A Wistful Farewell

How sweet the silent backward tracings! The wanderings as in dreams- the meditation of old times resumed- their loves, joys, persons, voyages.
-W. Whitman, 1888

Near the end of his life while full of reflection and wonder, Walt Whitman penned the poem above simply titled Memories. The poem offers a meditative summary of life past and a pensive commentary on the increasingly lost art of reflection. For Whitman, the memories of time past take on a ghost like quality enabling the dreamer-poet to recall loves, joys and the journey they yield. The poem demonstrates how easy it is to become lost in thought and the innate human desire, on occasion, to re-experience our hallowed past.

As Christmas nears, Whitman's poem aptly describes my thoughts in reflecting upon two years of blogging. As I sift through the archives, it is with more then vapid nostalgia that I revisit my life's online snapshot beginning in December of 2004. If the blog has assumed any sort of theme it is the one perhaps most intuitive: consistent change. As a twenty-nothing, I suppose this period of life is by definition somewhat transitional. Something new always appears at each, least expected point and the future is far from definite though increasingly less so.

But what makes Pax Plena exceptional for this period of life is that it has remained my only constant. Together we have explored a time of tumultuous, domestic political change seeing the GOP make tremendous gains in 2004 only to find them utterly dashed by Democrats in 2006. Internationally, we have witnessed the devastating effects of Islamic fundamentalism in Iraq while America concurrently faces a rising threat of the same from Iran next door. Personally, I have traversed the plain of all-night paper writing and coffee to the reality of college graduation and work. Generally, we have shared thoughts on everything from philosophy and theology to college football and love. When I think about the above, I am most proud that our humble slice of the web has been varied and peculiar. I believe this is mostly true to life. For life is oddly akin to blogging insofar as we weave many disparate elements together while compacting them into an odd, eclectic mix of conversation we call existence.

But Whitman seems to indicate that while sometimes change comes to us, in other instances we act to facilitate its actualization. Thus have I arrived at the present juncture for this blog. The time to interject change is appropriately on the two-year anniversary of when I began. There are many reasons for calling it quits. None will be more convincing than to say that I simply feel the time is ripe to move on toward other creative/political outlets. My daily posts and the discussions they have generated over the past two years have provided me a tremendous amount of fulfillment, but the process also requires no small amount of effort as the many half-begun blogs which last only a couple of weeks on end can attest. Suffice it to say, having an opinion articulated on various issues in a public forum is no easy commitment.

To the regulars who have come by, I offer my sincere appreciation for your comments and remarks at length. In our democratic republic, speech is always better than silence even if we part company in our respective views. For those interested, I plan to leave the site ‘running’ for a time though no new post should be expected. Rather, the archives will remain undeleted should anyone wish to review a post or add a few additional comments. I will most likely respond at some point. Within a month or two, however, the entire site should be pretty well abated. As always, I will reserve the right to revisit the blog at a later point- Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have taught me well that nothing builds a following quite like indecision.

Next year the political winds will herald the arrival of Election 2008. New domestic issues will appear on the American plain. New classes will graduate from College. And a new generation of Americans will claim their birthright and pursue nothing less than the American dream. Abroad, different challenges will arise in the Middle East. New solutions will be sought in Iraq and options will be weighed for mitigating situations with Iran and North Korea. The need for leaders of integrity and courage will continue apace. Somewhere within all of the chaos a new blogger will take up the mantle and weigh in. To borrow a line from Whitman, in another place I will read the post while silently ruminating on the backward tracings of my two-year foray into blogging. I will think about the conclusion of my college career and how swiftly life can change.

And then I will smile in meditation of old times resumed if only for a moment.

Blue Christmas in CO

If you're doing any traveling during the Holidays, keep in mind no matter how terrible the service may be, should you reach your destination you're doing better than most
folks in Denver.

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Trump v. Rosie

How much lower can the American mind sink?

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Tory Party Makes Gains in UK

Although the source is somewhat dubious, I can't help but applaud the progress made by British conservatives and the Tory Party under its new leader David Cameron. 

 

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And why not support them?  After all, I have always maintained a soft spot for their eponymous party.

New York Times Offers Marriage Tips

I'm not sure when the NYT shifted from bad journalism to bad counseling, but somewhere between 2AM and 10AM they did.  The result truly is one of the more random items to make the most popular list on the NYT website. 

 

Must be the approaching holidays and one too many viewings of Love Actually.

 

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Anyway, my snarky comments aside, the questions they pose for couples soon to be wed are actually well worth considering.  To my engaged readers, I submit them for your review.  To my embittered readers, I submit them for your contempt.

Former OK Governor Frank Keating Tests Presidential Waters

The Daily Oklahoman ran an exciting feature story for the Republican party in today's paper discussing a trip to South Carolina by former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating.  The move is said to indicate that Keating is exploring his options for making a 2008 run for President.

While the race may have long odds, some high profile Republicans have already expressed positive sentiments toward the run- including National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Cole who happens to be a fellow Oklahoman. 

 

Cole was quoted as saying:

 

I think he's an enormously attractive candidate. I happen to think there's an opening in the field for someone with his particular belief structure.

