The New York Review of Books: How to Get Out of Iraq

Very interesting look at Iraq, although I'm not sure that I completely agree with his resolution of the Iraq crisis. It does bring on the higher longer question about the evolution of governments from cavemen to representative democracy. I think the better question can Iraq move from a totalitarian regime to a western democracy in a couple of years? Even in the most democracy crazy states it takes a while. The US does not have the will for this right now. The best example of transitioning from a totalitarian regime have been Japan and Germany after WWII. Then the US army still occupies both of these countries. If we consider them as good examples it still took at least a decade to get things moving in the right direction.

Currently we're going to stay for a few years? We are only asking for a disaster. Most importantly Japan and Germany were very homogeneous countries with high rates of literacy and industrialization at the beginning of WWII. Iraq is none of these things: It's not homogeneous, it's not well educated, it's not industrialized. Ideally we would need a very strong leader to take the reigns for life and move the country toward democracy. First establish education and industry as priorities of the country (something that they can sell through a value add, not just commodities like oil). The next step would be more civil rights. In a generation it might be possible, but not less than a decade. Even countries like Taiwan or Malaysia have taken a long time to become democratic

What did Bush know? Let's ask, 'What's he doing now?'

I love the idea of zoo feeding time. It's shocking to think that the largest government buildup in decades didn't have a beat reporter from the WSJ until "recently." I'm curious to know if anyone else (WP, NYT, CNN) has a homeland security beat.

Yahoo! News - Kerry Rejects GOP Questions About Medals

Shouldn't he be saying that, "Bush is a COWARD and unwilling to face combat. I have the medals to prove it and what I did with them is my business." Just a question . . . No using the term coward is not too harsh. He checked off the box saying that he did not want to be assigned overseas.

washingtonpost.com: Media Notes Extra

In the middle of the column . . .Isn't this the same problem that Gore had with the media? He tried to introduce himself to the US several times and was hammered for trying too hard. Can't win either way I guess. Most importantly, it seems that Kerry is standing aside while Bush bleeds himself dry. Kurtz's quotes are below.

The Los Angeles Times: "Almost two months after effectively clinching the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. John F. Kerry still faces a major task -- introducing himself and his candidacy to many American voters.

"Kerry, his advisors and political analysts agree he remains unknown to large portions of the electorate, despite extensive media attention during the primaries and his regular presence on the campaign trail since his last major Democratic rival left the race in early March . . .

"Some analysts are more pointed in their assessment, saying the Massachusetts senator should have done more already to make a compelling case for his candidacy."

The Philadelphia Inquirer must have gotten the same memo:

"Meeting with some big donors recently in New York, John Kerry acknowledged the challenge he faces this spring.

"'A lot of people don't really know who I am,' said the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. 'The level of communication we need . . . is enormous.'

"Despite 38 years in the public eye, the 60-year-old Massachusetts senator needs to introduce himself to much of the country. And he must do it while explaining his agenda and countering a $50 million Bush ad campaign that casts him as a waffling, tax-raising, weak-on-defense liberal.

"Thus far, Americans see Kerry as more prone than Bush to change positions for political gain, as a weaker leader and as less likable, according to the National Annenberg Election Survey conducted by the University of Pennsylvania. They also see him as more knowledgeable, less arrogant, less reckless and less stubborn."

On the Media

Great interview with Auletta. I think he makes some great points about the press "losing" to Bush in the press conference. Bush plays a great game and those that underestimate him always with the short end of the stick. Another great point about how the press stays on message so well too.

The New York Times > Washington > Campaign 2004 > Bush Draws Terrorism Law Into Campaign

Watch out Max Cleland is all I can say. Distort the truth and then run on that. Hello Senator Chambliss.

The New York Times > Arts > Frank Rich: 'Lawrence of Arabia' Redux

Frickin' great essay. I have to admit that it hits home on many levels and puts the Iraq fiasco into historical perspective.

Again, let's break it up into three parts and let the ethnic and religious lines be our true borders: one part Shia, one part Kurd, and the Bahgdad.

Bush was ok. He did an ok job and the "game of low expectations" helped again. I don't know why the press keep letting him get away with that stuff. Otherwise he did a good job of staying on message (the why are you both Cheney and Bush answering questions at the same time was brilliant).

I've got to admit that his people are incredible. I'm still not sure why he couldn't have someone from his staff apologize for not doing enough pre-9/11. Maybe they want the distraction or are saving it for later.

Will Bush Own Up? (washingtonpost.com)

What happens if the President says he's sorry that he screwed up pre-9/11? I think it would be a coup on his part and disarm the attackers. It is also doubtful that he would admit as much in a news conference. If he said we tried, but didn't do all we could, he might win back some folks. However the lying and all that has not been so good for the Bush/Cheney.

