September 16, 2008
February 24, 2008
January 19, 2008
The Bush Tragedy
In my July 24 and September 3, 2007 post "Post-Mortem on the Bush Presidency (Part I and II), I provided my analysis of this failed presidency. There was a book released January 15th, 2008 (today) called "The Bush Tragedy." In my earlier op-eds, it was my struggle to try and understand how this person could be elected president, then re-elected, despite what seemed to a consensus of many of an incompetent leader. "The Bush Tragedy" by Jacob Weisberg ( I have only previewed it) provides a psychological/historical analysis of this president. Weisberg is not a professional psychologist nor a professional historian, but the book it is good and I think will receive fairly good reviews (I venture a guess - a B- review). What strikes me is that some of the ideas and themes I wrote about in the "Post-Mortem" op-eds half a year ago are eerily similar. Weisberg includes research and familiarity with the Bush family- mine was from everyday news listening.
Election 2008, The Times They Are a Changin
I feel vindicated. In my September 3rd, 2007 post (60's,70's again), I simply entered the lyrics of the Bob Dylan song "The Times They Are a Changin." The theme of the 2008 elections started with Barak Obama " CHANGE." Now all the other candidates, democratic and republican are echoing the words.
January 9, 2008
Unrealistic Hopes for 2008 Revisted
In my December 30th, 2007 blog, I wrote of unrealistic hopes for 2008. Number one was that super tuesday of the primary elections would overturn the Iowa caucus and NH primary results - so these states would have less influence in picking presidential candidates. Since these events are now history, overturning the results on the democratic side on super tuesday would likely have put Joe Biden or Chris Dodd as front runners, but it is not to be, since they dropped out the race. I liked Joe Biden, here is what he said:
"Barack Obama hasn't passed any bills. There's not a major bill I know of with Hillary's name on it. John Edwards has only passed 4 bills. They are all about post offices - I mean, literally."
Aime Casavant
"Barack Obama hasn't passed any bills. There's not a major bill I know of with Hillary's name on it. John Edwards has only passed 4 bills. They are all about post offices - I mean, literally."
Aime Casavant
December 30, 2007
Unrealistic Hopes for 2008
1. The Super Tuesday states upset the Iowa and New Hampshire winners as a way to diminish the importance that is given on these two states in the primaries. The start of something good.
2. The U.S. under George W Bush takes the world lead in in efforts to reduce global warming.
3. Al-Quida continues causing trouble in its own region of the world so those Arab countries and others riding on the fence turn against them as they did in Iraq ( this one is a possibility)
4. Large,unexpected advances are made in the free world and the U.S. in establishing alternative sources of energy - to reduce to an appreciable affect, the western worlds dependence on oil from the middle east. Something George W Bush seems to have finally understood after 7 years of being president.
5. More success occurs in Iraq, particularly security and political re-conciliation due to Al-Quida messing around in that area - allowing the U.S. to reduce its military presence there.
6. Pakistan has reasonably acceptable democratic elections, regardless who the winner might be. A stable Pakistan is one of the most important things for the world right now.
7. Democrats get their heads together and realize all other nominees are a role of the dice and Joe Biden or Chris Dodd are nominated for their party for president, two candidates who can surely beat any republican in the race. The country needs change and a different political party to take us into the next 4 years. This includes giving the senate and house more democrats so legislation can get passed.
8. Countries of the world, through the U.N. vote a resolution that nuclear weaponry is too great of a threat to the planet, and bans nuclear weapons as instruments of war - to be verified by by a strong U.N. inspection team.
9. The U.S. leads the world in a program to reduce greatly, child abuse and neglect throughout the world.
10. The greatest discovery ever made occurs provides a cure for all forms of cancer - the magic bullet.
11. The U.S. legislative and executive branch stops rewarding Americans who do not save to take care of their basic personal needs such as housing, healthcare, long term care. Basically force them to stop buying 48 inch television screens, expensive cars and boats and forces them to re-prioritize to put first responsibilities first and not depend on the government.
