It looks like the theocracy in Iran isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Think about it for a moment.
In the zero sum game of Middle Eastern politics succession issues are normally resolved via the bullet rather than the ballot. But for the sake of discussion, let's assume that the opposition will have bullets -- lots of them. Then where would the leaders of the current regime go?
Iraq and Afghanistan? Not likely; too many American Soldiers there.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE? They were never fans of Iran's Shiite strain of Islam.
Jordan? Too close to Washington.
Syria? Not terribly secure.
In other words, it's not like they could flee and live out there years comfortably. Moreover, they would feel as if they had targets on their back. (The Mossad, I'm sure, wouldn't mind terminating a few of the mullahs.) Ironically, Iran may be the safest place for them -- as long as they hold power.
Furthermore, think of the shame of fleeing -- just like the Shah did 30 years ago.
So, it's likely that they're going to stay or die trying. In the interim, they will ratchet up the violence to keep the protesters in line.
A lot of blood may be shed, but it may not change a thing.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
John Kerry's To Do List for Today
He's running downfield interference for our suddently inarticulate President -- when the topic is Iran. (A pesky distraction.)
JKF gets extra credit for denouncing unnamed neocons. Good to know that he's not harboring any resentment over his 2004 loss for the White House.
JKF gets extra credit for denouncing unnamed neocons. Good to know that he's not harboring any resentment over his 2004 loss for the White House.
What Bush Wrought
Twenty years ago I had the good fortune to be living in Germany.
You may recall that a wall in the city of Berlin collapsed late in 1989. Although I visited the wall earlier that summer, I had a notion it wouldn't be standing much longer. The wall separated the free people of the west from the oppressed people of the east.
About a quarter century before, President John Kennedy visited the divided city and claimed solidarity with the citizens of Berlin. A couple of decades later, President Ronald Reagan demanded that the Communist party secretary of the Soviet Union (rather than the East German leadership) to tear down the wall.
Both were admirable sentiments; I'm not sure they were persuasive.
But like the walls of Jericho, it came a tumblin' down.
In Iran, there are protesters -- perhaps tens of thousands of them -- defying death threats. Originally it was to denounce a blatantly rigged election and now it's morphed into something more -- perhaps an existential threat to the theocrats that have ruled that nation for the last thirty years.
Some have claimed that President Barrack Obama's recent speech in Cairo have encouraged the protesters.
Get real.
The President's speech may be historic, but it certainly wasn't memorable. For as hyped an orator as he is -- do you recall the takeaway quote? Neither do I.
Over the past several years the Iranians have seen their neighbors -- the Afghans and the Iraqis -- vote. Were those elections perfect? Hardly. But they were fair enough to lead some in Iran to believe that they should have the same opportunity. (And you have to believe that the Iranians think themselves as superior to their neighbors.)
Even in an election where the candidates were approved by the mullahs (who hold the real power).
So you have a situation where the results of a sham election are so obviously rigged (why it would take the Administration time to figure that out is beyond me) the masses have simply had enough.
Now this protests have become something that nobody -- except those who believe in freedom -- could have expected. Or, perhaps the guy who made free elections possible in Afghanistan and Iraq.
George W. Bush.
And he wasn't known for his speeches. Go figure.
You may recall that a wall in the city of Berlin collapsed late in 1989. Although I visited the wall earlier that summer, I had a notion it wouldn't be standing much longer. The wall separated the free people of the west from the oppressed people of the east.
About a quarter century before, President John Kennedy visited the divided city and claimed solidarity with the citizens of Berlin. A couple of decades later, President Ronald Reagan demanded that the Communist party secretary of the Soviet Union (rather than the East German leadership) to tear down the wall.
Both were admirable sentiments; I'm not sure they were persuasive.
But like the walls of Jericho, it came a tumblin' down.
It wasn't the biggest surprise when the wall ultimately fell. By 1989, the Iron Curtain was rusting and East Europeans were scurrying through the cracks. After years, nay decades, of a second class existence -- brought on by an accident of geography -- the populace was voting on foot to greener pastures in the West. After a while you realize that you can only tolerate so much.
In Iran, there are protesters -- perhaps tens of thousands of them -- defying death threats. Originally it was to denounce a blatantly rigged election and now it's morphed into something more -- perhaps an existential threat to the theocrats that have ruled that nation for the last thirty years.
Some have claimed that President Barrack Obama's recent speech in Cairo have encouraged the protesters.
Get real.
The President's speech may be historic, but it certainly wasn't memorable. For as hyped an orator as he is -- do you recall the takeaway quote? Neither do I.
Over the past several years the Iranians have seen their neighbors -- the Afghans and the Iraqis -- vote. Were those elections perfect? Hardly. But they were fair enough to lead some in Iran to believe that they should have the same opportunity. (And you have to believe that the Iranians think themselves as superior to their neighbors.)
Even in an election where the candidates were approved by the mullahs (who hold the real power).
So you have a situation where the results of a sham election are so obviously rigged (why it would take the Administration time to figure that out is beyond me) the masses have simply had enough.
Now this protests have become something that nobody -- except those who believe in freedom -- could have expected. Or, perhaps the guy who made free elections possible in Afghanistan and Iraq.
George W. Bush.
And he wasn't known for his speeches. Go figure.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Type In "Walpin" and...wait
Type in "Gerald Walpin" in the search engines of the New York Daily News and the New York Times and you get, well, nothing.
The New York Post, in contrast, has a couple of references to him.
In some circles, what Mr. Walpin has to say, seems like a pretty important deal.
One could conclude that the Daily News and the Times are running interference for the President since Mr. Walpin is highly critical of the man who fired him.
Some may miss the era of the big city newspaper when it comes. (And it will come.)
I won't.
The New York Post, in contrast, has a couple of references to him.
In some circles, what Mr. Walpin has to say, seems like a pretty important deal.
One could conclude that the Daily News and the Times are running interference for the President since Mr. Walpin is highly critical of the man who fired him.
Some may miss the era of the big city newspaper when it comes. (And it will come.)
I won't.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Intel Failure?
Perhaps.
Given the cautious approach that Team Obama is taking to the events unfolding in Iran, one can't help but wonder if they have been blindsided.
For an election that was held (and called) on a Saturday, it was definitely disappointing to hear the Vice President say, in a Sunday morning interview, that they (the administration) were going to review what occurred.
(Unfortunately the interview wasn't all that it was cracked up to be -- Biden invited David Gregory over to his house afterwards. I could never imagine Russert and Cheney yukking it up after a MTP episode. )
Biden's tepid response suggests that our layers of intelligence didn't list that the election would be stolen for Mahmoud Amhadinejad and tens of thousands would protest as a probability.
There is, of course, the political calculus. President Obama, doesn't want to be in a position where his support would diminish the standing of the protesters, nor does he want to be seen as losing a chance to nudge an internal reformation of the Iranian regime. There's a reason why he voted "present" so often as a state senator.
In any event, it seems that he had to start at square one or somewhere close to it.
As to the way forward -- it seems that they believe that flexibility is the key to indecision.
Given the cautious approach that Team Obama is taking to the events unfolding in Iran, one can't help but wonder if they have been blindsided.
For an election that was held (and called) on a Saturday, it was definitely disappointing to hear the Vice President say, in a Sunday morning interview, that they (the administration) were going to review what occurred.
(Unfortunately the interview wasn't all that it was cracked up to be -- Biden invited David Gregory over to his house afterwards. I could never imagine Russert and Cheney yukking it up after a MTP episode. )
Biden's tepid response suggests that our layers of intelligence didn't list that the election would be stolen for Mahmoud Amhadinejad and tens of thousands would protest as a probability.
There is, of course, the political calculus. President Obama, doesn't want to be in a position where his support would diminish the standing of the protesters, nor does he want to be seen as losing a chance to nudge an internal reformation of the Iranian regime. There's a reason why he voted "present" so often as a state senator.
In any event, it seems that he had to start at square one or somewhere close to it.
As to the way forward -- it seems that they believe that flexibility is the key to indecision.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
House of Hypocrisy
From the Associated Press:
MANCHESTER, Tenn. (AP) - Bruce Springsteen astonished the Bonnaroo crowd with a passionate three-hour performance, offering sweat and rock 'n' roll to inspire, he said, in "hard times."
...
"We didn't come all the way down to the beautiful Tennessee hills just to rock the house," said Springsteen early in the performance. "We came down here tonight because we want to build a house. That's right. Right here in this field. ... A house of love. A house of hope."
Sure, but given the ticket prices that were charged, the only thing being built was Springsteen's bank account. Big time.
BTW, we're certainly living in the "Age of Obama" when part of the price of admission is a mandated charitable donation.
MANCHESTER, Tenn. (AP) - Bruce Springsteen astonished the Bonnaroo crowd with a passionate three-hour performance, offering sweat and rock 'n' roll to inspire, he said, in "hard times."
...
"We didn't come all the way down to the beautiful Tennessee hills just to rock the house," said Springsteen early in the performance. "We came down here tonight because we want to build a house. That's right. Right here in this field. ... A house of love. A house of hope."
Sure, but given the ticket prices that were charged, the only thing being built was Springsteen's bank account. Big time.
BTW, we're certainly living in the "Age of Obama" when part of the price of admission is a mandated charitable donation.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Ruminations
REHAB: Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) is being treated -- once-again -- for an undisclosed ailment. The Congressman, the son of the ailing Senator Kennedy of Massachusetts, has been treated before for depression, alcoholism, and drug addiction. In a statement, Kennedy noted, "...he will do whatever it takes to preserve his health." Everything that is but resign his seat.
BUS TOSS: It seems that David Letterman was deemed expendable by the folks over at the National Organization of Women. (After all, Letterman is a cantankerous over the hill talk show host.) Too bad they lost their cred when they failed to support Jones, Broderick, and Wiley ten years ago when NOW had a shred of credibility.
DARE NOT SPEAK ITS NAME: Here's how a joke about statuatory rape is now being described: "... and the now oft-repeated joke about Palin’s daughter and Alex Rodriguez..." Given that description, how harmful could it be?
EMPATHY: If Mr. & Mrs. Obama want to dine in the Big Apple and in the City of Lights, go ahead. But in times like these, doesn't it strike one as being a bit out of touch?
INVITES: So much for any plan to invite both Rahm Emanuel and Jeremiah Wright to the same party. Seems the latter has a problem with the former's beliefs. A team of rivals indeed.
YOUR NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER AT WORK: Regular readers of this blog saw this happening from Day One.
DESPAIR & STATUS QUO: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wins in Iran. If this had been a real election than a simple circus, there'd be something to talk about.
BUS TOSS: It seems that David Letterman was deemed expendable by the folks over at the National Organization of Women. (After all, Letterman is a cantankerous over the hill talk show host.) Too bad they lost their cred when they failed to support Jones, Broderick, and Wiley ten years ago when NOW had a shred of credibility.
DARE NOT SPEAK ITS NAME: Here's how a joke about statuatory rape is now being described: "... and the now oft-repeated joke about Palin’s daughter and Alex Rodriguez..." Given that description, how harmful could it be?
EMPATHY: If Mr. & Mrs. Obama want to dine in the Big Apple and in the City of Lights, go ahead. But in times like these, doesn't it strike one as being a bit out of touch?
INVITES: So much for any plan to invite both Rahm Emanuel and Jeremiah Wright to the same party. Seems the latter has a problem with the former's beliefs. A team of rivals indeed.
YOUR NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER AT WORK: Regular readers of this blog saw this happening from Day One.
DESPAIR & STATUS QUO: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wins in Iran. If this had been a real election than a simple circus, there'd be something to talk about.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
What Biden Is Really Saying...
I'm looking forward to this Sunday's Meet the Press with Joe Biden as the guest.
I expect that David Gregory will be as easy on the Vice President as Lesley Stahl was a few weeks back. If Joe errs, it won't be Gregory's fault. After all he probably enjoys the DC cocktail circuit as much as anyone.
But I will be disappointed if the Veep doesn't say something stupid which will probably be the story of the day on Sunday.
Unfortunately for Joe, there is now the expectation that he will say something silly. His track record demonstrates a proclivity to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Or simply a politically tone-deaf notion. Go here and here and here to check out a few.
Despite the gaffes, Biden is not a stupid man. He's been re-elected a few times to represent the folks of Delaware in the Senate.
By my lights, he's not being served well by his staff. It is a bit of a surprise since his staff was considered to consist of political heavyweights. If so, these heavyweights don't know the first rule of staff work -- don't make the boss look bad. (Somebody should have prepped the Veep on the nature of the new Hudson River Tunnel.)
Of course, the fact that Biden has kept these under-performing staffers says plenty about Joe.
And it will say a lot about Obama if he keeps Biden on the ticket in 2012.
I expect that David Gregory will be as easy on the Vice President as Lesley Stahl was a few weeks back. If Joe errs, it won't be Gregory's fault. After all he probably enjoys the DC cocktail circuit as much as anyone.