 

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Cole's comments hit at the heart of Keating's rationale: what makes the run so compelling is the vacuum of a tried and true "Reagan" Conservative.  Keating would certainly fit the bill in his consistent, socially conservative positions along with his penchant for promoting fiscal discipline through smaller government.  His record in Oklahoma speaks for itself. 

 

Keating's obvious pitfalls are name recognition and fundraising.  To some extent, a Keating run would be mitigated by his tenure as Governor hearkening back to a lengthy record of accomplishment for the Sooner State.  Among Republican fundraising circles, Keating is stranger either.  Keating was one of President Bush's stanchest supporters in his bid for the Presidency traveling to some 25 states during the campaign.  Townhall's Bob Novack is also quick to point out in today's column that Keating was on Bush's shortlist for VP back in 2000.

 

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Keating in '08?  Stranger things have happened.

Bloggers Make Waves in Iran

In the past couple of years, it has been my very distinct privilege to participate as a blogger in an utter revolution of mass media.  From taking center stage in politics during the 2004 elections to giving a voice to the beleaguered denizens of Iraq, private weblogs have effectively democratized an arena which was once the sole domain of pundits and major news outlets. 

 

It might not seem like a big stretch for folks in the West to have a blog, but in the face of rampant opposition (including a ban on high-speed Internet access in private homes), bloggers in Iran are fostering a current of political dissent against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's radical government.  The Boston Globe has the interesting account of two bloggers and their efforts to test the limits of the Iranian theocracy through the proliferation of ideas and debate on-line. 

 

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After reading the story, it is unconscionable that the Baker-Hamilton commission would advocate we negotiate with such a regime as the government in Tehran.

Congressional Cutie Set to Wed

Finally, in the saddest news item of the day, my Congressional crush SD's Stephanie Herseth is reportedly off the market.

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Rep. Herseth is engaged to former Rep. Max Sandlin of Texas.

TO fined 35K for Spitting Incident

Cowboys wide-receiver Terrell Owens was fined $35,000 for spitting in the face of Atlanta cornerback DeAngelo Hall on Saturday.

 

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It's hardly a drop in the bucket for T.O. but it's more than well-deserved.  His numbers this season are among the best in the league but his antics are an embarrassment to the Cowboys organization.

US Holds Direct Negotiations with North Korea

I could be wrong, but it seems significantly under-reported that the US has reversed course in its approach to dealing with North Korea. 

 

For years, the position of the Bush administration has been to relegate any negotiations with the North Koreans to six-party talks involving North Korea, South Korea, China, Japan, Russia and the US.  By contrast, today's headlines show in essence bilateral negotiations between the US and NK with six-party talks occurring only on the periphery.

 

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The difference is obvious.  The only question remaining is how long until Bush is called on the flip.

NRO, Setting the Record Straight on Lemmings

Yes, you read the title correctly.  The National Review's John Miller weighs in on a decades old case of libel by the Walt Disney Company against the lemmings. 

 

I guess you've got to pick the battles you can win. 

 

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For some of the more 'mature' readers among the Pax Plena faithful, perhaps you may recall seeing the video below in elementary school?  It dates to 1964 and has a bit of grain to it.  While I can't imagine it being shown to kids today, it is pretty funny nevertheless.  Or perhaps I'm just morbid. 

 

The best scene is towards the end.

ABC: Bye-Bye, Bayh

This has to be the single worst political headline of 2006.



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Democrats Shirk on AIDS Relief Funding

For all of the talk about being bleeding-hearted and compassionate, the liberal Democrat Congressional leadership is a lot less apt to back up its rhetoric with action in the fight against AIDS and Malaria.



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Dreaming of a White Christmas?

Now, you can have one- regardless of where you are. 

It's Christmas made to order and it only costs around $160 per ton. 
 
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Best News on Iran in Weeks

The AP wires are trumpeting news that opponents of Iran's radical President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are pulling ahead in local elections. 

 

The move could bode well for other candidates who are vying for seats on the 86-member Assembly of Experts which is charged with selecting Iran's next Supreme Leader when the ailing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei steps down.  The Ayatollah is Iran's ultimate ruler and appoints the President.

 

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Meanwhile, the NRO's Ilan Berman underscores why it is of paramount importance that the Ahmadinejad threat be taken seriously.

 

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Education and Indoctrination

The NYT ran an interesting story out of Kearny, NJ highlighting the often tenuous line between education and indoctrination in America's classrooms.

In brief, the story follows the tale of a disaffected student from the Garden State (as if one needed more reason to be disaffected) who was taken aback by issues his history teacher raised with the theory of evolution.

As the article shows, the response for any embittered youth, quite naturally, is to get back at the teacher of his or her ire. The student in question Matt LaClair did exactly this. Taunting his teacher with religiously loaded questions (for the record, LaClair's teacher David Paszkiewicz is also a youth pastor), LaClair then recorded his teacher's reactions and sent them to the New York Times which obliged the submission with a feature story in its regional offerings.

The result has been a ubiquitous firestorm of controversy: the teacher was accordingly reprimanded by the district- although he was not fired because of his stellar teaching record; and LaClair's letters to the principal now grace the headlines of the Nation's largest daily paper.

LaClair wrote:

I care about the future generation and I do not want Mr. Paszkiewicz to continue preaching to and poisoning students.