12. Congress and the executive branch let the banks and borrowers who wallowed in sub-prime mortgages, incurring debt and credit to fail in their own mess, and make sure Americans who loaned and borrowed with prudence and sensibility prosper.
13. The U.S. voters recognize the damage that the religious right has done to this country in mixing religion with politices ( i.e. electing George W Bush, incompetent to run the country) and allow history to record the type of damage this has done, so it never happens again.
14. The peace process that was jump started by Condelezza Rice actually takes hold, Palistine establishes its own country, becomes a memeber of the U.N. with all rights and privileges. The Bush presidency was late, but hopefully successful where no others have.
15. The countries of the world all come to understand, appreciate and incorporate into their U.N. priorities, Carl Sagan, astrophysicist, perceptions of the world, making it the centerpiece of their existence.
2. The U.S. under George W Bush takes the world lead in in efforts to reduce global warming.
3. Al-Quida continues causing trouble in its own region of the world so those Arab countries and others riding on the fence turn against them as they did in Iraq ( this one is a possibility)
4. Large,unexpected advances are made in the free world and the U.S. in establishing alternative sources of energy - to reduce to an appreciable affect, the western worlds dependence on oil from the middle east. Something George W Bush seems to have finally understood after 7 years of being president.
5. More success occurs in Iraq, particularly security and political re-conciliation due to Al-Quida messing around in that area - allowing the U.S. to reduce its military presence there.
6. Pakistan has reasonably acceptable democratic elections, regardless who the winner might be. A stable Pakistan is one of the most important things for the world right now.
7. Democrats get their heads together and realize all other nominees are a role of the dice and Joe Biden or Chris Dodd are nominated for their party for president, two candidates who can surely beat any republican in the race. The country needs change and a different political party to take us into the next 4 years. This includes giving the senate and house more democrats so legislation can get passed.
8. Countries of the world, through the U.N. vote a resolution that nuclear weaponry is too great of a threat to the planet, and bans nuclear weapons as instruments of war - to be verified by by a strong U.N. inspection team.
9. The U.S. leads the world in a program to reduce greatly, child abuse and neglect throughout the world.
10. The greatest discovery ever made occurs provides a cure for all forms of cancer - the magic bullet.
11. The U.S. legislative and executive branch stops rewarding Americans who do not save to take care of their basic personal needs such as housing, healthcare, long term care. Basically force them to stop buying 48 inch television screens, expensive cars and boats and forces them to re-prioritize to put first responsibilities first and not depend on the government.
12. Congress and the executive branch let the banks and borrowers who wallowed in sub-prime mortgages, incurring debt and credit to fail in their own mess, and make sure Americans who loaned and borrowed with prudence and sensibility prosper.
13. The U.S. voters recognize the damage that the religious right has done to this country in mixing religion with politices ( i.e. electing George W Bush, incompetent to run the country) and allow history to record the type of damage this has done, so it never happens again.
14. The peace process that was jump started by Condelezza Rice actually takes hold, Palistine establishes its own country, becomes a memeber of the U.N. with all rights and privileges. The Bush presidency was late, but hopefully successful where no others have.
15. The countries of the world all come to understand, appreciate and incorporate into their U.N. priorities, Carl Sagan, astrophysicist, perceptions of the world, making it the centerpiece of their existence.
December 3, 2007
What Matters?
The greatest problems facing humankind in terms of urgency, as I see the planet:
1. Nuclear Detonation
2. Global Warming
3. Child Neglect and Abuse*
4. Non-renewable Sources of Energy
5. Disparity in the Advancement between Human Social Thought and Technological Knowledge (we know how to detonate a nuclear weapon but do not know how to live together in peace and harmony)
6. Disease
7. Famine
8. Tyranny **
* Child neglect and abuse used to be #1 on the list, reasoning that a human mind is a terrible thing to waste. It is with healthy human minds that all other problems are eventually resolved.