But I will be disappointed if the Veep doesn't say something stupid which will probably be the story of the day on Sunday.
Unfortunately for Joe, there is now the expectation that he will say something silly. His track record demonstrates a proclivity to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Or simply a politically tone-deaf notion. Go here and here and here to check out a few.
Despite the gaffes, Biden is not a stupid man. He's been re-elected a few times to represent the folks of Delaware in the Senate.
By my lights, he's not being served well by his staff. It is a bit of a surprise since his staff was considered to consist of political heavyweights. If so, these heavyweights don't know the first rule of staff work -- don't make the boss look bad. (Somebody should have prepped the Veep on the nature of the new Hudson River Tunnel.)
Of course, the fact that Biden has kept these under-performing staffers says plenty about Joe.
And it will say a lot about Obama if he keeps Biden on the ticket in 2012.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Time For Letterman to Pack It In?
Sure.
It's not as if he's funny any more as he resorts to joking about statuatory rape; nor is he bringing in the ratings, either. (He's been losing to Nightline on ABC for crying out loud.)
I think his attraction is the same as Bruce Springsteen -- people remember him for what he was in the 1980's and 1990's -- not for who is now. (Does anyone ever yell at a Springsteen show -- "Hey, Bruce play the new stuff!" I don't think so.)
Curiously both have become hit men for the left as they age (and get richer). Go figure.
I've discussed Letterman's shtick before noting how it's become stale and bitter. There's no need to review it again.
Nonetheless, CBS seems intent to have him on the air for a few more years -- hoping to pick up those who don't get Conan O'Brien's sense of humor. However, with Leno coming on at 10 PM this fall, Letterman may be hurt. (Why stay up to hear jokes at 11:35 when you can hear them at 10 PM?)
With the economy they way it is, you would think CBS would be a bit more careful about how it spends its money on an aging partistan has been.
It's not as if he's funny any more as he resorts to joking about statuatory rape; nor is he bringing in the ratings, either. (He's been losing to Nightline on ABC for crying out loud.)
I think his attraction is the same as Bruce Springsteen -- people remember him for what he was in the 1980's and 1990's -- not for who is now. (Does anyone ever yell at a Springsteen show -- "Hey, Bruce play the new stuff!" I don't think so.)
Curiously both have become hit men for the left as they age (and get richer). Go figure.
I've discussed Letterman's shtick before noting how it's become stale and bitter. There's no need to review it again.
Nonetheless, CBS seems intent to have him on the air for a few more years -- hoping to pick up those who don't get Conan O'Brien's sense of humor. However, with Leno coming on at 10 PM this fall, Letterman may be hurt. (Why stay up to hear jokes at 11:35 when you can hear them at 10 PM?)
With the economy they way it is, you would think CBS would be a bit more careful about how it spends its money on an aging partistan has been.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Your National Security Advisor At Work
The headline writer over at the Associated Press did not do any favors for National Security Spokesmodel*, James Jones, with the headline: "National security adviser: US safer under Obama."
Jones had the misfortune of speaking to the Atlantic Council in the wake of a North Korea's renunciation of the 1953 armistice which ended the Korean War. The timing was akin to a global warming protest delayed by snowfall.
Jones didn't roam too far off Team Obama's talking points reservation, regarding efforts to get out of Iraq, revamping the strategy in Afghanistan, and the campaign to repair the U.S. reputation aroad.
Of course, getting out of Iraq may take several years; a new commander and more troops signifies a new capability in Afghanistan, not necessarily a revamped strategy; and if you apologize enough, I'm sure more folks will like you.
More noticeably -- and in recognition that criticism from former Vice President Dick Cheney is getting traction -- Jones offered that Guantanamo has served as a recruitment tool for insurgents and as a result has probably (emphasis mine) created more terrorststs than it detained.
Now Jones would be in a position to know if this was true or not. A few questions should be asked of our vast intelligence capability:
- Is there an upswing in jihadist propaganda on the Internet seeking recruits on behalf of those captured?
- What are those recently captured/detained saying about Guantanamo?
Perhaps Jones is right, (although the use of the word "probably" gives him plenty of wriggle room) but I have yet to see any empirical evidence to suggest that it is true. Yet this assertion -- repeated ad nauseum, corrupts the debate.
We should expect better.
* If General Jones can ride his bike to McLean from the White House for lunch as the national security adviser, it's obvious that he's on board for who he was -- a USMC commandant and a commander of NATO forces in Europe -- so that Team Obama can have a patina of gravitas when it comes to national security. It's difficult for one to think that he's developing strategy.
Jones had the misfortune of speaking to the Atlantic Council in the wake of a North Korea's renunciation of the 1953 armistice which ended the Korean War. The timing was akin to a global warming protest delayed by snowfall.
Jones didn't roam too far off Team Obama's talking points reservation, regarding efforts to get out of Iraq, revamping the strategy in Afghanistan, and the campaign to repair the U.S. reputation aroad.
Of course, getting out of Iraq may take several years; a new commander and more troops signifies a new capability in Afghanistan, not necessarily a revamped strategy; and if you apologize enough, I'm sure more folks will like you.
More noticeably -- and in recognition that criticism from former Vice President Dick Cheney is getting traction -- Jones offered that Guantanamo has served as a recruitment tool for insurgents and as a result has probably (emphasis mine) created more terrorststs than it detained.
Now Jones would be in a position to know if this was true or not. A few questions should be asked of our vast intelligence capability:
- Is there an upswing in jihadist propaganda on the Internet seeking recruits on behalf of those captured?
- What are those recently captured/detained saying about Guantanamo?
Perhaps Jones is right, (although the use of the word "probably" gives him plenty of wriggle room) but I have yet to see any empirical evidence to suggest that it is true. Yet this assertion -- repeated ad nauseum, corrupts the debate.
We should expect better.
* If General Jones can ride his bike to McLean from the White House for lunch as the national security adviser, it's obvious that he's on board for who he was -- a USMC commandant and a commander of NATO forces in Europe -- so that Team Obama can have a patina of gravitas when it comes to national security. It's difficult for one to think that he's developing strategy.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Bitterness
You'll learn a lot more about Mike Lupica than you will of Rush Limbaugh, Dick Cheney, and (the sainted) Colin Powell, the putative topics in Lupica's column, today.
You'll see Lupica for what he is -- another angry white male.
You'll see Lupica for what he is -- another angry white male.
Big Papi and The General
I'm not a Boston Red Sox fan, but I can't help but notice the decline in offensive production by David Ortiz a/k/a "Big Papi." Once a feared hitter, his batting average has now slipped below the "Mendoza Line" and seems to be in free fall. In one game against the Mets this weekend, he struck out three times. The one time he made contact with the ball, he hit into a double play.
Out of respect for his (previously) clutch play, his manager, Terry Francona has had Ortiz bat third. However, it seems likely that he will now bat lower in the order until he gets his numbers up. (And that appears to be a big "if" at this point as he strikes out every four times he bats. )
Officially, he's listed as 33, but there's been a pattern of players born in the Dominican Republican to shave off a few years off. He could be older.
In all likelihood, Big Papi may be on the downside of what was a remarkable few years in Boston.
General Colin Powell, an ostensible Republican, is on the downside of his public life. Since he has never desired to run for public office and has already served as Secretary of State, where can he go?
For better or worse -- history will be the ultimate arbiter -- he was part of the effort that resulted in what we now know as Operation Iraq Freedom. That will be his link to posterity.
Therefore, his concern is limited to legacy maintenance -- being a centrist in a time of tumult rather than the neocon who led us to war. So, with limited, nay, no skills at building a party, he leaps from one Sunday talk show to the other to speak poorly of Rush Limbaugh. Alas, his efforts don't go beyond sound bytes.
The media will always accommodate a disgruntled Republican, especially one with the cachet of Mr. Powell, who is upset about a party that he thinks has swung too far to the right. (Seemingly the Reagan Administration was moderate enough for him, go figure.) He will always have the opportunity air his grievances.
Where Big Papi has tried to be productive, Colin Powell, remains content by simply criticizing the current GOP. In the end, neither is helping his team.
Out of respect for his (previously) clutch play, his manager, Terry Francona has had Ortiz bat third. However, it seems likely that he will now bat lower in the order until he gets his numbers up. (And that appears to be a big "if" at this point as he strikes out every four times he bats. )
Officially, he's listed as 33, but there's been a pattern of players born in the Dominican Republican to shave off a few years off. He could be older.
In all likelihood, Big Papi may be on the downside of what was a remarkable few years in Boston.
General Colin Powell, an ostensible Republican, is on the downside of his public life. Since he has never desired to run for public office and has already served as Secretary of State, where can he go?
For better or worse -- history will be the ultimate arbiter -- he was part of the effort that resulted in what we now know as Operation Iraq Freedom. That will be his link to posterity.
Therefore, his concern is limited to legacy maintenance -- being a centrist in a time of tumult rather than the neocon who led us to war. So, with limited, nay, no skills at building a party, he leaps from one Sunday talk show to the other to speak poorly of Rush Limbaugh. Alas, his efforts don't go beyond sound bytes.
The media will always accommodate a disgruntled Republican, especially one with the cachet of Mr. Powell, who is upset about a party that he thinks has swung too far to the right. (Seemingly the Reagan Administration was moderate enough for him, go figure.) He will always have the opportunity air his grievances.
Where Big Papi has tried to be productive, Colin Powell, remains content by simply criticizing the current GOP. In the end, neither is helping his team.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Another Daily News Error?
Bill Madden, the national baseball writer for the New York Daily News, whose relationship with accuracy can best be described as a nodding acquaintance gets it wrong today.
In a riff where he compares the current Mets manager, Jerry Manuel, with the 1962 manager -- the legendary Casey Stengel, he gets the "that guy" issue wrong.
According to Madden:
According to someone who listened to a recording it appears that Madden misquoted Manuel who actually said "a guy." That's a significant difference.
Don't hold your breath for a correction.
In a riff where he compares the current Mets manager, Jerry Manuel, with the 1962 manager -- the legendary Casey Stengel, he gets the "that guy" issue wrong.
According to Madden:
This seemed especially so on Monday in the aftermath of the Mets' five-error "retro '62" performance against the San Francisco Giants in which Church missed third base, a la Marvelous Marv Throneberry, as he was heading home with the go-ahead run and Manuel referred to him as "that guy" adding: "That's unbelievable. I can't explain why, how or anything."
According to someone who listened to a recording it appears that Madden misquoted Manuel who actually said "a guy." That's a significant difference.
Don't hold your breath for a correction.
Friday, May 22, 2009
The Fall of a Bright Liberal
It didn't have to end this way.
Back in the early 1990's Chris Matthews was a columnist for a San Francisco paper -- I forgot which one. In that role, he would appear on those egg-headed conferences that C-SPAN shows when Congress was out of session. I didn't necessarily agree with his views but I had a respect for the way he developed his. A bright liberal guy at the dawn of the Clinton Age.
Given his insights on the ways of Washington -- he was a onetime an aide to Speaker Tip O'Neal -- someone had the idea of making him a talk show host.
In the process a unique talent was converted into a commodity.
Being a talk show host means you have to develop a shtick and Matthews obliged. He would invariably answer the questions posed to his guests and his rapid fire technique showed signs of attention deficit order. (Think: Bill O'Reilly without the warmth.)
Things went well enough; he sold a few books in the process and made a nice living.
But as MSNBC, his network, lurches to the political left; the one time bright liberal has become a hack.
Last night, I took a gander at his show. He had a clock on the upper right of the screen and was counting the time it took for former Vice President Cheney to insult President Obama. As the Vice President began his remarks, he ad-libbed a "Good Afternoon" as he chided the President for being long with his presentation.
Well for Matthews, that constituted a "cheap shot." A cheap shot that came in the first five seconds of the speech. (Apparently that was the "number" for the day.)
I heard and read a lot of commentary yesterday but I have to give it to Matthews -- his insight was, well, unique.
In any event, the end may be near.
Because MSNBC is an incredibly cheap outfit -- the Matthews program is aired twice on the East Coast at 5 and 7 PM. (Fox does the same thing to a degree but it re-airs programs every three hours for the benefit of its West Coast audiences.) Based on the ratings, Matthews comes in dead last for the 25-54 demo at 5 PM and at 7 PM he's third in overall audience. (Fox's "Special Report" has about 1.1 million more viewers.) Spin 'em any way you want -- those numbers are not good.
As I noted, it didn't have to end this way for a formerly bright guy.
Back in the early 1990's Chris Matthews was a columnist for a San Francisco paper -- I forgot which one. In that role, he would appear on those egg-headed conferences that C-SPAN shows when Congress was out of session. I didn't necessarily agree with his views but I had a respect for the way he developed his. A bright liberal guy at the dawn of the Clinton Age.