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I suppose context is everything. It is important to keep in mind that the NYT failed to post copies of the recordings and did little more than cite ad nauseum its interview with LaClair. In turn, only one side of the issue was aptly presented. Nevertheless, for the sake of discussion let us assume that the account of the Times is accurate.

Even so, proselytizing in a public high school is not a far cry from similar indoctrinations which take place in public universities across the country. From Ward Churchill to Noam Chomsky, academics have been long been notorious for student indoctrination in every field from political science to religious studies. Churchill of the University of Colorado, you will recall dubbed the 9/11 victims as Little Eichmanns while MIT's Chomsky, whose actual field is in theoretical linguistics, has been praised for his criticisms of the US government by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and has also been implicated in supporting Holocaust denier Robert Faurisson. Public school teachers both.

The point in mentioning the above is simply that the lines between proselytization and education have long been blurred. My own experiences at Dartmouth in both the Departments of Government and Religion have only reinforced my firm belief that students can be intimidated and embarrassed by overeager professors whose aim is not so much to teach as it is to indoctrinate. Often it is the subtle forms of indoctrination which are most poisonous to use LaClair's term. But the issue cuts both ways. From politically biased cartoons on faculty doors, to abject dismissal of ethical concerns surrounding stem cell research, liberal academics are just as prone to indoctrinating students as the youth pastor featured in the NYT.

The problem with this issue in particular is that the media like much of the academy is only interested in policing when its example runs counter to its interest. Baiting a public school teacher with loaded questions on religion runs afoul only when the teacher answers the questions with a religious hue. But calling 9/11 survivors little Eichmanns draws critical acclaim for its courage.

As Vonnegut would say, 'So it goes.

ScrappleFace: Kerry Humbled to Be Named Time’s ‘Person of the Year’

ScrappleFace once again strikes satiric gold.



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Newsweek: Is America Read for Hillary or Obama?

In effort to drum up support for Democrats in 2008, Newsweek (and every other media outlet) asks the question above.

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My answer: no.

But they give a lot of emotional arguments to guilt us into it:

No one knows yet whether we are serious now, and we won't find out for sure unless it happens. But the record of white males in high places has not exactly been stellar of late, and voters might be in the mood to try something historic and possibly redemptive. A black president in a country that fought a civil war over race might even prove cathartic. And a woman president would show the rest of the world that the United States is not a sexist nation. Whatever happens, the process feels uplifting.

So, the basic points as distilled form this gem of a passage is that we should vote for Obama because of slavery- we need redemption after all. And we should vote for Hillary because we don't want to be perceived as a bunch of sexist Americans. What would France think!

I'm sure it would never escape the watchful eye of Newsweek, but couldn't it be the case that Americans would vote for Obama or Hillary because they agreed with their respective visions for the country? I would of course hasten to argue," no" because it's hard to find a more left-wing pair than Obama and Hillary.

But they at least deserve the chance to lose on their own merits.

Feel Good Story of the Year

For all those in need of a self-esteem boost, Time Magazine has named YOU person of the year.

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Sen. Kerry Defends Trip to Syria

You had to have seen this coming. It's vintage John Kerry to support those who foment violence in the Middle East.



After all, nothing says "I love America" like undermining U.S. foreign policy.

Indiana's Bayh Drops Presidential Bid

In a party increasingly dominated by liberals, another moderate Democrat calls it quits.



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FL Execution Lasts 34 Minutes

I've never been one to oppose capital punishment.

But a 34-minute execution seems more than a bit inhumane- even if protocol was followed.

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Up-date: Apparently, I'm not the only one who thinks it was cruel.

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Generals Call for More Troops

The latest news out of Washington is that American Generals assessing the situation in Iraq have concluded our present course is untenable

More troops.

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Interestingly, the solution is much closer to the one proposed by Republican Senator John McCain than proposals made by the Baker-Hamilton Commission and Democrat leaders.

Iranian Elections Underway

The Iranian equivalent of Congressional elections got underway this afternoon.

While spurring on the country's 'glorious' election, former President Mohammad Khatami encouraged Iranians to vote early and often.

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Dartmouth Alums Weigh in on UND Symbol

The conversation continues apace some two weeks after my initial comments on the Dartmouth-UND fiasco (the game is set to be played Dec. 29th, fyi).

 

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Within the thread, you'll find remarks from Dr. Lori Arviso Alvord a Dartmouth ' 79 who defends the NAC ad and Athletic Director Josie Harper. 

 

My reply follows immediately after hers.

 

 

Changes for Pax Plena

All good things must come to an end. Some faster than others. Blogs are no exception according to the BBC. The latest figures as reported today by the Gartner Research company is that blogging will level off next year after a long period of sustained growth.

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Reasons for the decline are wide and varied. Some indicate that blogs become boring after a period of time and people lose interest. Gartner's explanation is that most people who would start a blog have already begun one leading to a static number of blogs in existence.

In other words, those who enjoy blogging keep it up. Those who have become disaffected with it move on. The explanation reeks of tautology but who am I to judge such a large research/technology company? Their final conclusion via Technorati is that only 55% of all blogs are even active - active defined as those blogs with an update at least once every three months. I suppose I can not account for their definition but I know that my readership here would not tune in if my postings were as infrequent. One post every three months isn't enough to interest Blogger itself much less anyone reading.

