Thursday, November 20, 2003
I don't pretend to fully grasp the warped evil thoughts of Al Qaeda, but murdering Turkish civilians seems very stupid. A strategic rationale has been offered and it makes a certain amount of sense, but not much more than that.
Al Qaeda has, over the last year, killed more Muslims than Americans. Their attacks in Casablanca brought the local population out into the street to protest. Their attacks in Saudi Arabia achieved much the same effect. This campaign has gone far beyond attacking the regimes that oppose them. I can't see how these attacks won't undermine their popular image as defenders of Islam. There will be all too many who will rationalize this, but, I think, many more who will take careful note of just how much these animals care about Muslim lives.
Al Qaeda has, over the last year, killed more Muslims than Americans. Their attacks in Casablanca brought the local population out into the street to protest. Their attacks in Saudi Arabia achieved much the same effect. This campaign has gone far beyond attacking the regimes that oppose them. I can't see how these attacks won't undermine their popular image as defenders of Islam. There will be all too many who will rationalize this, but, I think, many more who will take careful note of just how much these animals care about Muslim lives.
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
The UN, as usual, has its own screwy ideas about the Buddhas of Bamiyan. Radio Free Europe reports: Afghanistan: Plans To Remake Giant Buddhas Opposed By UNESCO:
Muriel de Pierrebourg, a spokeswoman for UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura, says rebuilding the statues in the original niches would be a 'double treachery.' She says the technique suggested by Gruen has been rejected by the vast majority of specialists. Instead, she says, UNESCO prefers to leave the niches empty as a 'memorial to destruction.'
Right now, that's the whole country, sweetie.
But Gruen believes rebuilding the Buddhas would benefit all of Afghanistan by dramatically boosting tourism
Honestly, the most important fact about the Buddhas wasn't their destruction at the hands of the Taliban, it was their awesome history. Letting them remain destroyed gives the Taliban a victory that they didn't deserve and further cuts Afghanistan off from its layered and rich past. Afghanistan will benefit far more from having them reconstructed than it will by honoring its own pillaging. What the hell do they smoke at UNESCO anyway?
Muriel de Pierrebourg, a spokeswoman for UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura, says rebuilding the statues in the original niches would be a 'double treachery.' She says the technique suggested by Gruen has been rejected by the vast majority of specialists. Instead, she says, UNESCO prefers to leave the niches empty as a 'memorial to destruction.'
Right now, that's the whole country, sweetie.
But Gruen believes rebuilding the Buddhas would benefit all of Afghanistan by dramatically boosting tourism
Honestly, the most important fact about the Buddhas wasn't their destruction at the hands of the Taliban, it was their awesome history. Letting them remain destroyed gives the Taliban a victory that they didn't deserve and further cuts Afghanistan off from its layered and rich past. Afghanistan will benefit far more from having them reconstructed than it will by honoring its own pillaging. What the hell do they smoke at UNESCO anyway?
Monday, November 17, 2003
Africa is one topic I feel that I never have enough time to master. Please bear with the occasional attempts I make here.
An interesting piece at AllAfrica documents two conflicting tendencies in US policy: advancing human rights in Liberia and retaining good ties with West Africa's regional leader, Nigeria.
In this case, a Congressional initiative calling for sanctions against Nigeria for offering asylum to Liberian despot Charles Taylor seems like a step in the wrong direction. Taylor is a terrible individual who deserves to be tried for war crimes. But the process in Liberia is too fragile to do this now, and Nigeria is playing a positive role by giving Taylor an alibi to leave peaceably.
And, needless to say, as the largest country in Africa, Nigeria is a rather important partner to have.
This is an issue worth revisiting in a few years, depending how the reconstruction of Liberia goes. Dealing with it now raises more problems than it solves.
An interesting piece at AllAfrica documents two conflicting tendencies in US policy: advancing human rights in Liberia and retaining good ties with West Africa's regional leader, Nigeria.