Given his insights on the ways of Washington -- he was a onetime an aide to Speaker Tip O'Neal -- someone had the idea of making him a talk show host.
In the process a unique talent was converted into a commodity.
Being a talk show host means you have to develop a shtick and Matthews obliged. He would invariably answer the questions posed to his guests and his rapid fire technique showed signs of attention deficit order. (Think: Bill O'Reilly without the warmth.)
Things went well enough; he sold a few books in the process and made a nice living.
But as MSNBC, his network, lurches to the political left; the one time bright liberal has become a hack.
Last night, I took a gander at his show. He had a clock on the upper right of the screen and was counting the time it took for former Vice President Cheney to insult President Obama. As the Vice President began his remarks, he ad-libbed a "Good Afternoon" as he chided the President for being long with his presentation.
Well for Matthews, that constituted a "cheap shot." A cheap shot that came in the first five seconds of the speech. (Apparently that was the "number" for the day.)
I heard and read a lot of commentary yesterday but I have to give it to Matthews -- his insight was, well, unique.
In any event, the end may be near.
Because MSNBC is an incredibly cheap outfit -- the Matthews program is aired twice on the East Coast at 5 and 7 PM. (Fox does the same thing to a degree but it re-airs programs every three hours for the benefit of its West Coast audiences.) Based on the ratings, Matthews comes in dead last for the 25-54 demo at 5 PM and at 7 PM he's third in overall audience. (Fox's "Special Report" has about 1.1 million more viewers.) Spin 'em any way you want -- those numbers are not good.
As I noted, it didn't have to end this way for a formerly bright guy.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Ruminations
SCI-FI: I gave it a couple of viewings but like most of America, I realized that Life wasn't worth watching. They lost me when the hot chick started sleeping with her shmoe of a boss. Another NBC success story.
A GREAT JOB IF YOU CAN GET IT: Seems our National Security Advisor has the time to bike home for lunch. I would guess that all told it probably takes three hours out of his day. Good thing he's unimportant, otherwise he'd be missed.
EXILED: At first, I thought Joe Biden, given his latest goof, was sent to Siberia. He's actually in Serbia.
CAFE CHIP: Something tells me that President Obama's move to increase vehicle fuel mileage is nothing more than a bargaining chip to be used sometime down the road.
RUNNING: I know of some registered voters in New York City getting three to four mailings from the Bloomberg campaign. It's safe to say, he's not taking chances.
SNOWED: Marc Ambinder is keeping an eye on the meme that Obama is easily cowed by his generals. Perhaps, but Bush was swayed by his defeatist brass -- Pace, Casey, and Abizaid. Success in Iraq came when he finally got rid of two and kicked the other upstairs.
IMPOTENCE: As the Senate Majority leader, things can't get any worse for Senator Reid given his erroneous reports, his poor polling numbers, and a President who disses his state's leading source of revenue.
A GREAT JOB IF YOU CAN GET IT: Seems our National Security Advisor has the time to bike home for lunch. I would guess that all told it probably takes three hours out of his day. Good thing he's unimportant, otherwise he'd be missed.
EXILED: At first, I thought Joe Biden, given his latest goof, was sent to Siberia. He's actually in Serbia.
CAFE CHIP: Something tells me that President Obama's move to increase vehicle fuel mileage is nothing more than a bargaining chip to be used sometime down the road.
RUNNING: I know of some registered voters in New York City getting three to four mailings from the Bloomberg campaign. It's safe to say, he's not taking chances.
SNOWED: Marc Ambinder is keeping an eye on the meme that Obama is easily cowed by his generals. Perhaps, but Bush was swayed by his defeatist brass -- Pace, Casey, and Abizaid. Success in Iraq came when he finally got rid of two and kicked the other upstairs.
IMPOTENCE: As the Senate Majority leader, things can't get any worse for Senator Reid given his erroneous reports, his poor polling numbers, and a President who disses his state's leading source of revenue.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Culture of Corruption
Let's see what we have here:
Perhaps.
But the rot is already setting in.
- An "ethics" columnist who doesn't see anything wrong about donating to MoveOn.org; claiming the organization is "non-partisan".
- An economics columnist who can't manage his own finances.
- A past her prime opinion columnist copying and pasting another's work and passing it off as her own. And it's not like this was the first time, either.
- An ombudsman who covers for the paper with a whitewash of an investigation regarding the spiking of a negative report on then candidate Obama's fundraising efforts.
Perhaps.
But the rot is already setting in.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Stenography 101
Helen Kennedy, ostensibly a Daily News Staff Writer, but for all intents and purposes an overpaid stenographer, is credited with a story today on Page 3 of "New York's Number One Newspaper."
She breathlessly cherry picks an "explosive" story that will soon be on the pages of that paragon of journalism, GQ.
Apparently, someone provided Robert Draper, a writer for the magazine, with classified briefing slides during the early stages of the Iraq War. The slides had Biblical verses on them. Odd? Perhaps. However, who is to go on the record and state that these slides are indeed the real McCoy rather than fancy fakes to deceive? I understand that efforts to control the proliferation of PowerPoint technology are failing.
Apparently these quotations worried nameless Pentagon analysts for fear that they would inflame the Islamic world. If anyone was going to get inflamed, it would have happened shortly after the first tanks rolled into Iraq.
Other snippets abound in this "damming GQ article" alleging that Rumsfeld blocked efforts to present Senator Kennedy the Presidential Medal of Freedom. How or why Rumsfeld would care isn't broached. Ms. Kennedy (A relation perhaps? She doesn't tell.) describes the Senator as cancer-stricken. Alas, the senator's cancer was diagnosed long after Rumsfeld left office, so her adjective is used to provoke a reaction rather than to describe.
As you can imagine, the sources are anonymous but the allegations are treated as, well, like gospel.
Tellingly, the liberal media, and the NYDN which sets its editorial sails to those prevailing winds, fails to even bother attempting to contact either the former President or the Defense Secretary for their views. Nor for that matter does Ms. Kennedy bother to independently confirm the allegations herself.
That would require journalistic skills and that's not the job of a stenographer.
Bush and Rumsfeld may be gone, but they will not be forgotten by those who wish to distract us from the current dangers.
UPDATE: Rumsfeld responds. Quite strenuously.
She breathlessly cherry picks an "explosive" story that will soon be on the pages of that paragon of journalism, GQ.
Apparently, someone provided Robert Draper, a writer for the magazine, with classified briefing slides during the early stages of the Iraq War. The slides had Biblical verses on them. Odd? Perhaps. However, who is to go on the record and state that these slides are indeed the real McCoy rather than fancy fakes to deceive? I understand that efforts to control the proliferation of PowerPoint technology are failing.
Apparently these quotations worried nameless Pentagon analysts for fear that they would inflame the Islamic world. If anyone was going to get inflamed, it would have happened shortly after the first tanks rolled into Iraq.
Other snippets abound in this "damming GQ article" alleging that Rumsfeld blocked efforts to present Senator Kennedy the Presidential Medal of Freedom. How or why Rumsfeld would care isn't broached. Ms. Kennedy (A relation perhaps? She doesn't tell.) describes the Senator as cancer-stricken. Alas, the senator's cancer was diagnosed long after Rumsfeld left office, so her adjective is used to provoke a reaction rather than to describe.
As you can imagine, the sources are anonymous but the allegations are treated as, well, like gospel.
Tellingly, the liberal media, and the NYDN which sets its editorial sails to those prevailing winds, fails to even bother attempting to contact either the former President or the Defense Secretary for their views. Nor for that matter does Ms. Kennedy bother to independently confirm the allegations herself.
That would require journalistic skills and that's not the job of a stenographer.
Bush and Rumsfeld may be gone, but they will not be forgotten by those who wish to distract us from the current dangers.
UPDATE: Rumsfeld responds. Quite strenuously.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Ruminations
FOOLS: In an otherwise limp criticism of Wanda Sykes (BTW, has she ever been funny?) Mike Lupica wants you Rush Limbaugh listeners to know that you're mean-spirited. The search for an original insight from the Daily News's resident rabblerouser continues.
PROPS: Eminem valiantly trying to restart his career will take 200 laid off auto workers to see his performance on the Jimmy Kimmel program. In addition to losing their jobs, it seems that they may have also shed their dignity.
YOU'RE FIRED: First, it was Rick Waggoner, now it's David McKiernan. Joe Biden would be wise to keep looking over his shoulder.
THE OTHER SHOE: Little seems to be said about the State Department's role in securing Roxana Sabieri's release which suggests that they were quite involved. The New York Times helpfully spins a tale to the Administration's liking. We have seen the "quid" and time will indicate what the "quo" may turn out to be.
THE DODGER: Roger Clemens broke his silence to advertise, er, criticize a new unflattering book about him. He took the opportunity because he was going overseas on vacation next week. The key question -- does his travel destination have an extradition treaty with the United States?
LONG ARM: A sportswriter suggests a way for Manny Ramirez to make amends to his fans. I suggest he keeps the money. Lawyers to defend him from fraud charges won't come cheaply.
PROPS: Eminem valiantly trying to restart his career will take 200 laid off auto workers to see his performance on the Jimmy Kimmel program. In addition to losing their jobs, it seems that they may have also shed their dignity.
YOU'RE FIRED: First, it was Rick Waggoner, now it's David McKiernan. Joe Biden would be wise to keep looking over his shoulder.
THE OTHER SHOE: Little seems to be said about the State Department's role in securing Roxana Sabieri's release which suggests that they were quite involved. The New York Times helpfully spins a tale to the Administration's liking. We have seen the "quid" and time will indicate what the "quo" may turn out to be.
THE DODGER: Roger Clemens broke his silence to advertise, er, criticize a new unflattering book about him. He took the opportunity because he was going overseas on vacation next week. The key question -- does his travel destination have an extradition treaty with the United States?
LONG ARM: A sportswriter suggests a way for Manny Ramirez to make amends to his fans. I suggest he keeps the money. Lawyers to defend him from fraud charges won't come cheaply.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
The New York Daily News Gets It Wrong (Surprised?)
The New York Daily News committed a big time disservice to their readers by reporting a version of events that conflicted with the official report regarding the Planegate matter. Thomas DeFrank and Kenneth Bazinet do not wrap themselves in glory on this one.
From the first paragraph, they get it wrong:
Why does the Daily News provide anonymity for the source? It's not clear. Moreover, the report does not indicate that the FAA raised any red flags about advising the media. This quote seems to be gratuitous unless it's meant to add to the criticism of Caldera.
Actually details about the flight were considered to be "for official use only." This is simply a caveat -- it's not a classification. There are only three classifications: confidential, secret, and top secret. It wasn't classified.
If they got this wrong -- what else have they gotten wrong -- without the benefit of an official report?
From the first paragraph, they get it wrong:
The White House aide who okayed the $328,835 Air Force One photo-op flight around the Statue of Liberty last week was sacked Friday.Actually, Caldera, according to the official report, was not responsible for authorizing the flight.
Instead, the military office decided to react to media inquiries, not to make a prior announcement, according to the review by Jim Messina, White House deputy chief of staff.There are a couple of things odd with this statement. For starters, the report was prepared for Jim Messina, he did not author the report. Secondly, the deputy director, George Mulligan, did not anticipate any media reaction to the flight which I thought was a newsworthy aspect that went un-reported. That's why they opted to react to media inquiries.
"The FAA warned the military office that the media needed to be advised of the flight," said an administration source. "There were red flags."
Why does the Daily News provide anonymity for the source? It's not clear. Moreover, the report does not indicate that the FAA raised any red flags about advising the media. This quote seems to be gratuitous unless it's meant to add to the criticism of Caldera.
Caldera's office insisted the flyover was a "classified" mission.
Actually details about the flight were considered to be "for official use only." This is simply a caveat -- it's not a classification. There are only three classifications: confidential, secret, and top secret. It wasn't classified.
A prominent Republican official who specializes in damage control said: "This is a message from [chief of staff] Rahm Emanuel that you won't be fired for a mistake or a policy disagreement - but you will be fired for embarrassing the President. That's a good, strong message that needed to be sent."Again with the gratuitous anonymous source. Why does the "prominent Republican official" not want to have his or her name disclosed? Moreover, it's untrue. The President turned a blind eye to Tim Geithner, Linda Solis, Ron Kirk, and Kathleen Sebelius who caused the President a fair amount of embarrassment for their tax problems. (We'll leave aside Joe Biden's gaffes for the moment.) Moreover, how does this official know that mistakes or policy disagreements are not a cause for firing?
If they got this wrong -- what else have they gotten wrong -- without the benefit of an official report?
Friday, May 08, 2009
Something Not Quite Right
With the Friday afternoon resignation of Louis Caldera, the White House is hoping that the matter of 'Planegate" will come to a close. Given the compliant state of the White House press corps, its likely that this issue has breathed its last. Although Mr. Caldera is not entirely blameless in this matter, it seems unlikely that he's the only one guilty of bad judgment.