Regardless, the numbers generated are of especially significant interest to me as I think about the future of Pax Plena this Holiday season. In some ways, this blog has been my most faithful companion over the years- providing an outlet for expression on anything from my frustrations with Iran to my thoughts on Christmas in 2004. But as I look ahead and consider so many important life decisions which loom on the horizon, I am slowly beginning to reassess what I hope to accomplish in this space.

On the one hand, the medium definitely has its positive elements. Blogging has always been a tremendous amount of fun for me. There's nothing quite like engaging people in an honest debate of ideas. Blogging has also provided a venue by which I can keep my writing sharp and my wits sharper though both, admittedly, are subject to taste. Blogging in general has led to the utter democratization of the media. People sitting at home eating pizza (read Matt Drudge) possess as much ability to affect public opinion as a pundit on CNN.

At the same time, blogging also has its negative elements as well. Blogging can become just as partisan and just as reflexive as the same hypothetical pundit mentioned above. Blogging also presents the added dilemma of enabling pre-judgement based on previous writings. Sort of like having a voting record without having actually voted on anything. For example, some opinions expressed through writing can be much more forcefully stated than opinions shared in a discussion with friends where civility and cordiality rule the day. Given the disparity, it is increasingly easy for strangers to hold a pre-judgment of any blogger given what they might have read on-line.

More to the point dear readers is that in looking ahead, I am deciding which course I would like to take in the coming weeks. It seems I have the option of either making the blog bigger and better than its ever been through a wholesale revamping of the site replete with a personal domain name, fresh template and server space.

Or I can call it a post and sign off as humble as we came nearly two years ago. The ultimate decision is far from clear at this point but the initial article prompted my thoughts. I expect to make an announcement by Christmas so, as always, stay tuned.

Ban Ki-moon Sworn in as UN Secretary-General

The rumors on the Internets are that South Korean foreign minister Ban Ki-moon was sworn in today as Secretary-General of the United Nations.

 

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From all of us here at Pax Plena, three cheers for Ban Ki-moon.  After all, he can't do any worse than Kofi Annan...

 

All-day Rush Hour Coming Soon to NYC

Well, not too soon.  But in the neighborhood of 2030 to be exact. 

 

City planning teams released some interesting findings today which predict massive congestion problems for the city's infrastructure if measures are not undertaken soon to anticipate the problems. 

 

Some of the more noteworthy predictions include: a subway system crammed beyond capacity, 24-hour rush hour, energy blackouts, and a severe affordable housing shortage.  Some 30% of New Yorkers pay more than half their income toward rent at present.

 

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New York's well earned liberal reputation certainly preceded itself in the committee's suggestions.  Their solution to vehicle over-crowding is to tax vehicles and trash. 

 

There was once a point when I thought living in a big city would be appealing.  Having lived in the much smaller cities of Washington DC and Boston, and especially when I think of my own morning commute on Boston's much smaller subway system, nothing sounds less appealing than living in a crowded, expensive city like New York. 

NRO Talks College Football

It takes some talent to make an otherwise exciting game like college football about as interesting as the federal tax code.  But the NRO's Geoffrey Norman somehow pulls it off. 

 

Here is yet another reason why politicos should stick to politics and leave sports writing to sports writers:

 

When in the course of human affairs your favorite team gets stiffed by the BCS …well, there isn't anything to do but to go to the barricades. Some injustices are simply insupportable, and denying the Michigan football team an opportunity to play Ohio State (again) for the national championship is plainly one. Revolutions have been ignited for less.
 

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It only gets worse.  Read at your own risk.  Norman is wrong anyway.  Michigan was already destroyed by Ohio State earlier this season.  No one outside the Big 10 wanted to see history repeat itself.

Powerful Argument Against Surrender in Iraq

The Baker-Hamilton prescription for a face-saving surrender (in an age of Holiday trees and political correctness, is there any other kind of surrender?) was dealt a heavy blow by a pithy, articulate op-ed penned by Tony Blankley of the Washington Times. 
 

Here's an excerpt: 

If Washington gossip is right, even many of the president's own advisers in the White House and the key cabinet offices have given up on success. Official Washington, the media and much of the public have fallen under the unconscionable thrall of defeatism. Which is to say that they cannot conceive of a set of policies -- for a nation of 300 million with an annual GDP of more than $12 trillion dollars and all the skills and technologies known to man -- to subdue the city of Baghdad and environs. Do you think Gen. Patton or Abe Lincoln or Winston Churchill or Joseph Stalin would have thrown their hands up and say "I give up, there's nothing we can do?"

 

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Indeed, when the issue is presented in terms of American largess, defeat becomes a much less attractive option.  Regardless, the President is left in a very challenging position with so much at stake and the fate of a Nation hanging in the balance. 

Everybody Loves Raymond's "Frank" Dead at 71

Peter Boyle who starred as Frank Barone in Everybody Loves Raymond passed away Tuesday evening.

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Boyle was 71.

*Photo Courtesy of CBS

CNN on Race, Gender and the Oval Office

Get ready folks.  CNN is already previewing the race and gender victimization questions we will no doubt hear everyday until either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama get beat by John McCain.

