The phrase "continued decline" is a euphemism for the Bush administration policy of " staying the course". The predicted consequences of a continuing deterioration are dire. The predictions also raise more questions.
The report suggests the possible reemergence of a strongman to rule Iraq, if conditions continue to worsen. Wasn't this Saddam's role? Apparently, the Baath party dominance was the government that Iraq deserved. Given the Iraqi society, is there any reason to suspect that American imposed democracy will be successful? The argument can be made that the form and substance a democracy takes is a function of the society it governs and must conform to that society in order to work.
The report suggests that a broader regional war is possible as a result of neighboring states protecting their interests from chaos in Iraq. The adjective "broader" seems redundant, as any regional war would necessarily be broader than the current conflict, which is contained in Iraq.
Actually, 'war' is not a term used frequently in the report to describe the situation in Iraq. Some talking heads have complained that the report doesn't refer to the situation in Iraq as a 'civil war'. Those who want to use the term "civil war" do so, I believe, to be contrary to the Bush administration, which doesn't want to use it. War, as far as American involvement goes, is a loose description of what is really an occupation with armed resistance. The 'war' ended when Saddam's army disintegrated and Bush declared, "Mission Accomplished".
Now, rather than fighting against Iraq's army, we are described as trying to develop it into an effective force. But, for what purpose: self-defense against internal enemies, deterrence of external enemies, or both? Care had better be taken that the Iraqi army doesn't turn against its foreign occupier. Perhaps that is why the U.S. Congress has been reluctant to fully fund the effort to re-arm Iraq. And, perhaps, that is why the Bush administration is not giving greater priority to the effort to train the Iraqi army. Don't you wish the American people were told the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? So help us God.
We can still claim that we are fighting a war on terror, but we have to admit that we are not winning. And, when you are not winning, you are losing. The report states that a consequence of continued decline will be more terrorism, and that our failure will be a recruiting bonus for Al qaeda. But, since we aren't winning, hasn't Al Qaeda already achieved this advantage? Another question, why would Al Qaeda have to wait on expelling Americans from Iraq to spread "... the jihad wave to the secular countries neighboring Iraq."? Is it believable that we have them tied down in Iraq, and if so, are we fighting a war of attrition that we can never win, because we are out-numbered in that part of the world?
The report states that further descent into chaos hurts our global standing and polarizes Americans. In my opinion, these effects have occurred already and couldn't get much worse. The report also claims that, if Iraqis continue to see us as occupiers, we could be our own worst enemy in a liberated land. Aren't we already?
The Report states that it seems implausible for the Iraqi people to somehow awaken to their plight and wrest themselves from the plunge to chaos, because the people and their leaders have been slow to demonstrate the capacity or will to act. This statement seems to be the justification for the U.S. to develop a solution to the Iraq problem. Next, a look at the recommended course of action.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Iraq Study Group Report - Assessment
The Iraq Study Group Report (ISGR) begins with an assessment of the current situation in Iraq under four categories: security, politics, economics and international support.
The security situation can be described as chaotic and out of control. In the report's words: Attacks are persistent and growing. Violence is increasing in scope, complexity and lethality from mulitple sources within a deadly cycle of attacks and reprisals. Criminality makes daily life unbearable. Organized criminal rackets thrive. Four of 18 provinces are highly insecure. Most cities are plagued by persistent sectarian violence.
U.S. and Coalition forces, the Iraqi army, the Iraqi police, and armed Iraqi ministry units are involved to counter the insurgents (Sunnis), al Qaeda and affiliated jihadists, sectarian militias, and criminals. The army lacks leadership, equipment, and personnel and depends on the U.S. for logistics and support. The Iraqi police are substantially worse than the army with neither training nor authority for criminal investigations. Iraqi ministry police are incompetent, dysfunctional or subversive and a source of funding for the Mahdi army, a Shia militia. Because none of the counter efforts are fundamentally changing the violent conditions, U.S. forces are seemingly in a mission with no forseeable end.
Within the milieu of rampant insecurity, politics can be summed up in several words: sectarian, inaction, corruption, ineffectiveness, inadequacy and weakness. The politics frustrates governance.
Economic progress is stifled by a shocked and dysfunctional economy. Many leading economic indicators are negative with no tangible improvements in the daily situation of Iraqis.
