Terrorism by any Other Name

If an Iranian warship shot down an American airliner, how would Americans* respond? With outrage and a desire for retribution, surely. Now, reverse the nationalities and remove the hypothetical and you can imagine how the Iranians feel about us.

On July 3, 1988 the American cruiser USS Vincennes shot down an Iran Air airliner, killing 290 civilians, including 66 children.

The US first claimed that the airplane was actually a fighter attacking the cruiser. The wreckage and radar logs soon made it clear that the plane was a commercial airliner on a scheduled flight. George the First (Bush) defended the shoot-down and said "I will never apologize for the United States of America — I don't care what the facts are" (like father, like son). The sailors on the Vincennes were awarded combat-action ribbons. Eventually, the US government paid reparations, tacitly admitting culpability.

This was not “terrorism”, because the US Navy and government had no intention of killing these people. However, the captain had developed a reputation among his peers as being overly aggressive, earning for his ship the mocking nickname “robocruiser”. When inappropriate behavior is so widely recognized, those in command should be aware of the problem and it is their duty to act. (A parallel could be drawn with the Abu Grahib prisoner abuse scandal.) When they fail to exercise their responsibility, and deny the facts of the consequences, then their behavior effectively mirrors the terrorists'.

Americans, if they know anything of our troubled history with Iran, are vaguely aware of CIA support for the Shah, a brutal dictator, from the '50s to the '70s, the yearlong hostage crisis under Carter, and the Iran-contra imbroglio under Reagan. We should be reminded occasionally of the reasons why Iran might rationally fear us. Such a reminder might check our self-righteousness.

*The government-media-public triangle is more complex than "tail wagging the dog". The government ignores or ingratiates itself with the news media; the media arcs from lionizing to pillorying politicians while harping or pandering to the public; the public can make-or-break politicians and media, but is so misled and misinformed that it responds slowly and then acts capriciously.

Round Trip

Ellipsoid, actually. We turn the corner tonight at 22 minutes after midnight (UTC, formerly known as GMT).

The Holocaust?

Iran hosted a meeting bringing together many leading doubters of the Holocaust. This sad group disputes the historical record that millions of Jews were killed in the Nazi death camps.

The evidence of the Jewish Holocaust is overwhelming. One must believe either (1) the massive evidence from many diverse and seemingly unimpeachable sources or (2) it is a vast conspiracy. Have the conspiracy theorists ever presented a plausible motive? Justifying the formation of a Jewish state (Israel) isn't logical because the conspiracy must include non-Zionists and even anti-Zionists.

I once talked with an old man who believed the Jews were not killed but rather died in the camps from typhus, which actually is a scourge of overcrowded and underfed populations. The experience was particularly disturbing because he was clearly very intelligent and educated. He never claimed personal experience that countered the historical record, though naturally I wonder what he did in the war. He did not present a motive for the conspiracy and, after a spirited (albeit increasingly uncomfortable) half hour of conversation, the remainder of the 7 hour flight was silent.

I have visited Dachau and Auschwitz, two of the most notorious death camps. It is a numbing and challenging experience: numbing because the depth of the horror is unfathomable and challenging because the scale of the process demonstrates our human capacity to systematize and normalize even the most loathsome behavior.

Let us never forget the millions of Jews killed in the Holocaust. And let us also remember the many non-Jews killed because they were political opponents, homosexuals, gypsies, or because their homes were designated as “living room” (lebensraum) for Nazis. We naturally sympathize and identify with the victims. However, most importantly, we must guard against the stereotyping and vilification that led people like us to commit or tolerate these horrors.

Iraq Study Group: can you handle the truth?

The Iraq Study Group (ISG) report clearly states what anyone paying attention has known for some time: the situation in Iraq is dire and getting worse. It's a miracle that a bipartisan group could be so blunt. Bush performed his now-familiar routine, thanking the members of a panel for a study he didn't want, for news he doesn't understand, and for advice he won't follow. A few people want to shoot the messengers, calling the ISG members “surrender monkeys” and worse. Unfortunately, these people are the same fools who have supported Bush from the beginning, in other words, his political base. Nothing in Bush's political character indicates that he could ignore his base for any reason, even if he understood and accepted the ISG's conclusions.

Others are saying that we owe the Iraqis a strong effort to right the situation. They favor the definition of clear and achievable goals for the Iraqi government. They think such an effort would prevent any subsequent claim that we lost only because we gave up. This is the same argument that others still make about Vietnam. It's a little late to be defining goals. But the main problem with this approach is that it's twin goals are antagonistic: last chance efforts do not inspire the courage required to prevail.

