|
Post by Tenarke on Jan 29, 2010 19:07:54 GMT -5
I was interested this morning in watching President Obama addressing a Caucus of Republican Congressmen with yet another plea for some degree of bipartisan cooperation. After his remarks he invited questions which he fielded for over an hour, I believe. This is very unusual for an American President although it is part of the job for a British Prime minister to undergo similar questions from Parliament. I for one found it a refreshing expression of transparency in government and that the President came off quite well. Whether the rest of my fellow citizens agree or not only time and the various pundits will tell. Speaking of which; I see that Tony Blair, although no longer PM, is still having to field questions from Parliament. Although not facing Parliament as a whole he is presently giving testimony to a Parliamentary committee investigating the UK’s involvement in assisting our invasion of Iraq. As to how well he did, I can refer you to this: www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article7007886.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1The video link is interesting.
|
|
|
Post by RobertGraves on Feb 9, 2010 4:09:00 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Tenarke on Feb 10, 2010 18:53:32 GMT -5
Robert; having read with interest your last post yesterday, I find today the following article in the NY Times which bears on it: www.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/world/asia/10pstan.html?th&emc=thIf Pakistan, who have apparently been tolerating, if not sheltering Al-Qaeda, are now offering to broker a deal between us and the Taliban does this indicate a split between them (both Pakistan and Taliban) and Al-Qaeda? If so, would Al-Qaeda, without the support of Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, become irrelevant? I’m with you. I’d very much like to know what Wyndham would make of this. I do hope he remembered to pack his laptop.
|
|
|
Post by RobertGraves on Feb 13, 2010 0:16:46 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Tenarke on Feb 14, 2010 22:37:03 GMT -5
Strange but interesting. In the NYC article I posted he day before it appears that Generals McCrystal and Patreus were entertaining the possibility of a resolution with the Taliban with Pakistan as mediator, yet now McCrystal’s boys are out in the poppy fields of Marjah, if not eliminating the Taliban, at least moving them elsewhere. I suppose that this, if not actually contradictory is at least contrary.
I’ve read and heard commentary from several sources on the Afghan “surge”. There seems to be little doubt of moving the Taliban out of specific locations within Afghanistan, but there is much more doubt in regard to preventing their return once our troops deploy elsewhere.
I understand that the Taliban actually disapproves of the opium production and trade now centered in Marjah. This raises the choice of shall we win the war against the Taliban or that other war against drugs.
Of course if we were to win both, then the Afghanis would be stuck to find some other way to make a living.
No?
|
|
|
Post by RobertGraves on Feb 20, 2010 16:07:45 GMT -5
I read that the Dutch government is in crisis re: keeping troops in Afghanistan.
|
|
|
Post by RobertGraves on Feb 23, 2010 5:16:44 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Tenarke on Feb 27, 2010 18:52:52 GMT -5
I haven’t been posting much lately because I have been feeling considerably even grouchier than is normal for me. And why, after all, should I rain on everyone else’s picnic. I had such high hopes when Obama was elected. I shared in the feelings expressed by his wife when she said that for the first time in a long time I was not embarrassed by my nationality. Now seemingly, so little has changed. President Obama has been consistently reasonable and conciliatory conceding (far too much for my money) much to get what had been carelessly broken through neglect and greed, but the Republicans have been persistent in seeing to it that the damage remains as they left it. It has been a battle of right reason and good will versus political craziness and I have been worried that this craziness might after all win. Case in point; Health Care Reform. Here’s what Paul Krugman has to say: www.nytimes.com/2010/02/26/opinion/26krugman.html?th&emc=thHe appears to me to be a bit more optimistic than I. Well, he is a Nobel Laureate; maybe he sees things more clearly. Let us hope.
|
|
wordswordswords
Full Member
"There's no harm in hoping." - Voltaire
Posts: 178
|
Post by wordswordswords on Mar 1, 2010 1:31:26 GMT -5
I'm at the same rainy picnic, I guess. I was all filled with hope and pride when Obama was elected, but now he seems to have been flummoxed by the Republican right.
I'd hate to think that what has happened is that he and his supporters are so overwhelmed by the novelty of our electing a person of color that they don't dare rock any more boats.
|
|
|
Post by Tenarke on Mar 1, 2010 21:34:06 GMT -5
No, I doubt that timidity is Obama’s problem. He appears to be trying to behave like the solitary grownup in a roomful of spoiled and misbehaving brats.
I can hear them now. "I don't wanna share." "It was MINE!" "He took it when I wasn't looking!"
Lord! I'm turning into a cranky old geezer - and it's the Republican's fault.
|
|
|
Post by Tenarke on Mar 2, 2010 18:09:39 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by RobertGraves on Mar 14, 2010 2:49:16 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Tenarke on Mar 15, 2010 15:29:51 GMT -5
Interesting. This got no coverage here that I have seen or read. Guess your miltary had best get itself a better PR firm.
Has anyone heard from Wyndham? He must be over there by now - him and his lap-top.
I really miss hearing what he has to say. I suspect you do too.
|
|
|
Post by Tenarke on Mar 21, 2010 21:45:51 GMT -5
As I compose this CNN is on next to me and Congress is preparing to finally vote on health care reform. By the time I am finished this the vote should be over.
Is appears that the Democrats will have the votes to pass. If so I will be in a position to be one of the first to post and say hurrah. What will pass will be in my estimation a weak and overly complex version of the single payer plan many other countries have, have found to work and work well. However it is a foot in the door and hopefully can be improved upon later.
The Republicans are rending their garments and crying woe. It is Socialism, Communism, the apocalypse itself and the end of life as we know it. Our house will be on fire and our children will burn.
In so far as it goes it will be a success for President Obama. He will have succeeded in accomplishing what has been attempted but failed several times since the Truman administration. Hopefully this may better unify the Democrats behind his leadership. There is so much left to be done.
That’s it! Yay! Hurray!
|
|
|
Post by Tenarke on Mar 22, 2010 20:20:59 GMT -5
Continuing yesterday’s post; here’s what Krugman had to say about Republican demeanor during the health care reform debate: www.nytimes.com/2010/03/22/opinion/22krugman.html?th&emc=thI honestly thought that John Boehner (R) would have a thrombosis while simultaneously fouling his shorts in mid rant.
|
|