The suspicions I voiced in my July 11 post -- that Bush was yanking our chain when he said he'd provide help in Liberia -- turns out to be untrue. Of course, he didn't say whom he'd help. Moral outrage. Strong words disguising vague promises. "Monitoring the situation." Inaction. That's basically been Washington's policy toward Africa since the end of the Cold War. And the consequence is always slaughter.
Should have known Bush was putting us on when he said the US would go in as part of a multinational force. "Multinational force." Where did that come from? Isn't that a reprehensible phrase to the ideologs in the White House? The idea that US forces would be standing side by side with UN blue helmets must have sent a shudder up the spine of Rumsfeld and sent Cheney running to the Red Phone in his secured location to tell his boss that that's not an option.
But, according to Fred Kaplan in Slate, they'd better get used to the idea -- and fast -- unless we want further decay in Iraq and eventual embarrassment. It will be interesting to see in the coming weeks how this plays out. When Rumsfeld's own team of investigators tells him that a UN force is vital and needed immediately, can he work past his own ideology to adapt to the idea?
Unlikely, I know. The worse the effect their policies are having, the more likely they are to dig in and declare victory. Whether it's the effect of carbon dioxide on the environment or the effect of tax cuts on a ballooning deficit, they represent the West Wing equivalent of the "Dead Parrot Sketch."
I too wondered what it is that she does.
Finally, someone who reminds the vega that it isn't a lonely voice in the wilderness. There are some on the left who are still able to direct the rage at practical solutions. Todd Gitlin, interviewed in Salon (it's worth the daypass -- go to Tom Tomorrow as a bonus reward), tells the Greens to get over it and the left in general to end the circular firing squads.
*****
What un Tour!
Posts may be few and far between in the next week and a half as I leave gloomy New England for sunny California. I may even catch a couple of games at the Bonds Boardroom. I'll report back on the experience.
Should have known Bush was putting us on when he said the US would go in as part of a multinational force. "Multinational force." Where did that come from? Isn't that a reprehensible phrase to the ideologs in the White House? The idea that US forces would be standing side by side with UN blue helmets must have sent a shudder up the spine of Rumsfeld and sent Cheney running to the Red Phone in his secured location to tell his boss that that's not an option.
But, according to Fred Kaplan in Slate, they'd better get used to the idea -- and fast -- unless we want further decay in Iraq and eventual embarrassment. It will be interesting to see in the coming weeks how this plays out. When Rumsfeld's own team of investigators tells him that a UN force is vital and needed immediately, can he work past his own ideology to adapt to the idea?
Unlikely, I know. The worse the effect their policies are having, the more likely they are to dig in and declare victory. Whether it's the effect of carbon dioxide on the environment or the effect of tax cuts on a ballooning deficit, they represent the West Wing equivalent of the "Dead Parrot Sketch."
I too wondered what it is that she does.
Finally, someone who reminds the vega that it isn't a lonely voice in the wilderness. There are some on the left who are still able to direct the rage at practical solutions. Todd Gitlin, interviewed in Salon (it's worth the daypass -- go to Tom Tomorrow as a bonus reward), tells the Greens to get over it and the left in general to end the circular firing squads.
*****
What un Tour!
Posts may be few and far between in the next week and a half as I leave gloomy New England for sunny California. I may even catch a couple of games at the Bonds Boardroom. I'll report back on the experience.
posted by John at 4:09 PM
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