International support for Iraqi reconstruction is only luke warm. Debt forgiveness is needed, but not enough has occurred. Neighboring states are under-cutting its stability and meddling in its affairs. Most of the region is wary of U.S. efforts to promote democracy in Iraq and the Middle East.
Despite these dire conditions, the ISGR does not say the situation is hopeles. The ISG does however judge the Iraq situation by its conformance to U.S. standards and aspirations, which are not necessarily shared by Iraqis. You'll just have to read the report and decide for yourself if their can be redemption for Iraq.
Tomorrow, the balance of the assessment.
The security situation can be described as chaotic and out of control. In the report's words: Attacks are persistent and growing. Violence is increasing in scope, complexity and lethality from mulitple sources within a deadly cycle of attacks and reprisals. Criminality makes daily life unbearable. Organized criminal rackets thrive. Four of 18 provinces are highly insecure. Most cities are plagued by persistent sectarian violence.
U.S. and Coalition forces, the Iraqi army, the Iraqi police, and armed Iraqi ministry units are involved to counter the insurgents (Sunnis), al Qaeda and affiliated jihadists, sectarian militias, and criminals. The army lacks leadership, equipment, and personnel and depends on the U.S. for logistics and support. The Iraqi police are substantially worse than the army with neither training nor authority for criminal investigations. Iraqi ministry police are incompetent, dysfunctional or subversive and a source of funding for the Mahdi army, a Shia militia. Because none of the counter efforts are fundamentally changing the violent conditions, U.S. forces are seemingly in a mission with no forseeable end.
Within the milieu of rampant insecurity, politics can be summed up in several words: sectarian, inaction, corruption, ineffectiveness, inadequacy and weakness. The politics frustrates governance.
Economic progress is stifled by a shocked and dysfunctional economy. Many leading economic indicators are negative with no tangible improvements in the daily situation of Iraqis.
International support for Iraqi reconstruction is only luke warm. Debt forgiveness is needed, but not enough has occurred. Neighboring states are under-cutting its stability and meddling in its affairs. Most of the region is wary of U.S. efforts to promote democracy in Iraq and the Middle East.
Despite these dire conditions, the ISGR does not say the situation is hopeles. The ISG does however judge the Iraq situation by its conformance to U.S. standards and aspirations, which are not necessarily shared by Iraqis. You'll just have to read the report and decide for yourself if their can be redemption for Iraq.
Tomorrow, the balance of the assessment.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Salad Relish
Basic ingredients:
2 medium cabbages
8 medium onions
8 peppers (red or green)
12 medium carrots
Preparation:
Grind ingredients in food chopper
Add 1/2 cup salt to ingredients and mix
Let stand for 2 hours then drain
Mix with:
2 pints of vinegar,
6 cups of sugar,
1 teaspoon of celery seed, and
1 teaspoon of mustard seed
Needs no cooking and need not be sealed.
Comments:
This batch would probably last a while, probably until you were broke of eating it. I can't recall ever having been served this concoction, but I'll bet it's a zesty garnishment for what would otherwise be common chopped lettuce leaves.
The recipe had in its card title the name, Sendbergh. If you try it and don't like it, give credit for it to Sendbergh descendants wherever you find them. If you do like it. Grandma Rogers gets the credit, because her good taste and recording skills preserved the recipe for posterity.
2 medium cabbages
8 medium onions
8 peppers (red or green)
12 medium carrots
Preparation:
Grind ingredients in food chopper
Add 1/2 cup salt to ingredients and mix
Let stand for 2 hours then drain
Mix with:
2 pints of vinegar,
6 cups of sugar,
1 teaspoon of celery seed, and
1 teaspoon of mustard seed
Needs no cooking and need not be sealed.
Comments:
This batch would probably last a while, probably until you were broke of eating it. I can't recall ever having been served this concoction, but I'll bet it's a zesty garnishment for what would otherwise be common chopped lettuce leaves.
The recipe had in its card title the name, Sendbergh. If you try it and don't like it, give credit for it to Sendbergh descendants wherever you find them. If you do like it. Grandma Rogers gets the credit, because her good taste and recording skills preserved the recipe for posterity.
The Prairie Dog Issue
So, you live in the eastern part of Kansas and you don't know what all the commotion and hullabaloo there is about prairie dogs in the western part of Kansas. Check it out here. The Hays Daily News has done a good job of presenting the issue.