Nonetheless, the critical question as to who initiated this endeavor remains unanswered. Mr. Caldera's office, according to the White House website, "...ensures that White House requirements are met..." In other words, he was paid to execute, not to think.
It seems that someone, with serious juice, requested the flyover. Curiously, according to the official White House report on the matter -- there is no discussion as to who got the ball rolling other than to note that coordination began in March.
If the Air Force is anything like the Army -- which I know a thing or two -- I suspect that several participating elements would have to sign off on the deal. It wasn't the Air Force's role to question the mission -- their function was to execute the mission. Colonel Scott Turner was the go-to guy who oversaw the planning and coordination. He answered to Mr. Caldera's assistant, George Mulligan.
Mulligan, in turn, notified Caldera about the planning of the mission and added that "...WH shouldn't catch any questions about it." (Mulligan, it seems, has a political tin ear.) Caldera claims not to have read it until after the event occurred. Moreover, Caldera claims to have had two email accounts and he reads one more frequently than the other and he had back spasms that compelled him to leave early which prevented him from reading the email.
Even if one accepted this argument at its face, it seems strange that the director and the deputy director failed to formally discuss this matter given the nature of the mission as they all knew it to be atypical. (There was a thirty second discussion that characterized as an "aside.") Moreover, it seems odd that the one who initiated the matter did not check in for a status update.
Mulligan then recommended that Caldera notify Robert Gibbs, the press secretary, or Jim Messina, the deputy chief of staff. Mulligan didn't see this as his responsibility and had assumed that the Air Force would handle the public relations.
Caldera didn't have a coherent explanation as to why he failed to notify Gibbs or Messina. In my experience, that suggests two possible reasons. First, he actually brain cramped and failed to pass the word on. Or, secondly, he was covering for someone and took the hit. It should be noted that Caldera did not formally authorize the mission -- his crime was that he failed to pass the word on the mission.
After the event, Caldera opted to take the hit for the team and it seems that his scalp was required to end the debacle.
The report accomplished its purpose -- assigning the blame to Caldera. Yet it still remains uncertain as to who started this matter in the first place.
Nonetheless, the critical question as to who initiated this endeavor remains unanswered. Mr. Caldera's office, according to the White House website, "...ensures that White House requirements are met..." In other words, he was paid to execute, not to think.
It seems that someone, with serious juice, requested the flyover. Curiously, according to the official White House report on the matter -- there is no discussion as to who got the ball rolling other than to note that coordination began in March.
If the Air Force is anything like the Army -- which I know a thing or two -- I suspect that several participating elements would have to sign off on the deal. It wasn't the Air Force's role to question the mission -- their function was to execute the mission. Colonel Scott Turner was the go-to guy who oversaw the planning and coordination. He answered to Mr. Caldera's assistant, George Mulligan.
Mulligan, in turn, notified Caldera about the planning of the mission and added that "...WH shouldn't catch any questions about it." (Mulligan, it seems, has a political tin ear.) Caldera claims not to have read it until after the event occurred. Moreover, Caldera claims to have had two email accounts and he reads one more frequently than the other and he had back spasms that compelled him to leave early which prevented him from reading the email.
Even if one accepted this argument at its face, it seems strange that the director and the deputy director failed to formally discuss this matter given the nature of the mission as they all knew it to be atypical. (There was a thirty second discussion that characterized as an "aside.") Moreover, it seems odd that the one who initiated the matter did not check in for a status update.
Mulligan then recommended that Caldera notify Robert Gibbs, the press secretary, or Jim Messina, the deputy chief of staff. Mulligan didn't see this as his responsibility and had assumed that the Air Force would handle the public relations.
Caldera didn't have a coherent explanation as to why he failed to notify Gibbs or Messina. In my experience, that suggests two possible reasons. First, he actually brain cramped and failed to pass the word on. Or, secondly, he was covering for someone and took the hit. It should be noted that Caldera did not formally authorize the mission -- his crime was that he failed to pass the word on the mission.
After the event, Caldera opted to take the hit for the team and it seems that his scalp was required to end the debacle.
The report accomplished its purpose -- assigning the blame to Caldera. Yet it still remains uncertain as to who started this matter in the first place.
Ruminations
SCRAMBLING: As soon as B of A got word that they needed more capital, they called me trying to push a $12.99/month credit history security plan. They're not going to make up their shortfall with that pathetic effort.
HELPFUL: Murray Chass excoriates Selena Roberts' over-hyped tome on Alex Rodriguez. Nothing like a hack attack to develop a little sympathy for the guy. Now if he can help the Yanks end their losing skid...
ACOUSTICS: I was flipping between the Mets and Yankees telecasts last night. Both games were played at their respective new stadiums. It could have been the sound quality used by the production teams but things seemed to be awfully quiet in the Bronx. It was far nosier in Queens. Then again it could have been a reflection of what was seen on the field.
FORGOTTEN: NBC is becoming known as an acronym for Nothing But Cheap. They plan to wheel out a few Saturday Night Live specials in primetime this fall. Last year there was a Presidential election. This year, their pining their hopes on what? BTW, can anyone name three members of this year cast? I thought so.
BOTTOMLESS: I thought Barack would be different. (Not better but at least different.) However, even he's resorting to Clintonian sleight of hand when it comes to ostensible budget cuts. No Democrat and sadly no Republican can turn away increased spending.
OVERDUE: It's been six days since Bill Carter of the New York Times propped up Rachel Maddow. Maybe he's on vacation.
HELPFUL: Murray Chass excoriates Selena Roberts' over-hyped tome on Alex Rodriguez. Nothing like a hack attack to develop a little sympathy for the guy. Now if he can help the Yanks end their losing skid...
ACOUSTICS: I was flipping between the Mets and Yankees telecasts last night. Both games were played at their respective new stadiums. It could have been the sound quality used by the production teams but things seemed to be awfully quiet in the Bronx. It was far nosier in Queens. Then again it could have been a reflection of what was seen on the field.
FORGOTTEN: NBC is becoming known as an acronym for Nothing But Cheap. They plan to wheel out a few Saturday Night Live specials in primetime this fall. Last year there was a Presidential election. This year, their pining their hopes on what? BTW, can anyone name three members of this year cast? I thought so.
BOTTOMLESS: I thought Barack would be different. (Not better but at least different.) However, even he's resorting to Clintonian sleight of hand when it comes to ostensible budget cuts. No Democrat and sadly no Republican can turn away increased spending.
OVERDUE: It's been six days since Bill Carter of the New York Times propped up Rachel Maddow. Maybe he's on vacation.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Imagine If a Republian Had Said It...
Here's another case of a loose lipped Democrat adding to the politics of destruction.
Arlen Specter, (D-PA) suggested that Jack Kemp could have beaten his cancer (without knowing much about what actually killed him and why) had the GOP forcefully supported then President Nixon's request for funding for the War on Cancer in the 1970s.
Actually a Republican wouldn't have been stupid enough to make that comment.
Arlen Specter, (D-PA) suggested that Jack Kemp could have beaten his cancer (without knowing much about what actually killed him and why) had the GOP forcefully supported then President Nixon's request for funding for the War on Cancer in the 1970s.
Actually a Republican wouldn't have been stupid enough to make that comment.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Your National Security Advisor at Work
In the big scheme of things, perhaps it is just a matter of our adversaries learning what our fax cover sheets look like.
But it also indicates that following the rules is optional.
Politico reports that foreign policy aide Denis McDonough is seen carrying a document stamped "SECRET" in a photo that was part of the White House's Flickr feed.
I learned a long time ago that when you are moving classified documents, that they are secured -- at a minimum -- in a manila envelope.
Again, it may not be a big deal but it certainly suggestive of the ship that James Jones is running in the White House.
But it also indicates that following the rules is optional.
Politico reports that foreign policy aide Denis McDonough is seen carrying a document stamped "SECRET" in a photo that was part of the White House's Flickr feed.
I learned a long time ago that when you are moving classified documents, that they are secured -- at a minimum -- in a manila envelope.
Again, it may not be a big deal but it certainly suggestive of the ship that James Jones is running in the White House.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Ruminations
GAFFE-IN: What was the purported upside when Barack Obama selected Joe Biden as his Veep? Delaware's dirty secret is now America's headache.
LUXURY: Recession, war(s), pandemic are in the headlines but our Congress is focused on, well, college football.
STRESSED: Rather than eyeing a college football championship -- perhaps Congress should be performing a "stress-test" on the government's ability to meet its current obligations? I can imagine why they would want to keep those results secret.
GHOSTS: There is probably more than meets the eye on Arlen Specter's defection to the Democratic Party. Clearing the decks to permit a primary-free race for a 79 year old cancer survivor probably doesn't come cheap. So much for the Keystone State's youth vote, huh? Moreover, who told Specter that he was the indispensable man of the Senate?
SCARE FORCE ONE: Louis Caldera, was once a policymaker as the Secretary of the Army back in the Clinton era answerable to the Secretary of Defense Now, he's an overpaid order-taker and fall guy as the chief of the White House Military Office. Maybe he can't sell is DC-area home? It will be interesting to see if anyone gets fingered, much less, fired for the Air Force One photo op in New York.
OLD MATH: The dead tree version of the New York Daily News boasted 2.5 million readers. I suspect that they used the New Math that was popular in the 1960s. However, real numbers like 600K don't lie.
WEAK: Given the hype surrounding the book, I can't help but be unimpressed by the charges levelled against A-Rod. I'm not a member of the Alex Rodriguez fan club, but the author would have been better served going after real miscreants.
LUXURY: Recession, war(s), pandemic are in the headlines but our Congress is focused on, well, college football.
STRESSED: Rather than eyeing a college football championship -- perhaps Congress should be performing a "stress-test" on the government's ability to meet its current obligations? I can imagine why they would want to keep those results secret.
GHOSTS: There is probably more than meets the eye on Arlen Specter's defection to the Democratic Party. Clearing the decks to permit a primary-free race for a 79 year old cancer survivor probably doesn't come cheap. So much for the Keystone State's youth vote, huh? Moreover, who told Specter that he was the indispensable man of the Senate?
SCARE FORCE ONE: Louis Caldera, was once a policymaker as the Secretary of the Army back in the Clinton era answerable to the Secretary of Defense Now, he's an overpaid order-taker and fall guy as the chief of the White House Military Office. Maybe he can't sell is DC-area home? It will be interesting to see if anyone gets fingered, much less, fired for the Air Force One photo op in New York.
OLD MATH: The dead tree version of the New York Daily News boasted 2.5 million readers. I suspect that they used the New Math that was popular in the 1960s. However, real numbers like 600K don't lie.
WEAK: Given the hype surrounding the book, I can't help but be unimpressed by the charges levelled against A-Rod. I'm not a member of the Alex Rodriguez fan club, but the author would have been better served going after real miscreants.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Softballs for Joe
Given the batting practice that Lesley Stahl tossed (in the guise of an interview) with Barney Frank, I had the bar set pretty low for her interview with Vice President Joe Biden.
It wasn't low enough.
If she threw any more hanging sliders for Joe to hit out of the park, I was convinced that she would be the #5 starter for the New York Mets -- who will take just about anybody.
Curiously, most of the interview with Joe was was done standing up in his office. Why?
Was the seated, or more formal, aspect of the interview was unwatchable? (If memory serves there was only one question -- about the Hugo Chavez handshake -- shown when they were seated.) Did Joe comitt any gaffes or was it -- heaven forbid -- the fact that Joe Biden is a fairly conventional thinker and boring speaker?
It wasn't low enough.
If she threw any more hanging sliders for Joe to hit out of the park, I was convinced that she would be the #5 starter for the New York Mets -- who will take just about anybody.
Curiously, most of the interview with Joe was was done standing up in his office. Why?
Was the seated, or more formal, aspect of the interview was unwatchable? (If memory serves there was only one question -- about the Hugo Chavez handshake -- shown when they were seated.) Did Joe comitt any gaffes or was it -- heaven forbid -- the fact that Joe Biden is a fairly conventional thinker and boring speaker?
The fact that both Biden and the President chose to stand for their interviews suggests that they weren't going to give the 60 Minutes team any more time than was necessary.
Granted, the interview was a puff piece designed as a link in with the totally arbitrary notion that Obama's first 100 days are of some consequence but that doesn't mean that she couldn't ask a tough question or two.
For instance, Biden is notoriously tight-fisted when it comes to giving to charities yet yet professes that paying taxes is patriotic. What would he say to that allegation?
Biden supported the Iraq War and when the political winds shifted voted against the surge. Now that the winds have changed again, does he think that the Obama plan is working?
As he is in charge of the middle class task force -- what does he plan to do, if anything, in that capacity?
Lastly, Biden noted, when talking about his son who is currently deployed in Iraq: "ridden home with too many dead young men and women in caskets and it's just impossible to not associate with that."