** Tyranny defined as the absence of human freedom and liberty. This is the only problem where there seems to be slow but increasing improvement. In 1776 there was only one democracy in the world based on the ideas of human liberty. Today, of the 194 (192 U.N. registered) countries in the world 26 are full fledged democracies where human liberties abound. There are 76 more countries that have some form of democracy - we could call them flawed democracies (e.g. Russia). Human liberty and freedom is moving forward slowly over the planet, slow but unstoppable.
1. Nuclear Detonation
2. Global Warming
3. Child Neglect and Abuse*
4. Non-renewable Sources of Energy
5. Disparity in the Advancement between Human Social Thought and Technological Knowledge (we know how to detonate a nuclear weapon but do not know how to live together in peace and harmony)
6. Disease
7. Famine
8. Tyranny **
* Child neglect and abuse used to be #1 on the list, reasoning that a human mind is a terrible thing to waste. It is with healthy human minds that all other problems are eventually resolved.
** Tyranny defined as the absence of human freedom and liberty. This is the only problem where there seems to be slow but increasing improvement. In 1776 there was only one democracy in the world based on the ideas of human liberty. Today, of the 194 (192 U.N. registered) countries in the world 26 are full fledged democracies where human liberties abound. There are 76 more countries that have some form of democracy - we could call them flawed democracies (e.g. Russia). Human liberty and freedom is moving forward slowly over the planet, slow but unstoppable.
November 26, 2007
Iraq - Hope Springs Eternal 2nd Posting
The hope for success and an end to the Iraq war (see September 8th Posting)seems brighter. The Petraeus report in September seemed to dash hopes for me - there just did not seem like enough success at that time.
But luck has been with the U.S. and it comes from no other than Al Quida. They went into Iraq - a huge mistake for them and now the U.S., if it plays its card right, can snatch a victory from what was a black hole of death. Nothing can unite a people more than a common enemy and the Iraqi's found out they had one in Al Quida. They came together enough to drive this enemy out. The violence has gone down in Iraq, in Anbar but of more significance,in Bagdad.
Hope springs eternal. During this time, with the U.S. help, the security in the country has improved. The hope is that this is not just a respite from success in driving out Al Quida. Have the factions realized that outside insurgents are a greater threat to their peace and well being than the historical hatreds they have harbored and from which they have sought such bloody revenge? To me, the outcome now seems brighter.
It is ironic that Al Quida made the same mistake the U.S. did. They went into Iraq with the intention of causing violence and death. Hopefully, this is the beginning of the end of this long nightmare and the U.S. can soon begin the long process of repairing the damage it has done to itself in the world ( after Vietnam, it took 30 years). Now do things correctly and concentrate on necessary solutions like properly fighting terrorism, joining the Kyoto Protocol, work with the world in reducing the nuclear threat and find alternative sources of energy. Hope springs eternal.
Aime Casavant
But luck has been with the U.S. and it comes from no other than Al Quida. They went into Iraq - a huge mistake for them and now the U.S., if it plays its card right, can snatch a victory from what was a black hole of death. Nothing can unite a people more than a common enemy and the Iraqi's found out they had one in Al Quida. They came together enough to drive this enemy out. The violence has gone down in Iraq, in Anbar but of more significance,in Bagdad.
Hope springs eternal. During this time, with the U.S. help, the security in the country has improved. The hope is that this is not just a respite from success in driving out Al Quida. Have the factions realized that outside insurgents are a greater threat to their peace and well being than the historical hatreds they have harbored and from which they have sought such bloody revenge? To me, the outcome now seems brighter.
It is ironic that Al Quida made the same mistake the U.S. did. They went into Iraq with the intention of causing violence and death. Hopefully, this is the beginning of the end of this long nightmare and the U.S. can soon begin the long process of repairing the damage it has done to itself in the world ( after Vietnam, it took 30 years). Now do things correctly and concentrate on necessary solutions like properly fighting terrorism, joining the Kyoto Protocol, work with the world in reducing the nuclear threat and find alternative sources of energy. Hope springs eternal.
Aime Casavant
November 24, 2007
Thoreau on Wisdom
"All worldly wisdom was once the unamiable heresy of one wise person" - Henry David Thoreau
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