There is even talk of replacing the Iraqi government. So much for democracy. The advocates of this approach are the most unrealistic: it's not like the Iraqis have Diebold electronic voting machines that make it easy to steal elections in Florida, Ohio, etc. Those purple fingers! So colorful, so dramatic, so nettlesome.

TSA: Traveling Sheep of America

If you needed any more proof that we have become a nation of sheep, just fly somewhere. Since 9/11, the usual chutes herding us from door to door are supplemented with the TSA, the “Transportation Security Administration” Grumbling about the inconvenience is checked by the awareness that any behavior judged even mildly individualistic might be punished. Complain too loudly and you will be detained and miss your flight. A little louder and you are subject to a body cavity search or arrest.

Independent tests have shown the ineffectiveness of the TSA. Knives have been inadvertently left on planes by cleaning and repair crews. Explosives can be smuggled as constituents. Even a cursory examination of the 'secure' areas suggests obvious holes, some as simple as running up a down escalator to the baggage claim. Liquids and gels are the latest scare. Since we are ourselves just an organized collection of liquids and gels, figuring out how to defeat these restrictions does not require much imagination.

The rules of hijacking were rewritten by 9/11 on 9/11. The tried-and-true response before was to negotiate while the hijacker was allowed to take the plane where they wanted. The rules changed the instant that it became clear that the 9/11 hijackers had no demands so there would be no negotiations. This change occurred instantly. United Flight 93, the one that crashed in Pennsylvania, did not reach its target because the passengers were aware of their stark choice: do nothing and certainly die or do something and maybe live. (Among sheep, their choice passes for heroism.) The official rules, which changed soon after, no longer allowed the hijacker into the cockpit. These simple, new rules instantly dropped the chance of a repeat to near zero.

We are not safer today than on 9/12/2001. Stop the madness. Stop the Totally Senseless Administration.

Global Suffocation

“Global warming” actually sounds kind of nice, even a little comforting. Feel a chill? Well, don't worry, the whole globe is warming up just to keep you comfy! To get action, to galvanize public outrage, we need a better name. We should call it what it is: global suffocation.

The warming is anyway just a symptom of the problem: increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide. This is due to man's burning fossil fuels and destroying the ecosystems of living plants in forests, praries, wetlands, oceans, etc. Everyone knows temperatures fluctuate – daily, seasonally, yearly. But since the industrial age, atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels go only one way -- upward at an increasing rate. Any doubts whether CO2 levels are rising are dispelled by the data, just the facts, provided here courtesy of wikipedia. [The timeline on the x axis would be better shown reversed, history moving to the right, but look at the numbers: already over a record 375 ppm and increasing rapidly.]

You suffocate when you cannot get enough oxygen. Oxygen is removed from the air when it combines with carbon in fossil fuels to produce carbon dioxide. When we burn carbon (gasoline, diesel, natural gas, coal), we are slowly, imperceptibly suffocating ourselves. A simple, true statement.

Justice timed is politics as usual

Justice delayed is justice denied. Gladstone

The trial of Saddam Hussein on charges he ordered hundreds of innocent people killed in revenge for an assassination attempt has come to its predictable conclusion: guilty. What are the odds that after so many months, the verdict would be delivered on the weekend before a midterm US election? Another time, it might have been thought mere coincidence. With the gang squatting in the White House, what once might have been considered cynicism is now realism.

These predictable verdicts are only the gloss on Hussein's crimes. Prosecution lawyers are not permitted to investigate American culpability in providing Hussein with weapons, satellite imagery, and other intelligence for use against Iran and misuse against internal enemies. Defense lawyers are often simply killed. This is a sad example of American justice in Babylon, the land of Hammurabi, who defined justice for millennia. The Bush League rewrite of Hammurabi would be "innocent until suspected".

Iraq-nam

“Iraq is Vietnam.”

Right! says the Administration: we are winning the war but just like Vietnam, the Democrats will cut off support for our troops and the struggling government. This is Henry Kissinger's version of the history of Vietnam – we (actually, he) won the war but Congress withdrew support too early. Translation: stay the course despite the undeniable evidence of failure.

Right! Say the Democrats, we are bogged down in a hopeless war and should either change course dramatically or just leave ASAP. As John Kerry said about Vietnam: “How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?” Translation: cut and run despite the likelihood that this will produce a humanitarian and geopolitical nightmare.