Given the respect that the military takes with the remains of the fallen, it seems unlikely that they would be flown as cargo on a flight ferrying VIPs. If true, how many times has he flown out of Iraq or Afghanistan? Or, was this a case of Joe Biden, stretching the truth to fit his purposes?
Alas, that wouldn't have been much news either.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Ruminations
ANOTHER DISTRACTION: Hillary Clinton, who is apparently showing the strains of her new job (she's got Samsonites under her eyes), noted that the Taliban is now a "mortal threat" to Pakistan. Anyone who has read Steve Coll's Ghost Wars would be struck by the irony of Pakistan's creation turning against it.
ROCK, NOT ROCK STAR: Rachel Maddow, GE's answer to Ambien, is slowly sinking into oblivion with what remains of her minuscule audience. Rush Limbaugh, if memory serves, thought Maddow would be a perfect fit with MSNBC though -- as she didn't have much of a track record in garnering an audience in radio either.
UNWATCHABLES: I gave ABC's The Unsusuals a viewing last night. I enjoyed it more when it was called NYPD Blue.
CHERRY PICKING: I figured, well, all it took was a measly $39 to get everyone thinking that happy days are here again. Then I realized that AP prominently displayed the good news, rather than the less than positive news in their story about how Obama has revitalized the American mood. Of greater interest, is how they parse the quote from a McCain supporter to fit the narrative.
NOT THAT PUBLIC SERVICE: It's been three months or so since Caroline Kennedy got the thumbs down from Governor Paterson to be Hillary Clinton's replacement. (That move certainly didn't help him with NY's chattering class but that's another story.) Apparently, her need to serve the public is satisfied by reading a message on behalf of Mayor Bloomberg to get other folks to volunteer. Not quite as challenging as a Senate gig. Anyway, as long as Chuck Schumer (D - Wall Street) has any juice, Kennedy will be sitting on the sidelines in 2010.
ROCK, NOT ROCK STAR: Rachel Maddow, GE's answer to Ambien, is slowly sinking into oblivion with what remains of her minuscule audience. Rush Limbaugh, if memory serves, thought Maddow would be a perfect fit with MSNBC though -- as she didn't have much of a track record in garnering an audience in radio either.
UNWATCHABLES: I gave ABC's The Unsusuals a viewing last night. I enjoyed it more when it was called NYPD Blue.
CHERRY PICKING: I figured, well, all it took was a measly $39 to get everyone thinking that happy days are here again. Then I realized that AP prominently displayed the good news, rather than the less than positive news in their story about how Obama has revitalized the American mood. Of greater interest, is how they parse the quote from a McCain supporter to fit the narrative.
NOT THAT PUBLIC SERVICE: It's been three months or so since Caroline Kennedy got the thumbs down from Governor Paterson to be Hillary Clinton's replacement. (That move certainly didn't help him with NY's chattering class but that's another story.) Apparently, her need to serve the public is satisfied by reading a message on behalf of Mayor Bloomberg to get other folks to volunteer. Not quite as challenging as a Senate gig. Anyway, as long as Chuck Schumer (D - Wall Street) has any juice, Kennedy will be sitting on the sidelines in 2010.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Kerry's Favor
John Kerry has a big problem -- it's about staying relevant as a leader in the Democratic Party. After all, he's the guy who lost to George W. Bush.
Unfortunately, he's not in the executive branch where he could be actually getting something accomplished. (He still probably dreams about what a wonderful Vice President or Secretary of State he'd be.)
So he does what a Senator can do -- hold a meeting.
In the midst of the pirate crisis of a week or so ago, he played his only trump card -- he convened a hearing. A hearing, that if it was held, it made as much noise as the proverbial tree falling in the forest.
Now as the chair of the communications, technology, and Internet subcommittee, he will be holding a hearing on the state of journalism. That's right, an all day veritable talkathon about the state of American journalism. I suspect it will be similar to those think tank sessions that CSPAN shows when Congress is out of session that draws an audience in the dozens.
Actually, he could save himself and everyone else a great deal of time by getting with an economics professor and learn a thing or two about supply and demand. His hometown paper the Boston Globe (which conveniently endorsed him in last election) is sinking like a rock. (We talked about their straits here.)
Those in the know suggest that the Boston Globe was the opposition research for Kerry's last campaign. This despite the fact that his GOP opponent was a nonentity and hardly a threat. But a favor has to be repaid.
So while Kerry thinks he's helping and playing an important role, others will think he's simply grandstanding. Actually, he will be the master of ceremonies for an industry's wake.
Unfortunately, he's not in the executive branch where he could be actually getting something accomplished. (He still probably dreams about what a wonderful Vice President or Secretary of State he'd be.)
So he does what a Senator can do -- hold a meeting.
In the midst of the pirate crisis of a week or so ago, he played his only trump card -- he convened a hearing. A hearing, that if it was held, it made as much noise as the proverbial tree falling in the forest.
Now as the chair of the communications, technology, and Internet subcommittee, he will be holding a hearing on the state of journalism. That's right, an all day veritable talkathon about the state of American journalism. I suspect it will be similar to those think tank sessions that CSPAN shows when Congress is out of session that draws an audience in the dozens.
Actually, he could save himself and everyone else a great deal of time by getting with an economics professor and learn a thing or two about supply and demand. His hometown paper the Boston Globe (which conveniently endorsed him in last election) is sinking like a rock. (We talked about their straits here.)
Those in the know suggest that the Boston Globe was the opposition research for Kerry's last campaign. This despite the fact that his GOP opponent was a nonentity and hardly a threat. But a favor has to be repaid.
So while Kerry thinks he's helping and playing an important role, others will think he's simply grandstanding. Actually, he will be the master of ceremonies for an industry's wake.
Three Strikes?
Readers of this blog should realize that I'm not entirely enamored with the policies of President Obama. In short, I don't think his plans for peace (a mixture of hope and humility) and prosperity (gargantuan deficit spending) will work.
However, I'd be the first to admit that he is terribly smooth. He gives a great speech, he is comfortable with others, and he radiates self-confidence. By any measure, a terrific combination.
Of late, though, he seems to be losing his edge which,for Obama supporters can be a worrisome development.
Losing his perspective. To paraphrase Donald Rumsfeld, you go with the history you have, not the one you want. For better or worse, the U.S. has a long history of being entwined in Nicaraguan domestic affairs. Daniel Ortega, at the recent Americas conference, used his speaking opportunity to subject Obama to a 50 minute harangue about U.S. involvement there. Rather than defend the aims of those policies that Ortega denounced, Obama thought it was all about himself. He said, "I'm grateful that President Ortega did not blame me for the things that occurred when I was three months old." As Mark Steyn noted, it was a curious case of narcissism.
Losing his competence. In era where Carl Sagan's mantra about the heavens (billions and billions of stars) can now be used in discussing the budget, it seems a bit lame to be looking for a measly $100 million to reduce in federal spending. It's even sadder when the President seems to be in earnest about looking for these savings with a straight face. When the media begins to mock the imitative, one has to assume that it's a loser.
Losing his conviction. I think it's safe to say that the original strategy regarding torture was to cherry pick a few documents for release that would put the Bush White House in a bad light and claim that they're going to cease this activity. Moreover, to ensure that our intelligence capability would not be totally eviscerated, there would be no prosecutions of those who acted in good faith. Now it seems that Eric Holder, the Attorney Justice, and a man with a few questionable deeds in his background will determine what is prosecutable and what is not. But as flip flops go, this caught everyone in his Administration by surprise. It would be interesting to see what kind of messages Obama was getting in his ultra secret Blackberry?
A couple of odd missteps are no reason to panic. But when a pattern becomes discernible, then one has to ask -- what have I gotten into.
However, I'd be the first to admit that he is terribly smooth. He gives a great speech, he is comfortable with others, and he radiates self-confidence. By any measure, a terrific combination.
Of late, though, he seems to be losing his edge which,for Obama supporters can be a worrisome development.
Losing his perspective. To paraphrase Donald Rumsfeld, you go with the history you have, not the one you want. For better or worse, the U.S. has a long history of being entwined in Nicaraguan domestic affairs. Daniel Ortega, at the recent Americas conference, used his speaking opportunity to subject Obama to a 50 minute harangue about U.S. involvement there. Rather than defend the aims of those policies that Ortega denounced, Obama thought it was all about himself. He said, "I'm grateful that President Ortega did not blame me for the things that occurred when I was three months old." As Mark Steyn noted, it was a curious case of narcissism.
Losing his competence. In era where Carl Sagan's mantra about the heavens (billions and billions of stars) can now be used in discussing the budget, it seems a bit lame to be looking for a measly $100 million to reduce in federal spending. It's even sadder when the President seems to be in earnest about looking for these savings with a straight face. When the media begins to mock the imitative, one has to assume that it's a loser.
Losing his conviction. I think it's safe to say that the original strategy regarding torture was to cherry pick a few documents for release that would put the Bush White House in a bad light and claim that they're going to cease this activity. Moreover, to ensure that our intelligence capability would not be totally eviscerated, there would be no prosecutions of those who acted in good faith. Now it seems that Eric Holder, the Attorney Justice, and a man with a few questionable deeds in his background will determine what is prosecutable and what is not. But as flip flops go, this caught everyone in his Administration by surprise. It would be interesting to see what kind of messages Obama was getting in his ultra secret Blackberry?
A couple of odd missteps are no reason to panic. But when a pattern becomes discernible, then one has to ask -- what have I gotten into.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Ruminations
THANKS FOR THE VIDEO THOUGH: President Obama's vaunted video greetings to the Iranians to mark their "Nowruz" holiday was seen for what it was -- a sign of weakness. Now the Iranians have tossed American journalist, Roxana Saberi, in jail for 8 years alleging that she was a spy. Teheran sees a vulnerability and is now trying to exploit it. I'd be surprised if the back channels weren't being worked to determine a means of releasing Ms. Saberi. Perhaps thawing a frozen bank account or releasing a senior Qods Force operator who was captured last December in Iraq? Watch for a decent interval between the two.
MS'ING IN ACTION: You have to like the way Bill O'Reilly criticizes the left leaning MSNBC. He goes after NBC and their corporate masters GE instead. Obviously, why give Olberman, Maddow, and Matthews a plug on his show? Given the way that Jeff Immelt has run GE into the ground, he's a bigger and easier target instead.
CUT TO THE CHASE: I understand that ESPN and TNT have paid for a lengthy NBA playoffs -- they need something to put on the air other than poker tournaments and Law & Order repeats. However, it seems that everyone is expecting the finals to be between the Lakers and the Cavaliers. So let's can all these unnecessary and meaningless games and have these guys play it out and end the basketball season in early May rather than in late June.
PERCEPTION: I'm not a DHS junkie, but the only times I notice DHS Secretary Napolitano on the news is when she is explaining what a "man-made" disaster is and how it could be possible that disaffected vets may want to join right wing militias. Our adversaries are taking note as well.
PENNIES: James Warren a couple of weeks back on the McLaughlin Group observed that that the $200 million allotted by the federal government for teacher merit pay, was, to use his term, "pennies." I eagerly await to hear his assessment of Obama's $100 million budget cut.
US OUT OF MEXICO: Stanley Crouch a week or so ago, spent a whole column denouncing gun violence. Hard to argue with that. However, to add a sense of urgency to his need for greater gun control, he added this whopper:
We can add in the documented fact that weapons bought at unmonitored gun fairs are arming Mexican drug dealers who will end up fighting American troops very soon.
The "fact" may be documented but it's not true. Moreover, it seems that Mr. Crouch has an inside line to the Pentagon that is facilitated by wearing a specially designed tin hat. Perhaps, Mr. Crouch is unaware of this documented fact.
MS'ING IN ACTION: You have to like the way Bill O'Reilly criticizes the left leaning MSNBC. He goes after NBC and their corporate masters GE instead. Obviously, why give Olberman, Maddow, and Matthews a plug on his show? Given the way that Jeff Immelt has run GE into the ground, he's a bigger and easier target instead.
CUT TO THE CHASE: I understand that ESPN and TNT have paid for a lengthy NBA playoffs -- they need something to put on the air other than poker tournaments and Law & Order repeats. However, it seems that everyone is expecting the finals to be between the Lakers and the Cavaliers. So let's can all these unnecessary and meaningless games and have these guys play it out and end the basketball season in early May rather than in late June.
PERCEPTION: I'm not a DHS junkie, but the only times I notice DHS Secretary Napolitano on the news is when she is explaining what a "man-made" disaster is and how it could be possible that disaffected vets may want to join right wing militias. Our adversaries are taking note as well.
PENNIES: James Warren a couple of weeks back on the McLaughlin Group observed that that the $200 million allotted by the federal government for teacher merit pay, was, to use his term, "pennies." I eagerly await to hear his assessment of Obama's $100 million budget cut.