In this case, a Congressional initiative calling for sanctions against Nigeria for offering asylum to Liberian despot Charles Taylor seems like a step in the wrong direction. Taylor is a terrible individual who deserves to be tried for war crimes. But the process in Liberia is too fragile to do this now, and Nigeria is playing a positive role by giving Taylor an alibi to leave peaceably.
And, needless to say, as the largest country in Africa, Nigeria is a rather important partner to have.
This is an issue worth revisiting in a few years, depending how the reconstruction of Liberia goes. Dealing with it now raises more problems than it solves.
Things that should have been done yesterday
Review of copter defenses under way:
In a memo dated November 7, acting Army Secretary R.L. Brownlee suggested that cost was no object to get the 'most effective defensive systems' on all helicopters, and in a handwritten postscript he wrote: 'This is URGENT!'
Review of copter defenses under way:
In a memo dated November 7, acting Army Secretary R.L. Brownlee suggested that cost was no object to get the 'most effective defensive systems' on all helicopters, and in a handwritten postscript he wrote: 'This is URGENT!'
The BBC reports that, while Italian troops risk their lives to create a new, democratic Iraq, an Italian group backs Iraq's insurgents by raising funds for them. That's right, raising funds to help Baathists kill Italian soldiers.
I take some small consolation from the hope that this kind of obscenity will rebound in the faces of these creeps. Back before the war, it was reported that Tony Benn's obsequious interview of Saddam actually helped to galvanize the British public in favor of intervention. Only time will tell, of course.
I take some small consolation from the hope that this kind of obscenity will rebound in the faces of these creeps. Back before the war, it was reported that Tony Benn's obsequious interview of Saddam actually helped to galvanize the British public in favor of intervention. Only time will tell, of course.
Sunday, November 16, 2003
The Guardian reports that a British pol is calling for the EU to issue retaliatory tariffs against the US as a response to our steel tariff. Fair enough. What is loopy is that the proposed tariffs are targeting particular swing states. I quote a list of targeted states:
Florida and its citrus products. The state was the scene of the "hanging chad" saga in the 2000 presidential election, after Mr Bush and Al Gore virtually tied there;
· Wisconsin and its apples and paper. Mr Gore won this state by a tiny margin;
· Tennessee and its chemicals. Mr Bush scored a narrow victory in Mr Gore's home state;
· Iowa and its agricultural equipment. This state will play a key role when the nominations battle starts in January.
This seems a bit much. It's not quite an endorsement, but a bit over the line as far as trying to play a role in another state's election. Imagine what might happen if the US added a huge tariff on French wine on the eve of a French election, would we expect the EU to receive it with equanimity. I hope all four states go to a good Dem, but stay the hell out of our elections, Europe.
(hat tip: Andrew Sullivan)
Florida and its citrus products. The state was the scene of the "hanging chad" saga in the 2000 presidential election, after Mr Bush and Al Gore virtually tied there;
· Wisconsin and its apples and paper. Mr Gore won this state by a tiny margin;
· Tennessee and its chemicals. Mr Bush scored a narrow victory in Mr Gore's home state;
· Iowa and its agricultural equipment. This state will play a key role when the nominations battle starts in January.
This seems a bit much. It's not quite an endorsement, but a bit over the line as far as trying to play a role in another state's election. Imagine what might happen if the US added a huge tariff on French wine on the eve of a French election, would we expect the EU to receive it with equanimity. I hope all four states go to a good Dem, but stay the hell out of our elections, Europe.
(hat tip: Andrew Sullivan)
Cool news of the day:
Scientists map lost Afghan Buddha
Basically, computer models are being generated as a step toward the reconstruction of the ancient Buddha statues destroyed by the Taliban. They would be about $60m each, but I'm sure that there are plenty of Buddhists in Asia who would be happy to finance their reconstruction.
This fits into a broader picture, along with the restoration of the Iraqi marshes and the eventual construction of a new World Trade Center. All testaments to civilization's resilience
Scientists map lost Afghan Buddha
Basically, computer models are being generated as a step toward the reconstruction of the ancient Buddha statues destroyed by the Taliban. They would be about $60m each, but I'm sure that there are plenty of Buddhists in Asia who would be happy to finance their reconstruction.