While driving in the Denver area recently, I noticed prairie dog colonies had infested some freeway rights-of-way areas bounded by access ramps. I asked myself, How did these creatures survive between the pavement sections? How much roadkill resulted from their presence? Did a population of carrion scavengers survive from it all? How did the prairie dogs get established there, when construction would have obliberated and restored their habitat? These and other similar questions were quite imponderable. Seeing the mess these creatures made of freeway ramp areas and using common sense, I decided that my sympathies lie with the farmers and ranchers of Kansas whose lands are swarmed over and overran by these pesky, dirty, foul rodents.
At my residence, ground squirrels or chipmunks, as some call them, occasionally disturb some plantings and create burrows around the edges of patio and walks, but their presence is not nearly as obnoxious as the ruiness effects of a colony of prairie dogs. Believe me, if the critters at my house were as bothersome as those on our country neighbors' grounds, we'd have ordinances against them and removal programs for them. And what's more, we'd spank our kids if, in response to a prairie dog pooping from its burrow, they said, "Oooh! How cute they are."
While driving in the Denver area recently, I noticed prairie dog colonies had infested some freeway rights-of-way areas bounded by access ramps. I asked myself, How did these creatures survive between the pavement sections? How much roadkill resulted from their presence? Did a population of carrion scavengers survive from it all? How did the prairie dogs get established there, when construction would have obliberated and restored their habitat? These and other similar questions were quite imponderable. Seeing the mess these creatures made of freeway ramp areas and using common sense, I decided that my sympathies lie with the farmers and ranchers of Kansas whose lands are swarmed over and overran by these pesky, dirty, foul rodents.
At my residence, ground squirrels or chipmunks, as some call them, occasionally disturb some plantings and create burrows around the edges of patio and walks, but their presence is not nearly as obnoxious as the ruiness effects of a colony of prairie dogs. Believe me, if the critters at my house were as bothersome as those on our country neighbors' grounds, we'd have ordinances against them and removal programs for them. And what's more, we'd spank our kids if, in response to a prairie dog pooping from its burrow, they said, "Oooh! How cute they are."
Iraq Study Group Report
1. What is the Iraq Study Group Report?
2. Who produced it?
3. How does the Bush administration regard it?
4. What do Iraqis say about it?
5. What will happen to it?
The first two questions above have answers. The answers for the rest of the questions are subject to change. Over the next several days and weeks, I will attempt to present the features of the report and its recommendations, so that the reader can assess whether or not it should be used as a way for the U.S. to extricate itself from Iraq. I intend to comment on it as I proceed. For now, I have answers to the first two questions.
Question 1: The Iraq Study Group Report (ISGR)is a compendium of - in the words of the report itself - "actions that can be taken to improve the situation [read as 'problems of Iraq']and protect American interests". The report states that, "Our country deserves a deserves a debate that prizes substance over rhetoric, and a policy that is adequately funded and sustainable." The ISGR asks for candid, forthright leaders who can win the support of the American people. Although the ISGR doesn't directly chastise the President or his henchmen, you can sense that it is talking to them. It stresses a "bipartisan approach to bring a responsible conclusion to what is now a lengthy and costly war". ISGR provides an assessment and an approach to achieve our goals in Iraq, assuming there is some consensus as to what those goals are. You can read the full report, and download it, if you choose to, from here.
Question 2: The ISGR was sponsored by the The United States Institute of Peace, an independent, nonpartisan, national institution established and funded by Congress. From its Web page, "Its mission is to help: (1) Prevent and resolve violent international conflicts, (2) Promote post-conflict stability and democratic transformations, and (3) Increase peacebuilding capacity, tools, and intellectual capital worldwide. USIP does this by empowering others with knowledge, skills, and resources, as well as by its direct involvement in peacebuilding efforts around the globe."
"The United States Institute of Peace is an independent, nonpartisan, national institution established and funded by Congress. Its mission is to help: (1) Prevent and resolve violent international conflicts, (2) Promote post-conflict stability and democratic transformations, and (3) Increase peacebuilding capacity, tools, and intellectual capital worldwide. USIP does this by empowering others with knowledge, skills, and resources, as well as by its direct involvement in peacebuilding efforts around the globe." USIP, besides issuing reports like one calling for fundamnetal reforms of the United Nations, sponsors fellowships and makes grants, plus other efforts that are detailed on http://www.isip.org/.