US OUT OF MEXICO: Stanley Crouch a week or so ago, spent a whole column denouncing gun violence. Hard to argue with that. However, to add a sense of urgency to his need for greater gun control, he added this whopper:
We can add in the documented fact that weapons bought at unmonitored gun fairs are arming Mexican drug dealers who will end up fighting American troops very soon.
The "fact" may be documented but it's not true. Moreover, it seems that Mr. Crouch has an inside line to the Pentagon that is facilitated by wearing a specially designed tin hat. Perhaps, Mr. Crouch is unaware of this documented fact.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Ruminations
For Sale. While reading the dead tree version of today's New York Times, you couldn't go too far without an advertisement for the New York Times Store. They even had an insert. Looks like the company has to get its hands dirty with the grubby business of selling stuff to keep it afloat.
Rescue Who? Seems one can't go far in New York City without seeing an ad (on a bus or a bus stop, for example) for the upcoming season of Rescue Me. Fair enough. Last time, I saw so much advertising was the for that spy show that NBC had this past fall. I've already forgotten the name of the star and of the show itself.
There's a Reason. I figured out why the New York Daily News is 75 cents on a Saturday (it's 50 cents for Monday - Friday) -- no Mike Lupica columns.
Overseas Contingency Operation. Just for the record, the Navy's actions today off the coast of Somalia were not a skirmish in a "long war" or a "global war on terrorism;" it was simply an overseas contingency operation. Fortunately for all "pirate" seems to be sufficiently neutral that we don't have to call the captured pirate, well, a terrorist (or a sea-based militant).
Third Place for a Reason. On Friday, I caught a bit of Countdown with David Shuster. (He reminds you of your best friend's annoying brother. He's harmless but you wish he was somewhere else.) Anyway, he helpfully -- along with some jaded Newsweek suit -- told me that the tea parties were run by Fox News. Geez, if so, it will be really scary when Roger Ailes & Co. flex their muscles overtly.
Check Google Instead? Now that the pirate issue will move from the front pages, I guess that John Kerry's brave action -- plans to hold hearings -- may be cancelled for something more worthwhile. Sadly for JFK though is that his genius as the committee chair will be seen by only those lonely souls who watch C-SPAN.
Rescue Who? Seems one can't go far in New York City without seeing an ad (on a bus or a bus stop, for example) for the upcoming season of Rescue Me. Fair enough. Last time, I saw so much advertising was the for that spy show that NBC had this past fall. I've already forgotten the name of the star and of the show itself.
There's a Reason. I figured out why the New York Daily News is 75 cents on a Saturday (it's 50 cents for Monday - Friday) -- no Mike Lupica columns.
Overseas Contingency Operation. Just for the record, the Navy's actions today off the coast of Somalia were not a skirmish in a "long war" or a "global war on terrorism;" it was simply an overseas contingency operation. Fortunately for all "pirate" seems to be sufficiently neutral that we don't have to call the captured pirate, well, a terrorist (or a sea-based militant).
Third Place for a Reason. On Friday, I caught a bit of Countdown with David Shuster. (He reminds you of your best friend's annoying brother. He's harmless but you wish he was somewhere else.) Anyway, he helpfully -- along with some jaded Newsweek suit -- told me that the tea parties were run by Fox News. Geez, if so, it will be really scary when Roger Ailes & Co. flex their muscles overtly.
Check Google Instead? Now that the pirate issue will move from the front pages, I guess that John Kerry's brave action -- plans to hold hearings -- may be cancelled for something more worthwhile. Sadly for JFK though is that his genius as the committee chair will be seen by only those lonely souls who watch C-SPAN.
Friday, April 10, 2009
The "Distraction" Distraction
I took a second look when I saw the following headline: "Pirates pose annoying distraction for Obama."
The taking of an American hostage and an attack on an American-flagged freighter is certainly an "annoying" distraction and not a foreign policy crisis.
How do I know this?
Yesterday, when he was discussing the international aspects of this incident with his Secretary of State, they met not in the Oval Office but rather a at a picnic table in the backyard. (You right wingers go right on and say, "Well, if Bush did this..." We all know how this would end.)
If this were a crisis, BHO would have the sense to convene a meeting with his foreign policy team in the Oval Office. (He does have a top notch national security advisor, after all, doesn't he?)
In fact, these distractions seem to be the norm. At least the way big media sees it. And the distractions presumably prevent Team Obama from implementing the hope and change that this country needs.
Sure.
A distraction is nothing more then having Team Obama caught flat footed -- when it's the blowback of a Chicago political scandal or a launch of a North Korean missile.
Why? Because this administration is ill-equipped to handle anything more than a hope that our adversaries won't hate us and that our allies will really like us. Anything else prompts uncertainty and confusion. Therefore it has to be downplayed as a "distraction." You can screw up a crisis, you can ignore a distraction.
We better get used to it.
John Lennon was right when he said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
Team Obama should be busy planning for further "distractions."
The taking of an American hostage and an attack on an American-flagged freighter is certainly an "annoying" distraction and not a foreign policy crisis.
How do I know this?
Yesterday, when he was discussing the international aspects of this incident with his Secretary of State, they met not in the Oval Office but rather a at a picnic table in the backyard. (You right wingers go right on and say, "Well, if Bush did this..." We all know how this would end.)
If this were a crisis, BHO would have the sense to convene a meeting with his foreign policy team in the Oval Office. (He does have a top notch national security advisor, after all, doesn't he?)
In fact, these distractions seem to be the norm. At least the way big media sees it. And the distractions presumably prevent Team Obama from implementing the hope and change that this country needs.
Sure.
A distraction is nothing more then having Team Obama caught flat footed -- when it's the blowback of a Chicago political scandal or a launch of a North Korean missile.
Why? Because this administration is ill-equipped to handle anything more than a hope that our adversaries won't hate us and that our allies will really like us. Anything else prompts uncertainty and confusion. Therefore it has to be downplayed as a "distraction." You can screw up a crisis, you can ignore a distraction.
We better get used to it.
John Lennon was right when he said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
Team Obama should be busy planning for further "distractions."
Thursday, April 09, 2009
A Time for Delusions
When the odds are stacked against you...delusion sets in.
In his book, The Fall of Berlin, 1945, Anthony Beevor, recounts how the Nazi high command reacted when the Soviet hordes were about to strike Berlin. They thought that U.S. Forces would fight alongside the Germans to fend off the Soviets. The idea of being defeated by the Soviets was beyond their comprehension and that Washington would see the Red Menace for what it was worth.
Frank Snepp recalls a similar sense of disbelief in Saigon in 1975. In Decent Interval, Snepp, a CIA analyst based in Vietnam, noted that both the Ambassador and the CIA Station Chief thought that the North Vietnamese would stop short of their attack on the south and settle for a negotiated settlement. It was only on the day before they took over did both men see how wrong they were.
Such is the case with the rank and file of the Boston Globe. According to one report, the situation is beyond bleak -- it's absolutely abysmal. There are projections that the paper could lose up to $85 million this year alone. This news, predictably has caused delusions to set in. In fact there is speculation that a white knight may ride into Beantown and save the broadsheet.
There are those who think this current economic downturn is something that merely has to be "weathered." I think not. Paradigms will change -- perhaps for the better but more likely for the worse. The Boston Globe is no exception; no matter how many delusions it believes in.
In his book, The Fall of Berlin, 1945, Anthony Beevor, recounts how the Nazi high command reacted when the Soviet hordes were about to strike Berlin. They thought that U.S. Forces would fight alongside the Germans to fend off the Soviets. The idea of being defeated by the Soviets was beyond their comprehension and that Washington would see the Red Menace for what it was worth.
Frank Snepp recalls a similar sense of disbelief in Saigon in 1975. In Decent Interval, Snepp, a CIA analyst based in Vietnam, noted that both the Ambassador and the CIA Station Chief thought that the North Vietnamese would stop short of their attack on the south and settle for a negotiated settlement. It was only on the day before they took over did both men see how wrong they were.
Such is the case with the rank and file of the Boston Globe. According to one report, the situation is beyond bleak -- it's absolutely abysmal. There are projections that the paper could lose up to $85 million this year alone. This news, predictably has caused delusions to set in. In fact there is speculation that a white knight may ride into Beantown and save the broadsheet.
There are those who think this current economic downturn is something that merely has to be "weathered." I think not. Paradigms will change -- perhaps for the better but more likely for the worse. The Boston Globe is no exception; no matter how many delusions it believes in.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Writer's Block(heads)
Richard Cohen, stumped for an idea, opts to send the Obama Administration a belated Valentine's Day thank you. If the writer's block persists, he may want to trek down to Fort Benning and attend a graduation of future infantry soldiers.
Mike Lupica, unable to find any steroids or much else in the Motor City, conflates facts with opinion as he hails the most important president since, well, Herbert Hoover. Mike puts his BC education to good use as he parrots the DNC's talking points criticizing Bush (and Cheney) and the ever popular Fox News Channel.
No doubt their Lincoln Bedroom invites are forthcoming.
Mike Lupica, unable to find any steroids or much else in the Motor City, conflates facts with opinion as he hails the most important president since, well, Herbert Hoover. Mike puts his BC education to good use as he parrots the DNC's talking points criticizing Bush (and Cheney) and the ever popular Fox News Channel.
No doubt their Lincoln Bedroom invites are forthcoming.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Analysis: Dismal joblessness could hurt Obama
The title actually comes from an actual AP wire report.
Go figure, if a lot of folks are without work -- they may take it out on the President and the party in power.
The fact that anything could politically hurt the President seems to be the real news. In January, he seemed so impervious.
I remember back in the '80's during Reagan's recession and watching the network news. They always seem to end the program with some down on his luck guy -- yet another victim of the recession. Those stories were legion.
I wonder if they still run them nowadays? I wouldn't know since I gave up on network news years ago.
I further wonder if we will see more stories like the referenced one.
Go figure, if a lot of folks are without work -- they may take it out on the President and the party in power.
The fact that anything could politically hurt the President seems to be the real news. In January, he seemed so impervious.
I remember back in the '80's during Reagan's recession and watching the network news. They always seem to end the program with some down on his luck guy -- yet another victim of the recession. Those stories were legion.
I wonder if they still run them nowadays? I wouldn't know since I gave up on network news years ago.
I further wonder if we will see more stories like the referenced one.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Ruminations
BANNED IN BOSTON: Boston is the first NBC affiliate to balk at airing the prime time Jay Leno program. Jay grew up in nearby (well as the crow flies) Andover -- not a big greeting for a local boy done well. NBC has threatened the affiliate -- which thinks it can get better numbers by airing a newscast -- by dropping them from NBC. Given the dearth of hit network programming, it seems like a bluff. This could be the first of many defections.
HUFF, THE TRAGIC EDITOR: Richard Huff, the TV & radio editor for the NYDN, reported on the dismissal of a popular local sportscaster and the cancellation of "The Guiding Light" a long running soap opera. You know how much money was saved by these acts? Well, if Richard Huff knows, he's not telling. Or, he's incompetent. Your pick.
HERE AND THERE: As I alluded in January, Obama is acting tough at home (e.g., canning the chief of GM). But he's sweetness and light overseas (e.g. bowing to the King of Saudi Arabia at the G20 summit). If there's a method to the madness, I can't fathom it.
EYE OF THE STORM: One doesn't normally consider themselves recovered from an illness until after a day or two of normal operations. You don't think yourself healed because you're able to sit up in your sick bed. That's my analogy for the current uptick in the stock market. It's a good sign but it doesn't mean you'll be running any time soon.
BATTER UP: Obviously the reception was poor when George Steinbrenner and Jeff Wilpon, the chiefs of the Yankees and Mets respectively, gazed into their crystal balls. Despite having contending ball teams, I don't expect boffo box office with the prices that they will be charging to see grown men play, well, a game. in their posh new facilities. Had they built the new stadiums in the late 1990s, well that's a different story.
NOW THEY NOTICE: Bravo to the NYDN for exposing the mockery that is called the New York State legislature. It's essentially a three-man circus -- the governor, the Assembly leader, and the Senate leader. Every other elected official is an extra -- or in some cases -- a prop. However, this isn't news -- this set up has been the governing MO for decades. However, the NYDN is still upset that the governor didn't select sweet Caroline Kennedy as the senator -- so now it's news. (Alas, Kirsten Gillibrand doesn't sell papers.)
THE SHIP BE SINKING: Did the NYT spike a story that would connect ACORN and the Obama campaign? It doesn't look good. Neither does the mindset of their executive editor for that matter.
HUFF, THE TRAGIC EDITOR: Richard Huff, the TV & radio editor for the NYDN, reported on the dismissal of a popular local sportscaster and the cancellation of "The Guiding Light" a long running soap opera. You know how much money was saved by these acts? Well, if Richard Huff knows, he's not telling. Or, he's incompetent. Your pick.
HERE AND THERE: As I alluded in January, Obama is acting tough at home (e.g., canning the chief of GM). But he's sweetness and light overseas (e.g. bowing to the King of Saudi Arabia at the G20 summit). If there's a method to the madness, I can't fathom it.