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In the final installment of his Screwtape Letters, it was the venerable C.S. Lewis who wrote:

The feeling I mean is of course that which prompts a man to say I'm as good as you.  The first and most obvious advantage is that you thus induce him to enthrone at the centre of his life a good, solid, resounding lie. I don't mean merely that his statement is false in fact, that he is no more equal to everyone he meets in kindness, honesty, and good sense than in height or waist measurement. I mean that he does not believe it himself. No man who says I'm as good as you believes it. He would not say it if he did. The St. Bernard never says it to the toy dog, nor the scholar to the dunce, nor the employable to the bum, nor the pretty woman to the plain. The claim to equality, outside the strictly political field, is made only by those who feel themselves to be in some way inferior. What it expresses is precisely the itching, smarting, writhing awareness of an inferiority which the patient refuses to accept.

 

This pretty well sums up my thoughts on the questions CNN poses. 

 

Many liberals who pride themselves for advocating on behalf of race and gender equity do so in the sense that they feel the need to spread the word that women and minorities are every bit 'as good' as men and whites.  The problem as Lewis astutely notes is that these sorts of conversations do very little in effecting true equality.  His supporting examples are timeless. 

 

The take home point is that if CNN wishes to raise awareness about the gender and race of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama the best thing it can do as a media outlet is forget about their gender and race altogether; focus on their respective policy positions; and try to ferret out who has the best vision to lead the United States. 

More Christmas Tree Fallout

Normally, I enjoy listening to Lou Dobbs about as much as I enjoy listening to Nancy Pelosi. 

 

Root canals are more enjoyable.

 

But this is quite possibly the most intelligent thing Lou Dobbs has said in the past six years.

 

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Barack Hussein Obama

The BBC's love affair with Barack Obama is, of course, fairly typical.

But I didn't know his middle name was "Hussein."

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How unfortunate.

Interpol Aids Spy Murder Investigation

We've commented a few times here at Pax Plena on the investigation surrounding the murder of Alexander Litvinenko.  The case could easily be turned into a movie if they solve the case.   

 

Anyway, today the latest news out of the UK is that the international investigation organization Interpol has joined the Litvinenko case.  They will reportedly help facilitate communication in the investigation which now spans three countries.

 

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Let's hope they have more sophisticated methods than Google.

Christmas Trees Only a Grinch Could Love

Every year we have this debate.  Should public Christmas trees really be called 'Christmas trees' or should they be called 'Holiday trees'? 

 

In turn, every year the ACLU and an assorted cadre of Christmas Grinches trot out the same tired arguments for why America should no longer celebrate Christmas.  This year the Port of Seattle commission took the fracas to an embarrassing, indecisive new low. 

 

Just yesterday the Port of Seattle removed all Christmas trees from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport after a local Rabbi threatened to file suit against the Port of Seattle Commission for failing to include other decorations from multiple faiths. 

 

The move was ineffective anyway.  Most of the major airlines ignored the ruling, pooled their money, and bought mini-Christmas trees to decorate their counters while the Port of Seattle commission played Scrooge.  Today, the commission reversed its decision and returned all of the trees- only after the Rabbi in question backed off of his threat of suit. 

 

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Like most politically correct platitudes, the whole debate is silly. While its true that there are multiple faiths who celebrate holidays around this time of year, the over-whelming majority of Americans celebrate Christmas.  Substituting 'Holiday' for 'Christmas' only insults peoples' intelligence.   

Sen. DeWine Ends Career Lauding Fallen Troops

He may have lost his re-election bid over the War in Iraq, but no one can take issue with the way in which Sen. Mike DeWine has honored each of Ohio's fallen soldiers.

Ohio's Senior Senator took the wanning hours of his Senate career to deliver some 75 speeches on the floor of the United States Senate. The move pays final tribute to all of the Buckeye State's soldiers who perished in Iraq and Afghanistan.

To create the tributes, DeWine's staff has routinely gathered information at length about each soldier and regularly attended funeral services of the deceased since combat operations began in Afghanistan in 2002. Dewine's tributes are all entered into the Congressional record creating a permanent record of each soldier's sacrifice for the Nation.

In his final remarks as a Senator, DeWine said:

"I would say, Mr. President, to the families of those who have died in Iraq, Afghanistan, in training exercises in service to our country, that I will remember them, and I will think about them until the day I die."

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Democrat Intelligence Leader Flunks Intel Quiz

House Democrats. Making America proud...

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Barack Obama Weekends in NH

With Congress now adjourned and the President awaiting Russia's blessing before dealing with Iran, the biggest political news of the weekend swirled around Illinois Senator Barack Obama's trip to New Hampshire. 

 

To be sure, the trip was anything but a weekend getaway as Obama tests drives his political acumen in the home of the First in the Nation Primary.  Given the trip, Obama is now more widely speculated than ever to be gearing up for a political run poising himself as the centrist alternative to a polarizing Hillary Clinton. 

 

Helping the cause, the New York Times was quick to trump up Obama's visit as a smashing centrist hit in NH adding that the Junior Senator sold out a rally/fundraiser on behalf of the New Hampshire Democrat Party. 

 

I have to admit the press coverage and glossy photos are mighty impressive for a Junior Senator with no record of which to speak.  Unfortunately, this lack of record is likely Obama's biggest asset.  Without a neddlesome Congressional voting record, Obama can easily cast himself as the Hillary alternative by adjusting his rhetoric to match a more moderate key than his intra-party rivals.