More tomorrow, as we review Part I, Assessment.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Municipal Electric Centennials
The Baldwin City Signal reports on the 100th anniverary of the City of Baldwin City, Kansas, municipal electric system. The years around the turn of the century were noted for the establishment of local power plants for street lighting and lighting of homes and businesses in a number of Kansas communities. The size of the cities simply did not attract the interest of private utility investors, just as rural areas were ignored until rural electrification was made real by the New Deal. Community leaders acted to meet the needs of their residents for electric and natural gas service, just has they had for water. As the uses of electrical power grew, so did the municipal electric systems. Today, allied to secure power resources through quasi-public agencies like the Kansas Municipal Energy Agency, city-owned electric sysytems continue to serve the needs of the communities they serve.
You can always tell a city with its own electric system by the high quality of its street lighting service. Private power companies charge steep rates for each lamp fixture and pole, causing city budgets to be unable to afford more than a minimal level of service. Municipal utilities usually absorb the cost of public lighting in their rates, which in the case of the larger systems are competitive with their private sector counterparts. The public benefits of municipal ownership shine on, particularly at night.
You can always tell a city with its own electric system by the high quality of its street lighting service. Private power companies charge steep rates for each lamp fixture and pole, causing city budgets to be unable to afford more than a minimal level of service. Municipal utilities usually absorb the cost of public lighting in their rates, which in the case of the larger systems are competitive with their private sector counterparts. The public benefits of municipal ownership shine on, particularly at night.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Even Newspapers Aren't Immune
I've been browsing through Web sites of Kansas newspapers in search of things typical of Kansas. The Augusta Gazette reports on a winter music concert, a hallmark of vocal music teachers across the state. The headline reads, "A Featued Pair of Voices", and the story includes a picture of two sixth grade students singing together whom the article describes as "featured soloists". It appears that even newspapers aren't immune from language goofs. Two persons singing together are not soloists. Perhaps they could be called duetists, but that's an awkward and seldom used word construction. "Featured singers" would probably have sufficed for the purpose of the story.
Without detracting from the importance of vocal music education, it seems that language arts are not given enough attention in our schools. The reporter or the editor should have caught that mistake. But, it's not a problem exclusive to Augusta, nor is it a problem that more and better instruction in English would necessarily cure. The solution is more education in the arts, so that news reporters would know the terms used to refer to the various configurations of vocalists. It is obvious to me that arts education is as important as the three Rs, and educators and those who fund and pay for education should understand that as well.
Without detracting from the importance of vocal music education, it seems that language arts are not given enough attention in our schools. The reporter or the editor should have caught that mistake. But, it's not a problem exclusive to Augusta, nor is it a problem that more and better instruction in English would necessarily cure. The solution is more education in the arts, so that news reporters would know the terms used to refer to the various configurations of vocalists. It is obvious to me that arts education is as important as the three Rs, and educators and those who fund and pay for education should understand that as well.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Kansas Icon: Trees
The Atchison Globe carried a story headlined, The Return of Tree Cutting, a story that could be apply to any town in the state.
Kansas communities are known for their forested appearance. In the western part of the state on a mostly treeless plain, the association of trees and people is clear. In the eastern part of the state where trees are more plentiful, their association with urban development is not as remarkable, but is nonetheless evident. Trees are used for shade, ornament, windbreaks, and environment protection. Trees were planted by Western pioneers to recreate the appearance of their former home areas. Trees are part of the Kansas scene for all of our benefit.
But, trees may also conflict with aboveground electric lines with disastrous consequences. The recent ice and snow storm across Kansas and MIssouri have left thousands of residents and businesses without electrical service, for the most part due to disruption from fallen trees and limbs breaking distribution and service lines. That's why tree trimming and, in some cases, removal are so necessary for the continuity of electrical service and the safety of the public.
Of course, underground electric distribution and service lines are the best assurance of continuity of service. However, retrofitting our communities to all underground power is an expensive and difficult process. Tree trimming is probably, except for new development, the most practical solution, and then only if done in a manner that is an acceptable compromise to the tree butchering that some electric utilities have committed and the overly zealous protection of improperly located trees that some tree-trimming protestors demand.
Tree trimming is an electric utility expense that is funded like other costs of business by its consumers. The appearance of Kansas communities should not be sacrificed to maximize earnings per share, but neither should overly careful or exacting tree trimming inflate the cost of an essential service. Compromise is the key to the problem of the conflict between community appearance and continuity of service.