Here's the one thing that Kerry ought to do (as if there aren't 10 bazillion bloggers telling him something) . . . pull a Nixon. Hire a svengallian Kissinger type and then have some sort of "secret plan" to end our Iraq fiasco. First you still let Bush commit suicide with the Iraq thing. Second you sound like you're doing something, but you can't tell anyone yet. It think it's a win-win if you ask me, plus the most ruthless politician in US history used the same plot. How could it go wrong?

Putting a Human Face on Outsourcing (TechNews.com)

The Faces of the Jobless Recovery

A good read as usual by Webb. I like the WSJ stuff too. GIGO on the data. This article brings up some of the hysteria about this phenomenon known aas offshoring. Not to say that there is no pain in all of this, but some of the quotes sound like repeats of the auto industry 30 years ago. (And I'm sure 100 years ago about the shift from agriculture to the industry)

The Fast Company article makes it sound like a coming plague. I'm not sure that this is ture, but it will be the challenge for the labor unions :)

We could also solve this problem through greater immigration. Why not have those folks that we're offshoring to come to the States and become citizens here? They'd pay taxes and we'd get lower costs on there goods and services. Plus we get that immigrant energy that America was built upon. I'm not sure which is a greater problem, getting new immigration policy through Washington or telling U.S. Business to spend more money on something that they don't need.

Putting a Human Face on Outsourcing (TechNews.com)

The Faces of the Jobless Recovery

A good read as usual by Webb. I like the WSJ stuff too. GIGO on the data. This article brings up some of the hysteria about this phenomenon known aas offshoring. Not to say that there is no pain in all of this, but some of the quotes sound like repeats of the auto industry 30 years ago. (And I'm sure 100 years ago about the shift from agriculture to the industry)

The Fast Company article makes it sound like a coming plague. I'm not sure that this is ture, but it will be the challenge for the labor unions :)

We could also solve this problem through greater immigration. Why not have those folks that we're offshoring to come to the States and become citizens here? They'd pay taxes and we'd get lower costs on there goods and services. Plus we get that immigrant energy that America was built upon. I'm not sure which is a greater problem, getting new immigration policy through Washington or telling U.S. Business to spend more money on something that they don't need.

Missing women: Why the hype? Critics say TV news overplays stories

Wouldn't it be a truer statement if they also said "white?" The lack of discussion on this topic does a disservice to the people. It would be time better spent if the media decided that black people and men go missing too. If you watched the news or read people magazine, you'd think that this country is filled with crazed kidnappers that target attractive white women. Is that true? Don't ask the media b/c they're too lazy to report on it. Not to say that if I were the father of one of those who went missing that I wouldn't feel better if Katie Couric wasn't repeating her name 100 times in a week. It is to say that it's too bad that the media chooses to ignore so many other important stories with victims that don't fit a demographic.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/04/weekinreview/04bumi.html?8hpib

My two cents is that using Rice as a guard has been very effective. She has essentially shielded the Administration from more serious damage coming from the Clarke revelations. This last week or so she has taken the heat off of what we should really be focusing on, the preparation of the administation for 9/11. Her "not testifying" changed the subject from what the Bushies did wrong to why won't she testify. Frickin' brilliant if you ask me. A total change of subject and now I read that she's resigning at the end of the year. Way to take a bullet for your boss on your way out the door. Good luck on the Kremlinology!

I trust you watched the games yesterday. I didn't, but caught the highlights. I'm surprised that OK State lost, but you know those ACC schools :)

I'm very glad that Puke lost. They are a bunch cry babies. I have no clue why Reddick put the ball on the floor on the last play. All I know is that since they have the greatest point guard since their last point guard (all-universe genius Jay(son) "look at me ride a motorcycle" Williams), he probably should have taken the shot. Oh yeah, that's right . . . Chris Duhon SUCKS and couldn't get past Ben Gordon probably. I didn't see the game, but I'm glad they lost after being ahead. Revenge is sweet, but I wish UConn came back from 20.

Hornung, In Black And White (washingtonpost.com)

Pretty good write up on the complicted issue. I think there is a similar problem with law schools, colleges and affirmative action too though. The point to make is that there are only so many of these students that are minorities and can be outstanding legal scholars (or win football games) at the same time. College athletes have another problem in that they also have to do ok at school. This pool of people is very small (how many people are qualified for Yale Law School? How many are black? How many other schools also want this black qualified student?) Hornung statement is racist, but reasonably explained away by Wilbon.