 

But as the campaign seasons picks up speed not everyone is charmed.  After some crack sleuthing into his Illinois voting record, Human Events dubs Obama, "Just another liberal."

 

While Obama has a knack for portraying himself as an even-handed politician, who is inspired by traditional religious values, he has earned 100% ratings from Americans for Democratic Action, NARAL Pro-Choice America, the National Organization of Women, the NAACP and the NEA.

 

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The take home point is that anyone backed by NARAL, NOW, the NAACP and NEA is far from being a centrist alternative.

Stealing Hearts?

This is, perhaps, the worst way to win a person's affection--followed closely by being clingy and high maintenance.

 

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Who Needs 007 When you Have Google.com?

You know it's a sad day for American intelligence when we are reduced to gathering information via Google.

 

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Shouldn't America expect more from our intelligence community than this?

Cherie Blair's Nude Painting Surfaces

The AFP is reporting that British Prime Minister Tony Blair's wife Cherie posed nude for paintings during her twenty-something years.  

 

Granted a person's twenties isn't the most laudable period of life, but at least Laura Bush wouldn't do anything like that...

 

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Missile Defense Test Fails in HI

So much for our missile defense industry.

For now, looks like we're just wasting billions of dollars on a program that doesn't work. I think it's time we make some cuts...

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Update: Perhaps I spoke too soon on the cuts. Here is an eloquent defense of the program.

Reactions Abound to Baker-Hamilton

It must be a slow news day given that most of the major articles out deal in some way with the Baker-Hamilton report. Nevertheless, military leaders are finally beginning to offer their replies to the commission's strategy for Iraq.

Let's just say they are less than enamoured.

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Meanwhile, allies of Condi Rice and James Baker are quietly having a war of words down in
Foggy Bottom over the proper handling of American foreign policy. The two visions couldn't be more different.

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But really none of it matters a whole lot anyway. The President has made clear he has no desire to solicit help from Syria and Iran one of the commission's key recommendations- which makes perfect sense given that those two nations amount to a large part of the problem in the Middle East. He has also made clear his intent to stay the course as opposed to a more rapid withdrawal on the order of months not years.

So really, unless Congress pushes through some defeatist measure when the Democrats take charge in January there will no be a discernible change of policy for Iraq this year.

TN Senator Bill Frist Leaves Senate

When I first met Bill Frist at a NH GOP fundraiser back in February 2005, I never would have guessed that his political career would end on such a dour note.  He was by all accounts from the students I took to the event a very affable guy with a lot of political potential. 

 

In New Hampshire speak, that means we all figured he would run for President in 2008. 

 

But instead Frist announced his intent to retire without launching a Presidential run making him even more of an oddity than if he had.

 

When discussing his waning hours in Congressional service and his early departure from National politics, Frist said:

 

"We're moving toward a body that has too much of a two-year vision of governing for the next election rather than a body with a 20-year vision governing for the future," he told his colleagues. "I urge that we ask ourselves what it is that our forefathers envisioned. Is today's reality what they foresaw?"

 

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It's too bad the Bay State's Senators Teddy Kennedy and John Kerry will not take his advice to heart. 

A Hybrid Approach to Iraq

My apologies for the late blogging start. I've converted our server over to Blogger's new beta version and it inadvertantly took me off line for a few hours. Should have known.

Anyway, Scrappleface came through with yet another great parody of the Baker-Hamilton strategy for defeat. Their latest post offers a new 'hybrid' plan for talks with Iran and Syria.

Here is an excerpt.

“Nobody’s better at making our point clear than the U.S. military,” the anonymous source added, “and for convenience sake, our troops are willing to conduct those talks right downtown in Tehran and Damascus. We’ve got squadrons standing by ready to conduct a little shuttle diplomacy.”

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Shuttle diplomacy indeed.

Bush Weighs In on Baker-Hamilton Report

By now news of the dismal Baker-Hamilton report is old hat, but what does President Bush have say of their recommendations?

Unsurprisingly not much and that is a collective good for the World and for stability in the region. After all, anything that the NYT endorses on this issue must in principle be wrong.

But he does have some tough words for involving Syria and Iran in the Iraqi solution:

But one thing is for certain: When people-if people come to the table to discuss Iraq, they need to come understanding their responsibilities- to not fund terrorists, to help this young democracy survive, to help with the economics of the country.

And if people are not committed-if Syria and Iran is not committed to that concept, then they shouldn't bother to show up.

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Given Iranian predilections to foment terror and to start culture wars, let's hope for the sake of a democratic Iraq that they take the President's advice.

Seminole Tribe Buys Hard Rock Cafe

It seems I've been commenting a lot lately on issues of interest to the Native Americans. But at risk of being staid I will continue the trend and offer a few thoughts on this recent acquisition in today's news.

I have long held that casinos are a serious mistake for tribes- not only because their success rates vary by market, but also because their development engenders many a bad habit among tribal members. Profits from casinos may bring greater per capita payments to individual tribal members, but extra cash does little to help when a person falls into debt from gambling at the casino.

