Main Street. Between Geithner and Summers, its only surprising that any progress has been made. The abysmal effort for underwater home-owners is almost wholly owned by Geithner. Mr. Summers fortunately falls asleep during meetings, minimizing the consequences of his work. The company formerly known as Blackwater still collects millions from the US government as does Halliburton. The administration continues to work against its own stated goals. Guantanamo Bay? DADT? Bi-Partisanship with the Party of No?
It was Blanche Lincoln who asked that the administration consider being more like the previous administration in its policies. Certainly isn't the kind of change that core voters were looking for, yet the administration threw support her way, and bashed unions after the Arkansas primary vote.
More observers are now taking note of a presidential disconnect that is particularly striking since the BP gusher pushed its oily way to the front pages and the wetlands of the Gulf Coast.
Can only wonder what direction is next on the Beltway agenda.
Where is the bold leader that we elected? The guy who looked straight at the camera and spoke against Washington's attitude of business as usual seems to be perfectly happy to adopt business as usual at the worst possible time.
The lackluster performance on BP is only the latest in a series of leadership surprises.
What happened to the promise of transparency in government? The deals made with the drug industry during HCR put that part of progress on the back burner. Couple that with a surprising lack of leadership during the health-care reform political process, almost derailing the whole effort. Financial reform has become an issue in which the White House appears to be working against the best interests of Main Street. Between Geithner and Summers, its only surprising that any progress has been made. The abysmal effort for underwater home-owners is almost wholly owned by Geithner. Mr. Summers fortunately falls asleep during meetings, minimizing the consequences of his work. The company formerly known as Blackwater still collects millions from the US government as does Halliburton. The administration continues to work against its own stated goals. Guantanamo Bay? DADT? Bi-Partisanship with the Party of No?
It was Blanche Lincoln who asked that the administration consider being more like the previous administration in its policies. Certainly isn't the kind of change that core voters were looking for, yet the administration threw support her way, and bashed unions after the Arkansas primary vote.
More observers are now taking note of a presidential disconnect that is particularly striking since the BP gusher pushed its oily way to the front pages and the wetlands of the Gulf Coast.
Can only wonder what direction is next on the Beltway agenda.
12 June 2010
Baseball and Apple Pie?
I find it impossible to convey how disgusting I find the exchange about baseball between Mitch McConnell and Harry Reid on the Senate floor on June 9, 2010. What planet are these two individuals living on? See it on C-SPAN
I expect leadership that cares about the country and the people they represent. I want leaders who understand that they are among the most fortunate people in the country, and their work better reflect that understanding. Leaders of both parties must realize that it is their JOB to attend to the people's business - particularly when unemployment is hovering - in real terms - about 20%. Discussing baseball on the Senate Floor is just bad form. How is it they don't understand that some Americans are having a hard time affording food when the unemployment funding didn't get completed? They didn't take care of getting that job done. Too much baseball and too little cooperation to complete the backlog of bills that have been stacked waiting for Senate attention.
I am demanding a better work ethic from the elected. Discuss baseball if you want to - just not on my time.
I expect leadership that cares about the country and the people they represent. I want leaders who understand that they are among the most fortunate people in the country, and their work better reflect that understanding. Leaders of both parties must realize that it is their JOB to attend to the people's business - particularly when unemployment is hovering - in real terms - about 20%. Discussing baseball on the Senate Floor is just bad form. How is it they don't understand that some Americans are having a hard time affording food when the unemployment funding didn't get completed? They didn't take care of getting that job done. Too much baseball and too little cooperation to complete the backlog of bills that have been stacked waiting for Senate attention.
I am demanding a better work ethic from the elected. Discuss baseball if you want to - just not on my time.
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