Quick Links
Links
Site Links
Categories
Calendar
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
Archives
XML/RSS Feed
Statistics
Total entries in this blog:
Total entries in this category:
Published On: Dec 15, 2003 11:45 AM
Total entries in this category:
Published On: Dec 15, 2003 11:45 AM
A time of introspection
Yesterday was a lot of fun. I'm so excited to be back
in New York; I really do love this city. There was a snowstorm, and I just had
to go out in it, smiling like an idiot, bouncing in delight, taking in New York
Christmas.
Yesterday was a lot of fun. I'm so excited to be back
in New York; I really do love this city. There was a snowstorm, and I just had
to go out in it, smiling like an idiot, bouncing in delight, taking in New York
Christmas.
New York City understands Christmas in a very special way, and there's no better place to find the holiday spirit. I can't exactly say why this is. Everywhere else I go in the country December is an "Oh, I guess we should hang some decorations." afterthought. New Yorkers embrace this time, and the feeling becomes contagious. It's much better (in my humble opinion) than people who want to point out that Christmas is (a) a secular Christian "Jesus thing" and (b) co-opted by the American Retail Commercialistic Conspiracy to sell goods. My response: Ba Humbug!
Last night I did what will probably be my one significant bout of drinking in celebration of my new freedom. Let's just say I'm not moving too quickly this morning. Tonight will feature a get-together of my New York Posse at Dale's apartment. It will be so nice to see these people. (I think I'll definitely keep to a minimum number of drinks, however.)
Yesterday was also a time of introspection, given the news of Saddam's capture. Like so many people in the world, I had to take some time to digest the news and ask "Now what?" What I find interesting is how little this really changes anything concrete this world. Saddam had already been neutered. The guerillas were not being organized by him. Unless Bush is able to get him to magically reveal a huge hidden stockpile of WMDs, we will just see a bit show trial, and everyone will try to use this symbolic event to rally political change for better or for worse.
In Iraq the people will be rallied to look to the future, encouraged to take a part in the foundation of their new government. This is good. Back in the USA politicians scurry to create some huge relevance, to make political platforms, take stands, argue new relevancy of new positions, pat themselves on the back, etc. This is silly.
Actually, I see more silliness in the part of the Democratic candidates (except Dean) than in the Bush administration. Let's face it: Bush led our country to pay a great price to have Saddam removed. A really huge price. Here is the payoff, so for today George W gets to have his day in the son. That doesn't change the question of whether the ends justified the means. It doesn't change the fact that we alienated most of the world nations and many people of the world look at the US in fear instead of admiration.
We will never know if the UN would have ultimately been able to bring about a positive change in Iraq on its own, albeit it a slower change. We went in alone, and we were rallied to the cause by lies about vaporous WMDs or the nonexistent "Saddam Bin Laden" connection. Our congress abjugated their authority that was written in the Constitution to prevent a President from yielding too much power. (They also abjugated their role in the 2000 Presidential Election and let the Supreme Court strong-arm the results. But who cares how the Constitution was drawn up. It's just a general guideline anyway, right?)
We will be distracted from these issues by a big showy trial, and once again the American People will be led around by the nose. May the circus begin!
New York City understands Christmas in a very special way, and there's no better place to find the holiday spirit. I can't exactly say why this is. Everywhere else I go in the country December is an "Oh, I guess we should hang some decorations." afterthought. New Yorkers embrace this time, and the feeling becomes contagious. It's much better (in my humble opinion) than people who want to point out that Christmas is (a) a secular Christian "Jesus thing" and (b) co-opted by the American Retail Commercialistic Conspiracy to sell goods. My response: Ba Humbug!
Last night I did what will probably be my one significant bout of drinking in celebration of my new freedom. Let's just say I'm not moving too quickly this morning. Tonight will feature a get-together of my New York Posse at Dale's apartment. It will be so nice to see these people. (I think I'll definitely keep to a minimum number of drinks, however.)
Yesterday was also a time of introspection, given the news of Saddam's capture. Like so many people in the world, I had to take some time to digest the news and ask "Now what?" What I find interesting is how little this really changes anything concrete this world. Saddam had already been neutered. The guerillas were not being organized by him. Unless Bush is able to get him to magically reveal a huge hidden stockpile of WMDs, we will just see a bit show trial, and everyone will try to use this symbolic event to rally political change for better or for worse.
In Iraq the people will be rallied to look to the future, encouraged to take a part in the foundation of their new government. This is good. Back in the USA politicians scurry to create some huge relevance, to make political platforms, take stands, argue new relevancy of new positions, pat themselves on the back, etc. This is silly.
Actually, I see more silliness in the part of the Democratic candidates (except Dean) than in the Bush administration. Let's face it: Bush led our country to pay a great price to have Saddam removed. A really huge price. Here is the payoff, so for today George W gets to have his day in the son. That doesn't change the question of whether the ends justified the means. It doesn't change the fact that we alienated most of the world nations and many people of the world look at the US in fear instead of admiration.
We will never know if the UN would have ultimately been able to bring about a positive change in Iraq on its own, albeit it a slower change. We went in alone, and we were rallied to the cause by lies about vaporous WMDs or the nonexistent "Saddam Bin Laden" connection. Our congress abjugated their authority that was written in the Constitution to prevent a President from yielding too much power. (They also abjugated their role in the 2000 Presidential Election and let the Supreme Court strong-arm the results. But who cares how the Constitution was drawn up. It's just a general guideline anyway, right?)
We will be distracted from these issues by a big showy trial, and once again the American People will be led around by the nose. May the circus begin!
Posted: Mon - December 15, 2003 at 11:27 AM