From the Atchison Globe article, it appears that both Westar and the City of Atchison are working together to find the best way of reaching both goals. This is the real Kansas way of providing safe, desirable communities.
Kansas communities are known for their forested appearance. In the western part of the state on a mostly treeless plain, the association of trees and people is clear. In the eastern part of the state where trees are more plentiful, their association with urban development is not as remarkable, but is nonetheless evident. Trees are used for shade, ornament, windbreaks, and environment protection. Trees were planted by Western pioneers to recreate the appearance of their former home areas. Trees are part of the Kansas scene for all of our benefit.
But, trees may also conflict with aboveground electric lines with disastrous consequences. The recent ice and snow storm across Kansas and MIssouri have left thousands of residents and businesses without electrical service, for the most part due to disruption from fallen trees and limbs breaking distribution and service lines. That's why tree trimming and, in some cases, removal are so necessary for the continuity of electrical service and the safety of the public.
Of course, underground electric distribution and service lines are the best assurance of continuity of service. However, retrofitting our communities to all underground power is an expensive and difficult process. Tree trimming is probably, except for new development, the most practical solution, and then only if done in a manner that is an acceptable compromise to the tree butchering that some electric utilities have committed and the overly zealous protection of improperly located trees that some tree-trimming protestors demand.
Tree trimming is an electric utility expense that is funded like other costs of business by its consumers. The appearance of Kansas communities should not be sacrificed to maximize earnings per share, but neither should overly careful or exacting tree trimming inflate the cost of an essential service. Compromise is the key to the problem of the conflict between community appearance and continuity of service.
From the Atchison Globe article, it appears that both Westar and the City of Atchison are working together to find the best way of reaching both goals. This is the real Kansas way of providing safe, desirable communities.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
It's A Struggle, Sometimes
Who would have guessed that florists across Kansas and their local customers were being victimized by a New Jersey outfit. I wasn't aware of the problem until I saw an Associated Press article in the Arkansas City Traveler about a law passed in 2000 that wasn't being enforced. Funny this Wichita Eagle spawned story didn't appear in the Kansas City Star, but I guess it is not important enough.
Apparently, a New Jersey company advertizes in local telephone directories, presenting itself as a local florist by including a place name in violation of a state consumer protection law that requires disclosure of its true location. In the case of florists, the New Jersey company takes orders, passes them on to a real local florist or a national service with a network of local florists, and levies a service charge for their trouble, which means the bouquet of flowers ordered has fewer blooms that expected by the customer.
With the fierce competition for retail dollars, individual merchants in communities across Kansas struggle for their very existence. Competition from mere phone book listings that involve no investment in the means of delivery of goods and services is hard to overcome, even if only a small portion of sales are eroded by the practice. Kansas consumers and out-of-state customers who, in the case of flowers, may be ordering them for a funeral, hospitalized person, birthday or other occasion deserve to know to whom they are giving their business.
The case of florists makes one wonder what other type of goods or services customers are being misled about. Nothing comes to mind right away, but I'm sure it's not just about flowers. Also, are orders made to out-of -state Web sites unfair competition, according to the same standard of disclosure, if their address is not listed. If a Kansas florist delivers the flowers ordered through a New Jersey call center, isn't the Kansas florist complicit in the ruse. In the reverse, shouldn't a New York Deli in Kansas either be required to have a mother company in the Big Apple or, at least post a disclaimer as to the true character of the delicatessan. Perhaps, all's fair in love, war and retail.
Anyway, the law has been on the books for the past 6 years and a greater consumer protection effort by AG-elect Morrison should make the florists and the flower givers feel better. In the meantime, caveat emptor.
Apparently, a New Jersey company advertizes in local telephone directories, presenting itself as a local florist by including a place name in violation of a state consumer protection law that requires disclosure of its true location. In the case of florists, the New Jersey company takes orders, passes them on to a real local florist or a national service with a network of local florists, and levies a service charge for their trouble, which means the bouquet of flowers ordered has fewer blooms that expected by the customer.
With the fierce competition for retail dollars, individual merchants in communities across Kansas struggle for their very existence. Competition from mere phone book listings that involve no investment in the means of delivery of goods and services is hard to overcome, even if only a small portion of sales are eroded by the practice. Kansas consumers and out-of-state customers who, in the case of flowers, may be ordering them for a funeral, hospitalized person, birthday or other occasion deserve to know to whom they are giving their business.