EYE OF THE STORM: One doesn't normally consider themselves recovered from an illness until after a day or two of normal operations. You don't think yourself healed because you're able to sit up in your sick bed. That's my analogy for the current uptick in the stock market. It's a good sign but it doesn't mean you'll be running any time soon.
BATTER UP: Obviously the reception was poor when George Steinbrenner and Jeff Wilpon, the chiefs of the Yankees and Mets respectively, gazed into their crystal balls. Despite having contending ball teams, I don't expect boffo box office with the prices that they will be charging to see grown men play, well, a game. in their posh new facilities. Had they built the new stadiums in the late 1990s, well that's a different story.
NOW THEY NOTICE: Bravo to the NYDN for exposing the mockery that is called the New York State legislature. It's essentially a three-man circus -- the governor, the Assembly leader, and the Senate leader. Every other elected official is an extra -- or in some cases -- a prop. However, this isn't news -- this set up has been the governing MO for decades. However, the NYDN is still upset that the governor didn't select sweet Caroline Kennedy as the senator -- so now it's news. (Alas, Kirsten Gillibrand doesn't sell papers.)
THE SHIP BE SINKING: Did the NYT spike a story that would connect ACORN and the Obama campaign? It doesn't look good. Neither does the mindset of their executive editor for that matter.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Haven't We Seen This Before?
In 1969, David Halberstram authored The Best and the Brightest an examination of how the United States inexorably became entwined in what would later be known as the Vietnam War. (To see how this all ended, I recommend Frank Snepp's Decent Interval.)
One of the key events that led to a greater American involvement was the decision to oust the leader of South Vietnam, Ngo Dinh Diem, in 1963. The fact that the Kennedy White House was involved in the coup came to light several years later. Nonetheless, the coup was less than perfect as Diem (along with his brother) were killed a day later.
I'll leave it to professional historians to determine if this helped or hindered what would eventually become a losing proposition -- but it certainly compelled the administration to play a greater role in Vietnamese affairs.
I'm reminded of this event, as reports indicate that President Obama demanded the resignation of Rick Wagoner, the chairman and chief executive officer of General Motors.
Apparently, the White House, thinks it has the smarts to help a failing company the way its predecessors -- forty-five years ago -- thought it could save a failing nation.
Granted, nobody died in this coup, but greater government intervention does seem to be around the corner. I'm not so sure that this generation's best and brightest know what they have gotten themselves into.
UPDATE: Someone beat me to the punch on the Diem comparison.
One of the key events that led to a greater American involvement was the decision to oust the leader of South Vietnam, Ngo Dinh Diem, in 1963. The fact that the Kennedy White House was involved in the coup came to light several years later. Nonetheless, the coup was less than perfect as Diem (along with his brother) were killed a day later.
I'll leave it to professional historians to determine if this helped or hindered what would eventually become a losing proposition -- but it certainly compelled the administration to play a greater role in Vietnamese affairs.
I'm reminded of this event, as reports indicate that President Obama demanded the resignation of Rick Wagoner, the chairman and chief executive officer of General Motors.
Apparently, the White House, thinks it has the smarts to help a failing company the way its predecessors -- forty-five years ago -- thought it could save a failing nation.
Granted, nobody died in this coup, but greater government intervention does seem to be around the corner. I'm not so sure that this generation's best and brightest know what they have gotten themselves into.
UPDATE: Someone beat me to the punch on the Diem comparison.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Ruminations
I wondered how guys like Rahm Emanuel and Richard Holbrooke could switch so easily from the world of government to high finance. Then it dawned on me -- they didn't do anything in high finance other than bring their Rolodex's.
Keith Olberman's numbers are on par with Fox's daytime numbers. He may want to switch his format and broadcast, well, how about news?
I long ceased to pick up a copy of the dead tree version of The New York Times. Why contribute to the salaries of those pinhead editoralists and op-ed writers? Well, I was surprised when I came across a copy not too long ago -- fairly thin with gaudy front page ads. Now with layoffs and paycuts, it's safe to say that the ship be sinking.
I came across this episode of Law & Order recently. I like the program but their understanding of all things military was awful. Goes to show what happens when you don't pay for a military advisor. Sometimes I get the feeling that's the way it is with Team Obama.
I read a Journolist thread on Mickey Kaus' site. Last time I was animated as those losers was when I was in grammar school. My question -- who is paying these guys?
Kudos to Chelsea Clinton and the Bush sisters for realizing that nobody cares what they think. Unfortunately, Meaghan McCain and Ron "Skipper" Reagan didn't get the memo. (Do you think that if either of them were conservatives in their own right that the media would give them the light of day?)
General Electric had a harsh "move up or move out" policy. Obviously, they got rid of it otherwise, how can Immelt and Zucker still have their jobs?
Keith Olberman's numbers are on par with Fox's daytime numbers. He may want to switch his format and broadcast, well, how about news?
I long ceased to pick up a copy of the dead tree version of The New York Times. Why contribute to the salaries of those pinhead editoralists and op-ed writers? Well, I was surprised when I came across a copy not too long ago -- fairly thin with gaudy front page ads. Now with layoffs and paycuts, it's safe to say that the ship be sinking.
I came across this episode of Law & Order recently. I like the program but their understanding of all things military was awful. Goes to show what happens when you don't pay for a military advisor. Sometimes I get the feeling that's the way it is with Team Obama.
I read a Journolist thread on Mickey Kaus' site. Last time I was animated as those losers was when I was in grammar school. My question -- who is paying these guys?
Kudos to Chelsea Clinton and the Bush sisters for realizing that nobody cares what they think. Unfortunately, Meaghan McCain and Ron "Skipper" Reagan didn't get the memo. (Do you think that if either of them were conservatives in their own right that the media would give them the light of day?)
General Electric had a harsh "move up or move out" policy. Obviously, they got rid of it otherwise, how can Immelt and Zucker still have their jobs?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Your National Security Advisor at Work (Cont'd.)
A continuing series...
Ralph Peters details Team Obama's foreign policy gaffes. He doesn't name names but you'd have to think that the National Security Advisor is involved in these debacles.
Ralph Peters details Team Obama's foreign policy gaffes. He doesn't name names but you'd have to think that the National Security Advisor is involved in these debacles.
The Patsy
About three-fourths through The Maltese Falcon, Humphrey Bogart's Sam Spade and Sydney Greenstreet's Kasper Gutman decide to join forces although each man was from different sides of the law. In fact, Spade suggests that Gutman's accomplice, Elisha Cook's Wilmer Cook take the rap on murdering Spade's partner to seal the deal -- to be the patsy. Gutman relents much to the displeasure of Cook. (Check the movie out to see how it ends.)
Such is the case with the U.S. Treasury. President Obama and Larry Summers, his director of the National Economic Council, are calling the shots on revitalizing (or destroying) the economy. Timmy Geithner is the patsy. They figured he probably had enough smarts and experience to get confirmed but enough weaknesses (to include an issue about not paying his taxes) to make him ineffective. (I don't know if Geithner saw it coming.)
So while O & S pump up big government with ever bigger steroids, er, spending, it's Geithner who is being set up for failure. He's the public face of the Administration on the economy and he's the one that has to play "stump the chump" with Congress, the media, and our allies. Obama isn't resigning and Summers isn't going anywhere -- so when a head has to roll -- it will be Geithner's.
Summers, who was a Treasury Secretary, doesn't want nor need too much attention in his current office. (I think his dull demeanor is an act when he hits the Sunday morning news programs.) As the economy continues to plunge south and as even more red ink will be spilled, it will be Geithner, not Summers, who will be called on to pay.
However, Timmy isn't going anywhere. As seen by the Administration's failure to fill the dozen and a half spots that require Senate ratification, it won't be easy getting another patsy. If Geithner couldn't bring himself to step down after it was made known that he studiously avoided paying taxes, it's not likely that he will resign willingly. He will have to be fired. So yesterday's screw up -- about being "open" to a worldwide currency other than the dollar -- will have little impact on Geithner's job security.
It didn't end well for Wilmer Cook in the movie. I'm sure it will be just as bad for Timmy (sans the bloodshed, of course).
Such is the case with the U.S. Treasury. President Obama and Larry Summers, his director of the National Economic Council, are calling the shots on revitalizing (or destroying) the economy. Timmy Geithner is the patsy. They figured he probably had enough smarts and experience to get confirmed but enough weaknesses (to include an issue about not paying his taxes) to make him ineffective. (I don't know if Geithner saw it coming.)
So while O & S pump up big government with ever bigger steroids, er, spending, it's Geithner who is being set up for failure. He's the public face of the Administration on the economy and he's the one that has to play "stump the chump" with Congress, the media, and our allies. Obama isn't resigning and Summers isn't going anywhere -- so when a head has to roll -- it will be Geithner's.
Summers, who was a Treasury Secretary, doesn't want nor need too much attention in his current office. (I think his dull demeanor is an act when he hits the Sunday morning news programs.) As the economy continues to plunge south and as even more red ink will be spilled, it will be Geithner, not Summers, who will be called on to pay.
However, Timmy isn't going anywhere. As seen by the Administration's failure to fill the dozen and a half spots that require Senate ratification, it won't be easy getting another patsy. If Geithner couldn't bring himself to step down after it was made known that he studiously avoided paying taxes, it's not likely that he will resign willingly. He will have to be fired. So yesterday's screw up -- about being "open" to a worldwide currency other than the dollar -- will have little impact on Geithner's job security.
It didn't end well for Wilmer Cook in the movie. I'm sure it will be just as bad for Timmy (sans the bloodshed, of course).
Monday, March 23, 2009
Your National Security Advisor At Work (Cont'd.)
A continuing series questioning General Jones' alleged toughness and smarts:
According to Gateway Pundit, Team Obama wrote a lovely note (they do a lot of letter writing over in the Oval Office nowadays) to former French President Jacques Chirac to say that he looks forward to working with him.
Unfortunately, Chirac is the former President of France.
********************
In other news, former ballet student and current hatchet man, Rahm Emanuel, has decided to conduct political get togethers in the Situation Room.
Did anybody think to ask the NSA as to whether this was appropriate? Or was, he, as the case seems to be -- simply ignored?
According to Gateway Pundit, Team Obama wrote a lovely note (they do a lot of letter writing over in the Oval Office nowadays) to former French President Jacques Chirac to say that he looks forward to working with him.
Unfortunately, Chirac is the former President of France.
********************
In other news, former ballet student and current hatchet man, Rahm Emanuel, has decided to conduct political get togethers in the Situation Room.
Did anybody think to ask the NSA as to whether this was appropriate? Or was, he, as the case seems to be -- simply ignored?
The stimulus to come...
The Falls Church News-Press (a left-leaning publication) paints a sad picture of the power of good intentions.
Several years back, Uncle Sugar offered four electric buses and funds to operate them through Falls Church, Va. Nothing like electric buses as a means of reducing mass transit's carbon footprint!
Needless to say but the electric buses didn't pan out -- they were too maintenance intensive. So they went with diesel.
Now the federal dollars are gone and the Falls Church city manager is trying to find a way to either fund the system (more taxes) or cut back on service. (As any drug pusher knows, once you get folks accustomed to the product, they realize that they can't do without it.)
I suspect that in the thousand plus pages of a mess known as the Reinvestment and Recovery Act -- there are plenty of other similar stimulating ideas. Unfortunately in an effort to solve today's problem they only beget tomorrow's problem.
Several years back, Uncle Sugar offered four electric buses and funds to operate them through Falls Church, Va. Nothing like electric buses as a means of reducing mass transit's carbon footprint!
Needless to say but the electric buses didn't pan out -- they were too maintenance intensive. So they went with diesel.
Now the federal dollars are gone and the Falls Church city manager is trying to find a way to either fund the system (more taxes) or cut back on service. (As any drug pusher knows, once you get folks accustomed to the product, they realize that they can't do without it.)
I suspect that in the thousand plus pages of a mess known as the Reinvestment and Recovery Act -- there are plenty of other similar stimulating ideas. Unfortunately in an effort to solve today's problem they only beget tomorrow's problem.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Your National Security Advisor at Work (Cont'd.)
(A continuing series...)
According to press reports, President Obama, sent a video to Iran looking for a "new day" in the Washington - Tehran relationship.
I'm sure it's the feel good video of the season; especially in the West Wing.
However, in the mosques in Tehran, I'm figuring that they are looking at this as a sign of Obama's weakness.
Full speed on the nuclear program and keep re-supplying Hezbollah!
(It's a darn shame that most people aren't like us -- it would make things so much easier.)
**************************
I'll cut the General some slack and assume he wasn't in the office when Team Obama thought that combat-wounded vets should pay for their medical treatment.
According to press reports, President Obama, sent a video to Iran looking for a "new day" in the Washington - Tehran relationship.