This fits into a broader picture, along with the restoration of the Iraqi marshes and the eventual construction of a new World Trade Center. All testaments to civilization's resilience
From the invaluable new newspaper Iraq Today comes an encouraging report on the increasing amount of intelligence that Iraqi police are gathering about insurgents. It's a good read, but the fact that the writer and the principal source have the same last name is curious.
Intelligence Yields Results
The bad news is that the number of bombs being found is growing with each day. The good news is that the network of informants that Iraqi police have been building for the last two months is uncovering most of them.
'We now have good information about the resistance action in our area and we are beginning to limit their abilities,' said Aljuburi. 'Every day we discover a new resistance operation. For example, [last Wednesday] we discovered six landmines on the Tikrit -Kirkuk road, three more on the road between Baiji and Mosul, and two mines inside the Baiji area.
Intelligence Yields Results
The bad news is that the number of bombs being found is growing with each day. The good news is that the network of informants that Iraqi police have been building for the last two months is uncovering most of them.
'We now have good information about the resistance action in our area and we are beginning to limit their abilities,' said Aljuburi. 'Every day we discover a new resistance operation. For example, [last Wednesday] we discovered six landmines on the Tikrit -Kirkuk road, three more on the road between Baiji and Mosul, and two mines inside the Baiji area.
In his Hold the Vitriol, Nick Kristof makes an urgent plea for liberals to look beyond their rage.
Liberals have now become as intemperate as conservatives, and the result - everybody shouting at everybody else - corrodes the body politic and is counterproductive for Democrats themselves. My guess is that if the Democrats stay angry, then they'll offend Southern white guys, with or without pickups and flags, and lose again.
The left should have learned from Newt Gingrich that rage impedes understanding — and turns off voters. That's why President Bush was careful in 2000, unlike many in his party, to project amiability and optimism.
On a personal note, I was recently able to get a friend to say that he'd vote for the Green River Killer over President Bush. Kneejerk thinking like that is a nice way to revisit George McGovern's performance in 1972. The circumstances that we're in truly demand a Democrat with real vision and idealism - a 21st century equivalent of the Four Freedoms, or of JFK's call to duty. The likelihood of such a vision emerging as a campaign theme amidst all of this visceral Dubyaphobia is dim.
Liberals have now become as intemperate as conservatives, and the result - everybody shouting at everybody else - corrodes the body politic and is counterproductive for Democrats themselves. My guess is that if the Democrats stay angry, then they'll offend Southern white guys, with or without pickups and flags, and lose again.
The left should have learned from Newt Gingrich that rage impedes understanding — and turns off voters. That's why President Bush was careful in 2000, unlike many in his party, to project amiability and optimism.
On a personal note, I was recently able to get a friend to say that he'd vote for the Green River Killer over President Bush. Kneejerk thinking like that is a nice way to revisit George McGovern's performance in 1972. The circumstances that we're in truly demand a Democrat with real vision and idealism - a 21st century equivalent of the Four Freedoms, or of JFK's call to duty. The likelihood of such a vision emerging as a campaign theme amidst all of this visceral Dubyaphobia is dim.
Saturday, November 15, 2003
The news from Iraq has been terrible lately. But, at the most basic level, it's worth reminding ourselves that it goes beyond the interest of Iraq for us to stay the course. Our own national interest depends on us leaving the country in a better condition than it was when we found it. An Iraqi descent into anarchy or neo-Baathist tyranny would be the worst of all worlds.
With that in mind, consider a recent piece by John Burns, the NY Times' Iraq correspondent. In the wake of the bombing attack on Italian troops, he attempted to interview people at the scene
The New Iraq Is Grim, Hopeful and Still Scary
I asked for quiet so that each man and boy could speak his mind. Unscientific as the poll was, the sentences that flowed expressed a common belief.
'No, no!' one man said. 'If the Americans go, it will be chaos everywhere.' Another shouted, 'There would be a civil war.'
'If the Americans, the British or the Italians leave Iraq, we will be handed back to the flunkies of Saddam, the Baathists and Al Qaeda will take over our cities,' another man said.