Nevertheless, somewhere between hither and yon tribes passed by my now anachronistic view and it seems there is a new one opening up in every state with Indians. All of this is to say that the news out of FL offers an interesting twist on economic development trends among Indian tribes combining development models of tribal casinos with alternative plans for long-term economic viability.

The story actually begins across the pond as the London-based Rank Group agreed to the sale of the Hard Rock Cafe and casino business to the Seminole Tribe of FL to the tune of some $965 million. The motives on both sides were duplicitous. Rank said the disposal would turn it into a pure gaming group but really it allows for the group to dispense with a company anchored in a competitive entertainment/restaurant market. Hard Rock Cafe has two main rivals in Planet Hollywood and Live Nation.

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For the Seminoles, they gain a well established brand name and a tacit legitimation of their own gaming enterprise in the business world. The move is particularly smart on their part because it enables them to explore fiscal opportunities in markets completely unexplored by tribes with business models rooted in casino development.

In the realm of tribal sovereignty, government policy can change as quickly as a court ruling and the issue of Indian gaming has a tumultuous history at best. Tribes with state compacts and casino dependent business plans would do well to follow the Seminole example and venture into other markets in order to maintain solvency should political climes change or alter their present monopoly on the local casino market.

Giants Coach: We Have a Good Shot

NY Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin maintains that his team is poised to make a playoff run despite last weekend's loss to the Division leading Cowboys.

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I suppose this could be and I'm all for being optimistic. But really Coughlin is delusional. I think the remarks are more aimed at keeping his job than at firing up an already defeated team.

The Only Thing Democrats Will Do Right

Admittedly, I've had a hard time finding anything good to say about the new Congress; mainly because I am Pro-Life and believe we need to win in Iraq- two antithetical views for the Democrat leadership. But I think I have discovered the only thing the Democrats will likely do right and for this they deserve some credit.

This afternoon Democrat leader Steny Hoyer announced to reporters covering the House that when the new Congress convenes in January its members will be expected to report to work five days a week.

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For the most part the move is just a farce for Democrats trying to project a businesslike image while advancing anti-business policies. But if you look at the move on its merits, it really is just common sense.

I have to work five days a week. Why shouldn't they?

BBC: Iraq report 'is no magic formula'

The BBC came through today with yet another profound work of journalistic creativity: the Iraq report 'is no magic formula'.

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I realize that I might be splitting hairs here but c'mon BBC. Did anyone honestly think the Iraq report would be? There are no easy answers in Iraq and even the Democrats are singing a tune very similar to President Bush's 'stay the course.'

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That Must Be a Huge Monument...

Our friends over at the Iranian press shop never cease to provide a much needed, daily does of comic relief. One of their recent headlines announced:

Iran among top ten historical monuments in the world

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Intriguing, Iran. Such a monument would most likely qualify for the Top Ten Wonders of the World as well. I mean China has a nice wall, but they certainly lack a monument the size of a country. But then again, it's all lost in translation anyway.

Iran to West: Convert or Die

One of the things I find fascinating about our tenuous dealings with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the degree to which his rhetoric is infused with religious overtones. The most recent example of such language came across the wires today taken from a speech to a small town in Northern Iran.

Ahmadinejad said:

"They are angry with our nation. But we tell them 'so be it and die from this anger'. Rest assured that if you do not respond to the divine call, you will die soon and vanish from the face of the earth," he said.

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This may seem obvious but it is worth mentioning that in speeches like these, Ahmadinejad not only asserts the superiority of his position within the country but he also shifts the context of the debate from one surrounding Iran's nuclear development to another placing Iran amid a much greater struggle between Islam and the west- almost reminiscent of the crusades and the middle ages. His wording is actually not too different from Sultan Mehmet II as he rallied Ottoman forces to crush Christian Constantinople in 1453.

Failure to recognize this clear Rubicon in mitigating the standoff over a nuclear Iran falls squarely on the shoulders of the United Nations and to some extent the US. But their optimism for the situation is somewhat understandable. Individuals placing their faith in a diplomatic redress often cite Turkey as the example of an Islamic country which has reached a very mature level of progress and modernity- so much as to seek admission to the European Union Incidentally, the moved is backed in the historical irony of ironies by Pope Benedict XVI.

The key difference between Turkey's history and the optimists' view of it is that Turkey made a very conscious effort to become a secular state at its inception in 1923. The likelihood that Ahmadinejad will make such a move in Iran is about as likely as the West's propensity to heed his call and convert to Islam.

For our present stand-off, however, the obvious difficulty in dealing with such a rhetoric backed position is that no degree of reason, sanction or bargaining can dissuade an extremist from a view of Islamic eschatology.

Websites Fail Disabled

The World Health organization released a survey of some twenty countries (including the US, UK and Canada) to determine how accessible their country's websites are for the disabled.

97% of all websites examined were said to fail minimum levels of accessibility according to the BBC. The WHO estimates that some 600 million people are disabled amounting to roughly 10% of the World's population. The BBC maintains that some 80% of these live in developing countries.

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With Christmas looming and thoughts of my own blessings lingering near, the contrast reminds me how terribly unfortunate it is that so many suffer from disabilities. Things I take for granted like a brisk walk downtown to see Christmas lights or walking up and paying for an espresso at Dunkin Donuts (not Starbucks) are simply illusory ideas for many.