I'm sure it's the feel good video of the season; especially in the West Wing.
However, in the mosques in Tehran, I'm figuring that they are looking at this as a sign of Obama's weakness.
Full speed on the nuclear program and keep re-supplying Hezbollah!
(It's a darn shame that most people aren't like us -- it would make things so much easier.)
**************************
I'll cut the General some slack and assume he wasn't in the office when Team Obama thought that combat-wounded vets should pay for their medical treatment.
What's Going On?
Maybe I'm missing something here.
Among our political class:
Among our political class:
- The President appears on a comedy show and in the process mocks the handicapped.
- The President and the Congress sign a stimulus bill that nobody has read -- perhaps only after the fact. (Something akin to a battle damage assessment?)
- The House of Representatives, in a show of faux-anger, passes a law taxing the AIG bonus babies at a 90% rate despite the fact that it's not likely to withstand Constitutional muster.
In our media world:
- MSNBC wastes valuable prime-time trying to delegitimize the Republican opposition.
- The Fox blow-hards invite guests simply to hear themselves talk. Why bother to send the invites -- just yak away? (It may be too much to ask either Fox or MSNBC to actually gather and report news?)
- The local Fox affiliate news program showed a bunch of anti-Iraq War protesters last night. The spokesman was someone out of high school who said the war couldn't be won. (You can't blame him though as the media has been silent about the war since it's been won and that's not news.)
Granted, I'm cherry picking my examples but I think the point is clear -- we're are living in a crisis but our political and media classes are simply not up to the task.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Ruminations
Call it the Snyder Curse, but ever since Dan Snyder assumed control of the Washington Redskins, they haven't been, well, contenders. They overpaid for Albert Haynesworth to fix their weak defensive line. Now it appears that Mr. Haynesworth may spend some time in the clink.
I don't know why MSNBC treats Keith Olberman as the 800 pound gorilla -- among the 25-54 demographic, he's third among the news cable shows at 8 PM EDST and dead last when he's repeated at 10 PM EDST. Not exactly a barn-burner. But I figure he's the reason why there isn't a new show with a new host at 10 PM -- he doesn't want the competition within (MS)NBC.
Sooner or later, Obama -- if he's serious about entitlement reform or opts to finally make a tough decision -- he's going to have to buck his party. However, as he folds repeatedly like a lawn chair to get their support for "gimmes" such as a budget and a stimulus -- he's setting himself up for failure. Come this fall, Congress will be looking at 2010 -- not what Obama thinks is best. He's burning valuable political capital now.
For reasons beyond my meager ability to understand, it seems that education, energy, and health care are woven into the current economic crisis. Well, what about the lack of a college football playoff? I can imagine President Obama, saying the following: "Unless we get a definitive national college football champion, the current financial crisis will persist. That's why, today, I have established a federal commission..."
Nobody wants to jump on a sinking ship, but you'd think that getting 18 or so financial whizzes to join the Treasury Department wouldn't be this difficult. My gut tells me that nobody wants to work for Timmy Geithner.
A New York radio station changed formats this week from "mainstream" rock to Top 40. I was traumatized when this happened when I was a teenager. Nowadays, does anyone listen to the local radio?
I don't know why MSNBC treats Keith Olberman as the 800 pound gorilla -- among the 25-54 demographic, he's third among the news cable shows at 8 PM EDST and dead last when he's repeated at 10 PM EDST. Not exactly a barn-burner. But I figure he's the reason why there isn't a new show with a new host at 10 PM -- he doesn't want the competition within (MS)NBC.
Sooner or later, Obama -- if he's serious about entitlement reform or opts to finally make a tough decision -- he's going to have to buck his party. However, as he folds repeatedly like a lawn chair to get their support for "gimmes" such as a budget and a stimulus -- he's setting himself up for failure. Come this fall, Congress will be looking at 2010 -- not what Obama thinks is best. He's burning valuable political capital now.
For reasons beyond my meager ability to understand, it seems that education, energy, and health care are woven into the current economic crisis. Well, what about the lack of a college football playoff? I can imagine President Obama, saying the following: "Unless we get a definitive national college football champion, the current financial crisis will persist. That's why, today, I have established a federal commission..."
Nobody wants to jump on a sinking ship, but you'd think that getting 18 or so financial whizzes to join the Treasury Department wouldn't be this difficult. My gut tells me that nobody wants to work for Timmy Geithner.
A New York radio station changed formats this week from "mainstream" rock to Top 40. I was traumatized when this happened when I was a teenager. Nowadays, does anyone listen to the local radio?
Monday, March 09, 2009
Your National Security Advisor at Work
Apparently, the President has decided to focus (when not in pseudo-campaign mode) on domestic issues. As a result, he -- not unlike President Clinton -- has let the "experts" handle foreign policy.
For starters, it looks like the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) selected Chas Freeman to be the chief of the National Intelligence Council (NIC). Mr. Freeman has since declined the job.
Nonetheless, the NIC produces the authoritative National Intelligence Estimates which guides U.S. foreign policy. It seemed that Mr. Freeman had some explaining to do with regard to his "outlier" views on key issues. No doubt, Admiral (Ret'd.) Blair will take some well-deserved grief for the selection.
However, shouldn't the national security advisor been part of the selection process? If he was ignored (or not part of the input) doesn't it suggest that his views are, well, unimportant? If he did have input, what does it say about his judgment? From my soda-straw perspective, it looks like lose-lose.
Moreover, who put the idea in the President's head about "moderate" Taliban? After seven plus years, those Taliban who wanted to come over -- probably have. Those who joined after their ejection into the mountainous hinterlands are likely to be hard core. (All bets are off should Obama go to the mountains -- with his teleprompter -- and talk to the Taliban.)
Then (I can go on but three examples should suffice) what was the anticipated end state when dealing with the Russians regarding Iran? The actual result had us looking as if we let the Poles and the Czechs twist in the wind with no Russian change in policy. Moreover, it has downgraded the critical missile defense system to a bargaining chip. Who was dumb enough to think that the Russians were going to take a bite on that offer?
General (Ret'd.) James Jones hasn't been getting much press as the president's national security advisor. However, given these recent debacles , maybe he should.
For starters, it looks like the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) selected Chas Freeman to be the chief of the National Intelligence Council (NIC). Mr. Freeman has since declined the job.
Nonetheless, the NIC produces the authoritative National Intelligence Estimates which guides U.S. foreign policy. It seemed that Mr. Freeman had some explaining to do with regard to his "outlier" views on key issues. No doubt, Admiral (Ret'd.) Blair will take some well-deserved grief for the selection.
However, shouldn't the national security advisor been part of the selection process? If he was ignored (or not part of the input) doesn't it suggest that his views are, well, unimportant? If he did have input, what does it say about his judgment? From my soda-straw perspective, it looks like lose-lose.
Moreover, who put the idea in the President's head about "moderate" Taliban? After seven plus years, those Taliban who wanted to come over -- probably have. Those who joined after their ejection into the mountainous hinterlands are likely to be hard core. (All bets are off should Obama go to the mountains -- with his teleprompter -- and talk to the Taliban.)
Then (I can go on but three examples should suffice) what was the anticipated end state when dealing with the Russians regarding Iran? The actual result had us looking as if we let the Poles and the Czechs twist in the wind with no Russian change in policy. Moreover, it has downgraded the critical missile defense system to a bargaining chip. Who was dumb enough to think that the Russians were going to take a bite on that offer?
General (Ret'd.) James Jones hasn't been getting much press as the president's national security advisor. However, given these recent debacles , maybe he should.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Ruminations
Lost in the brouhaha in the White House vs. Rush battle is the fact that George Stephanopoulos participated in daily conference calls with the White House chief of staff and other Clinton-era operatives. Maybe, I'm old school, but I think it was wrong for these events to be held with a network anchor. However, if you do need a media representative, shouldn't they have partnered with Keith Olberman?
Joe Biden convenes secret meetings with a powerful interest group. I'm holding my breath for the Congressional inquiry.
Too bad the White House doesn't have anybody on staff who knows the protocols of dealing with European heads of government. If they did, then Obama's gift to Gordon Brown wouldn't have been so insulting. Further proof that General (Ret'd.) Jones is window dressing.
If Obama is so insistent that we don't torture, why does he insist that Robert Gibbs be his press secretary? C'mon, there are only so many "umh's" a person can tolerate without breaking.
Just when I thought that Joe Biden was the second coming of Dan Quayle, it dawned on me that he's actually the return of Spiro T. Agnew.
Larry King thought he was funny last night when he remarked that those who voted against the stimulus bill hadn't read it either. There's no shame in retirement, Larry.
The jobless crisis claimed another victim this week -- a State Department Russian translator.
UPDATE: Further proof that General Jones is a potted plant.
Joe Biden convenes secret meetings with a powerful interest group. I'm holding my breath for the Congressional inquiry.
Too bad the White House doesn't have anybody on staff who knows the protocols of dealing with European heads of government. If they did, then Obama's gift to Gordon Brown wouldn't have been so insulting. Further proof that General (Ret'd.) Jones is window dressing.
If Obama is so insistent that we don't torture, why does he insist that Robert Gibbs be his press secretary? C'mon, there are only so many "umh's" a person can tolerate without breaking.
Just when I thought that Joe Biden was the second coming of Dan Quayle, it dawned on me that he's actually the return of Spiro T. Agnew.
Larry King thought he was funny last night when he remarked that those who voted against the stimulus bill hadn't read it either. There's no shame in retirement, Larry.
The jobless crisis claimed another victim this week -- a State Department Russian translator.
UPDATE: Further proof that General Jones is a potted plant.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Timmy's Travails
Six weeks into the administration -- and Timmy Geithner is still flying solo at the Treasury Department. The Department has 17 positions that require Senate confirmation. So far, no names have been ponied up.
Apparently, it's not for a want of trying. According to the AP, a prospective deputy decided to take a pass when offered the job.
However, the bright spot (everything is relative these days) is the fact that he has a 50-member advisory board.
When you have 50 guys and gals giving you advice -- you're not getting smarter -- you're getting confused. (I'd be curious to know how many of them are erstwhile lobbyists.)
One blogger is perplexed.
He needn't be.
The key to understanding is that this administration, with respect to domestic affairs, prefers to to micro-manage. (Hillary got her secretaryship to take her out of the 2012 race and even Team Obama knew their limitations when it came to defense.)
Geithner, eager to have his signature on the currency and willing to embarass himself about his tax-dodging, took the job. It seems that subordinate position holders aren't willing to accept a title without commensurate authority.
Proximity is power. Larry Summers is decamped somewhere in the White House. He has the President's ear. He develops the policies -- for better or worse -- and the folks over at Treasury are expected to carry it out. Who -- with 15-20 years experience in financial matters -- wants to do the job a glorified college intern? After six weeks the answer is clear -- nobody.
Treasury will not be the only department to have this problem. The czars and czarinas at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue will be the power brokers. They won't be simply "coordinating." They will be barking out orders that begin with, "The President wants..."
If that's not a recipe for disaster, then it should be in the cookbook.
Expect a rounding up of the usual suspects -- mostly hacks -- to fill in the Treasury Department. Based on the recent performance of the stock market, it's not as if the economy was an administration priority anyway.
Apparently, it's not for a want of trying. According to the AP, a prospective deputy decided to take a pass when offered the job.
However, the bright spot (everything is relative these days) is the fact that he has a 50-member advisory board.
When you have 50 guys and gals giving you advice -- you're not getting smarter -- you're getting confused. (I'd be curious to know how many of them are erstwhile lobbyists.)
One blogger is perplexed.
He needn't be.
The key to understanding is that this administration, with respect to domestic affairs, prefers to to micro-manage. (Hillary got her secretaryship to take her out of the 2012 race and even Team Obama knew their limitations when it came to defense.)
Geithner, eager to have his signature on the currency and willing to embarass himself about his tax-dodging, took the job. It seems that subordinate position holders aren't willing to accept a title without commensurate authority.
Proximity is power. Larry Summers is decamped somewhere in the White House. He has the President's ear. He develops the policies -- for better or worse -- and the folks over at Treasury are expected to carry it out. Who -- with 15-20 years experience in financial matters -- wants to do the job a glorified college intern? After six weeks the answer is clear -- nobody.
Treasury will not be the only department to have this problem. The czars and czarinas at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue will be the power brokers. They won't be simply "coordinating." They will be barking out orders that begin with, "The President wants..."
If that's not a recipe for disaster, then it should be in the cookbook.
Expect a rounding up of the usual suspects -- mostly hacks -- to fill in the Treasury Department. Based on the recent performance of the stock market, it's not as if the economy was an administration priority anyway.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Tea Party Crasher
Are you looking for an intellectual argument that undercuts the premise behind the Tea Parties (i.e., spending money we don't have for various bailouts)? If so, don't waste your time here.
Unless, you think "grow up" passes for an argument.
Unless, you think "grow up" passes for an argument.
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