Nobody offered a dissenting view, though many said it would be best if the Americans achieved peace and left as soon as possible. These people, at least, seemed concerned that America should know that the bombers, whoever they were, did not speak for the ordinary citizens of Iraq.
With that in mind, consider a recent piece by John Burns, the NY Times' Iraq correspondent. In the wake of the bombing attack on Italian troops, he attempted to interview people at the scene
The New Iraq Is Grim, Hopeful and Still Scary
I asked for quiet so that each man and boy could speak his mind. Unscientific as the poll was, the sentences that flowed expressed a common belief.
'No, no!' one man said. 'If the Americans go, it will be chaos everywhere.' Another shouted, 'There would be a civil war.'
'If the Americans, the British or the Italians leave Iraq, we will be handed back to the flunkies of Saddam, the Baathists and Al Qaeda will take over our cities,' another man said.
Nobody offered a dissenting view, though many said it would be best if the Americans achieved peace and left as soon as possible. These people, at least, seemed concerned that America should know that the bombers, whoever they were, did not speak for the ordinary citizens of Iraq.
Kris Lofgren is currently offering very good coverage of the bombings in Istanbul. Some harrowing photos are there as well.
Tuesday, November 04, 2003
I just finished watching the Democratic candidates, minus Richard Gephardt, debate in Boston before a youthful audience. I can't fully analyze the debate, but here are some impressions that I formed:
John Kerry is placing serious emphasis on his resume. This is, perhaps, his greatest strength, but it did lead him to go over time on a few occasions. But his resume does give him a wedge of sorts against Howard Dean, particularly on the issue of gun control. Also, he capitalized on a softball thrown to him by a baseball fan; by answering a question about the Red Sox, he managed to seem more like an ordinary guy.
John Edwards waxed wonkish this evening - he was fairly willing to enunciate his specific plans and his agenda. His presentation was fairly enthusiastic and vigorous. And, I think he did score off of Howard Dean on his comment about Confederate flags. Leaving aside the issue of whether invoking that is insensitive to African-Americans, it's fairly clear that it is fairly condescending to Southerners. By saying that, Dean probably cut into any potential base he may have in the South and Edwards was right to call him on it. The vast majority of Southern Democrats who do not fly Confederate flags are likely to resent being caricatured by a smug guy from Vermont.
Howard Dean was emphatic but didn't react well to attacks made on his flag remark by Edwards and Sharpton. Mostly he just responded by making points that no one would disagree with. He seems careless enough to let his mouth run and cocky enough not to want to revise things he's said. I'll admit that I'm not that fond of him, since I think he's the poster child for smugness.
Can someone ring a gong and have Dennis Kucinich removed from the stage? When asked about the wisdom of substituting the UN for the US in Iraq, he seemed utterly clueless, blathering that if it was wrong to enter Iraq, it was therefore wrong to stay. The point of UN incompetence in the 90s - particularly in the Balkans - was lost on him. Nor do I think he's familiar with the graft that occurred under the UN's management of the Oil For Food program.
Carol Mosely-Braun may not be a viable candidate, but she really exudes passion, common sense, and good humor. Watching her up there makes me sad that she didn't win reelection in 1998.
Wesley Clark was wearing a strange shirt but seemed plain-spoken and relaxed up there. The question of his policy on the war wasn't explored that deeply, but it probably remains his Achilles heel, since it's not really clear what it was.
Richard Gephardt should not have missed this debate. He's emerging as a frontrunner, and more than anyone else speaks to the blue collar wing of the party, plus he may be capitalizing on his forthright support for the war. I almost turned off the TV when I realized that he'd be absent.
Joe Lieberman was good but not great. Likeable but not remarkable.
Al Sharpton is some kind of onstage color commentator. He's funny, but when candidates start going into resume mode, I wonder if he should be citing his contributing role in the Crown Heights riot or being sued for slander in the Tawana Brawley affair. He and Kucinich are the two candidates whose nomination would make me consider voting for Bush.