I think the lesson learned is that it is far too easy to become spoiled and to live as if we are entitled to our time, daily health and existence when so much of our lives are completely beyond our control.

Regarding web accessibility, given that roughly 80% of all disabled people live in the developing world, I wonder now if they would even have had internet access were they healthy. I mention this because I think it gets at the root of a related problem: in order for these Nations to enter into a path toward progress- not to mention developing the capacity for providing robust care for the disabled- widespread internet access is increasingly the lynchpin of growing economies. An interesting corollary to the study would be to learn about internet accessibility in the developing world and to see which countries were least wired so to speak and what solutions, if any, can be deployed to build their technological infrastructure. This would be a great project for the UN- if only they were more competent and less corrupt.

In terms of actually making websites more accessible, I have no idea how to achieve that end. Thinking about my own little slice of the web, I'm not sure what I could do to help the handicapped.

Praying On the Moon

ScrappleFace with their well-honed satirical wit weighed in on the Muslim prayer room foolishness.

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Their spoof article is, of course, hilarious.

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Some Bloggers Cash In

Wonkette had an interesting link to a flow chart detailing how a elect group of bloggers have managed to cash in from a few politicos supporting their sites. Apparently, the game works that if an interested party likes your blog, they will ultimately offer you a nice lump sum to 'keep up the good work.'

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Rest assured Pax Plena faithful. I am proud to say that your humble blogger has never sold out and taken cash for any posts that I have written.

BUT if anyone out there is looking to corrupt a young blogger and tempt him into selling out... well, I would not be entirely unopposed to keeping up the good work.

Weekend Football Round-up

Although I may reconsider my positions on some issues, I never shirk from my biases in football.

And after a weekend like this I have no reason to: the Dallas Cowboys took control of the NFC East while the OU Sooners claimed the Big 12 Title. I couldn't have asked for much more (A Super Bowl win for Dallas and a Fiesta Bowl victory for the Sooners are already on my Christmas list).

Tony Romo and the Cowboys continued their win streak with a game-winning kick by newly signed kicker Martin Gramatica. The win places the Cowboys in the driver's seat for the division. Early rumblings have the Cowboys picked to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. I know, I know. It's a bit pre-mature. But nothing wrong with being excited.

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As you already know, OU won the Big 12 Title but I like to be fair in reporting on the rest of the conference- the once mighty Texas Longhorns secured a very prestigious berth to the Drain-O Toilet Bowl (aka...the Alamo Bowl against Iowa). Hook 'em Horns.

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But getting back to the Cowboys, you know they have to be doing well. Only a good season could make head coach Bill Parcells smile like this.













*Photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated

Sen. Graham Speaks Out Against Putin

I rarely find myself in agreement with South Carolina's Senior Senator.

But for once, I'm proud to say that Sen. Graham has it right: Vladamir Putin is a much bigger part of the problem than the solution for many pressing world issues including regional dealings with Iran and North Korea.

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Follow-up Remarks on the UND Fighting Sioux

It's been a day or two since I last commented on the Dartmouth mascot snafu and several people have had time to write in with their comments. All were appreciated but a few points of order which merit direct attention were pointed out to me via e-mail by Richard Thiel.

First of all, with regards to the University of North Dakota, the term "Fighting Sioux" actually refers to the team's nickname and not the team's mascot. It seems like a slight point, but in the world of sports there is a big difference as the President of the University points out here.

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Second, not only does the team's nickname have support from the Standing Rock Sioux, but it also has the support of the Spirit Lake Band of Sioux in Fort Totten, ND. This article from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune outlines the steps both tribes have taken in their support of the nickname.

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Finally, the depth of Josie Harper's miscue are only now becoming too clear. If Harper's aim was to go after irreverent Native American sports symbols, then she couldn't have picked a worse University to pick on than UND.

The UND by all accounts has one of the most respectful policies in the NCAA with regards to its treatment of the Fighting Sioux nickname. The video below is played at the start of each sporting event in the Fighting Sioux's arena. In my view, the short clip is far more than necessary, but upon its conclusion viewers know exactly why the UND chose the Fighting Sioux as their logo/nickname.

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Up-date: Dartmouth Review Editor-in-Chief Dan Linsalata adds an addendum to his article in the recent TDR issue:

The cover was intended to be a hyperbolic, tongue-in-cheek commentary upon the reactions to events this term by the self-styled leadership of Dartmouth’s Native American community...However, I regret that the cover may have precipitated further feelings of offense within Dartmouth and overshadowed more thoughtful discussions of these matters presented in the articles within the issue itself.

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*Photo and Video Courtesy of the University of North Dakota

OU Sooners Win Big 12 Championship

We here at Pax Plena always give credit where credit is due.

A hearty congratulations goes out to the Oklahoma Sooners who beat the Nebraska Cornhuskers 21-7 to win the Big 12 Championship!

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Sooners Compete for Big 12 Title

The OU Sooners and Big 12 Coach of the Year Bob Stoops take center stage in Kansas City tonight where they will battle the Nebraska Cornhuskers for the Big 12 Championship.

It is OU's fourth such outing in seven years.

The link below takes you to a fun article by Stewart Mandel that highlights some of the adversity the Sooners faced this season. But when the lights come on in KC none of that will matter.

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I especially hope all my friends down in TX enjoy OU's win tonight.