The case of florists makes one wonder what other type of goods or services customers are being misled about. Nothing comes to mind right away, but I'm sure it's not just about flowers. Also, are orders made to out-of -state Web sites unfair competition, according to the same standard of disclosure, if their address is not listed. If a Kansas florist delivers the flowers ordered through a New Jersey call center, isn't the Kansas florist complicit in the ruse. In the reverse, shouldn't a New York Deli in Kansas either be required to have a mother company in the Big Apple or, at least post a disclaimer as to the true character of the delicatessan. Perhaps, all's fair in love, war and retail.
Anyway, the law has been on the books for the past 6 years and a greater consumer protection effort by AG-elect Morrison should make the florists and the flower givers feel better. In the meantime, caveat emptor.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Kansas Christmas Celebrations
Throughout Kansas, communities celebrated the Christmas season this past weekend. Dena O'Dell, Lifestyles Editor of the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle, reports on her community's activities: arts and crafts show, business district festival, parade, tree lighting ceremony, visit by Santa, a homes tour, a museum open house and a holiday cookbook. These are typical examples of how many Kansas cities welcome the holiday season. The arts and crafts show vendors have unusual gifts and holiday decor. The business district festival and longer store hours entice hometown shopping. The parade challenges the innovativeness of marchers' displays and the stamina of watchers braving December weather. A community tree lighting gathering with Christmas music and carols announces the official start of the season. Santa will show up at one or any number of the events. Gaily decorated homes are on put on display, sometimes for a slight fee to support Christmas charities. Abilene is fortunate to have the Eisenhower Center whose annual open house and free admission is an added attraction to round out a weekend of fun. Another money -maker is the release of an annual cookbook in this case by the local historical society.
This year Abilene revived a unique tradition by the recreation of the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle's historical Turkey Toss , which first appeared at the turn of previous century. Live turkeys were launched from downtown rooftops to the waiting crowds in the street below. I suppose if the birds could fly far enough and fast enough, they got a reprieve from the oven. For those who would consider the release of lives birds to the out-stretched paws of holiday revelers as a barabric practice, don't worry; the current event is announced as pitching toy turkeys clutching gift certificates to participants in several age categories. At least this new twist to the Turkey Toss demonstrates in one way that Kansans, at least those in Abilene, with the passage of time, have become a more caring people.
Although many other cities do similar events, in my opinion, Abilene by its full-fledged effort sets the standard for Kansas cities in welcoming the holiday season.
This year Abilene revived a unique tradition by the recreation of the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle's historical Turkey Toss , which first appeared at the turn of previous century. Live turkeys were launched from downtown rooftops to the waiting crowds in the street below. I suppose if the birds could fly far enough and fast enough, they got a reprieve from the oven. For those who would consider the release of lives birds to the out-stretched paws of holiday revelers as a barabric practice, don't worry; the current event is announced as pitching toy turkeys clutching gift certificates to participants in several age categories. At least this new twist to the Turkey Toss demonstrates in one way that Kansans, at least those in Abilene, with the passage of time, have become a more caring people.
Although many other cities do similar events, in my opinion, Abilene by its full-fledged effort sets the standard for Kansas cities in welcoming the holiday season.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Over-the-counter Cure-all
A new patent medicine is being advertised on TV. It's called "Mood-Plus". It is for stress relief. Take a dose of Mood-Plus and relax stress-free and happy. No prescription required.
It reminds me of a comic routine I heard on the radio while in Southern California some time ago. The routine was a faux commercial for a new product called "Damitol". A dose of Damitol (pronounced like Geritol) would cure you. Your bad mood would disappear, along with all your worries, fears, concerns and other stressors. Life imitates art, again. How wonderful that some 40 years after first hearing about Damitol, I can go to the store and buy its latest incarnation, Mood-Plus.
It reminds me of a comic routine I heard on the radio while in Southern California some time ago. The routine was a faux commercial for a new product called "Damitol". A dose of Damitol (pronounced like Geritol) would cure you. Your bad mood would disappear, along with all your worries, fears, concerns and other stressors. Life imitates art, again. How wonderful that some 40 years after first hearing about Damitol, I can go to the store and buy its latest incarnation, Mood-Plus.
Code Words
The ability to speak plainly is becoming a lost art, particularly in the realm of politics. Instead of "telling it like it is", all we get are code words. The political leadership is more into crafting the right euphemism for events and challenges than telling the truth.
No political subject is more susceptible to code words than the Iraq situation. Witness the debate over whether or not Iraq is having a civil war. A civil war would definitely interfere with our War on Terror (a code word for retaliation for 9/11), so the Bushies won't use that term. Saying that our troops were embroiled in an Iraqi civil war would suggest that our original mission of taking the fight to the terrorists on their ground was no longer our primary reason for being in Iraq. The Iraqi War was over within weeks of our invasion, witness- "Mission Accomplished" (a code word for toppling Saddam). Mission accomplished was followed by bringing democracy to the people of Iraq ( a code word for exit strategy). An Iraqi civil war would fly in the face of all our efforts to bring democracy to the people of Iraq. An Iraqi civil war would admit that our exit strategy had failed, therefore the Bushies dare not call it that.
I wouldn't call the internecine strife in Iraq a civil war either. I think of a civil war as armed warfare between two governments both claiming legitimacy and both contending for control of the same nation. I would call the Iraq situation anarchy, sectarian slaughter, religious warfare, or anything else but civil war. Whatever the name, the situation is horrendous, indefensible and chaotic. It is not conducive to the creation of a democratic society, although who knows what could happen if enough of the radical Sunnis and Shi'ites are killed by each other. Regardless of our original reasons for being in Iraq, an immediate withdrawal of American armed forces would probably worsen the situation.
It was suggested at one time that the Baathist insurgents, Al Qaeda's foreign fighters and common criminals were stoking sectarian battles to destabilize Iraq. It seems now that the acts and retaliations for acts of Sunnis and Shi'ites have their own impetus. It makes me wonder if the terrorists had that much to do with the religious killings in the first place. The Sunnis (orthodox Muslims) and the Shia' (Muslims who wanted Ali, Muhammed's cousin, to lead their movement and religion) have been opposed to each other since after the death of the Prophet in the 7th century. I don't think any amount of troops will cause them to stop harming each other. Alas, what can be done? One thing for sure that can be done is to have the Right Guy in charge in Iraq. Bush says we have him in Malachi. I hope so. By the way, Right Guy is a code word for scapegoat.
No political subject is more susceptible to code words than the Iraq situation. Witness the debate over whether or not Iraq is having a civil war. A civil war would definitely interfere with our War on Terror (a code word for retaliation for 9/11), so the Bushies won't use that term. Saying that our troops were embroiled in an Iraqi civil war would suggest that our original mission of taking the fight to the terrorists on their ground was no longer our primary reason for being in Iraq. The Iraqi War was over within weeks of our invasion, witness- "Mission Accomplished" (a code word for toppling Saddam). Mission accomplished was followed by bringing democracy to the people of Iraq ( a code word for exit strategy). An Iraqi civil war would fly in the face of all our efforts to bring democracy to the people of Iraq. An Iraqi civil war would admit that our exit strategy had failed, therefore the Bushies dare not call it that.
I wouldn't call the internecine strife in Iraq a civil war either. I think of a civil war as armed warfare between two governments both claiming legitimacy and both contending for control of the same nation. I would call the Iraq situation anarchy, sectarian slaughter, religious warfare, or anything else but civil war. Whatever the name, the situation is horrendous, indefensible and chaotic. It is not conducive to the creation of a democratic society, although who knows what could happen if enough of the radical Sunnis and Shi'ites are killed by each other. Regardless of our original reasons for being in Iraq, an immediate withdrawal of American armed forces would probably worsen the situation.
It was suggested at one time that the Baathist insurgents, Al Qaeda's foreign fighters and common criminals were stoking sectarian battles to destabilize Iraq. It seems now that the acts and retaliations for acts of Sunnis and Shi'ites have their own impetus. It makes me wonder if the terrorists had that much to do with the religious killings in the first place. The Sunnis (orthodox Muslims) and the Shia' (Muslims who wanted Ali, Muhammed's cousin, to lead their movement and religion) have been opposed to each other since after the death of the Prophet in the 7th century. I don't think any amount of troops will cause them to stop harming each other. Alas, what can be done? One thing for sure that can be done is to have the Right Guy in charge in Iraq. Bush says we have him in Malachi. I hope so. By the way, Right Guy is a code word for scapegoat.
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