Wrong! I say: Vietnam was a minor country, technologically backward and on the edge of nowhere. Iraq is a major country, technologically capable, in a fragile region and possessor of critical oil resources. The global economy will be hurt – and terrorists helped – by our rushed withdrawal. Translation: the consequences of failure in Iraq are much worse than they were in Vietnam.

After Gulf War I, George the First encouraged the Shiites to rise up against Saddam Hussein, suggesting that we would help them. They did but we didn't, and they died by the tens of thousands when Hussein brutally suppressed the uprising. George II started Gulf War II, which deposed Hussein and encouraged the most noble and self-sacrificing Iraqis to risk everything to build a democratic and multi-ethnic nation. But the appalling ineptitude of the Bush administration has ensured that any hope for a new Iraq – always faint – is now almost certainly gone.

In the end, we will abandon these brave people, leaving them at the mercy of the lowest and most despicable among them, just as we did the Shiites and the Vietnamese. That's how Iraq is like Vietnam.

Cheerleader-in-Chief

Anyone who thinks George W. Bush has suddenly started pondering the similarity between Vietnam and Iraq should take a deep breath. The world was not turned upside down overnight. He is merely practicing the new party line. It goes like this:

the insurgents know about the election;
the insurgents want the Democrats to win;
you should not want what the insurgents want;
you should vote Republican.

Ok, it's doesn't even rhyme, but given the current state of Republican fortunes, it almost makes sense and certainly gives cheer.

But seriously, all successful insurgencies have common themes, whether they are Vietnamese, Shiite, or the Founding Fathers of America. They make the controlling power hurt. It cannot be denied: the US is losing people and money at an unsustainable rate. What are our options? Sadly, we will accept “cut and run” with a James Baker 3rd imprimatur and Nixon echo and learn to like it ... after the election and another few hundred or thousand American lives.

Korean Mushrooms Glow in the Dark

North Korea exploded a nuclear bomb – a small one that was more “fizzle” than shizzle but still scary. Five years after Bush placed it on the "axis of evil", North Korea has gone from a wanna-be to a bona fide member of the nuclear club. Containment is another miserable failure of the Bush administration. Why did this happen? Three reasons: pride, fear and desperation - theirs and ours.

Pride. Their national pride is boosted by this demonstration of technical skill. The Bush administration is too proud to abandon even clearly failed policies – in this case, the refusal to negotiate face-to-face with the North Koreans. They have crossed line after "line in the sand" without consequences, yet Secretary Rice has the temerity to draw another at them supplying the bomb to others. Maybe she and her boss should coordinate better – Bush says he doesn't accept the status quo. Instead of drawing (another) line in the sand, he has his head in the sand.

Fear. Having seen what the US did against Iraq, every dictator in the world knows that conventional arms won't deter the US. The North Koreans can hold the South hostage even without a proven missile. The fear of a nuclear armed Korean missile is unfounded but played up by the Bush administration seeking to justify the white elephant missile defense system. The fear of adverse consequences have been gutted by this administration's decision to welcome India and Pakistan back as favored nations despite their violations of the non-proliferation treaty.

Desperation. The North Koreans are desperately poor and isolated. This administration stopped food and fuel oil shipments, sinking the poorest even further. The Bush administration is also desperate and growing even more desperate with every report of a probable Democratic take over of Congress.

Diplomacy is the sole arena that this administration won't “go it alone”. We go to war practically alone. We ignore the world on climate change. We unilaterally abandon international rules on prisoners of war. But we refuse to negotiate. President Kennedy said

Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.

Kennedy and his administration were capable, confident people who were comfortable with free exchanges of ideas, not cronies who are (rightly) afraid that they are out of their depth. The current crop rely on bluster to silence opposition. This is lethal against their arch enemies, the Democrats, but impotent against the real enemies of America. A measure of how low we've sunk is that former Secretary of State (and permanent Bush family consigliere) James Baker 3rd, who led the illegal Iran-Contra idiocy of the Reagan-Bush administrations, looks like an eminence grise.

Secretary Rice, Representative Bolton, and the administration are thrilled that they got a UN agreement supporting sanctions against North Korea. These sanctions will block luxury items shipped to North Korea on the grounds that they are destined solely for dictator Kim Jong Il. As if we could actually regulate the tiny trade volume this represents! Let's call this is the Marie Antoinette 'solution': let them (not) eat cake.

Amish Amen

The families of the school girls killed in Pennsylvania are not only mourning their dead but also praying for the killer and his family. This evidence of profound belief and grace can restore one's faith in humanity, so sorely tried in such cases. These are clearly people who know the meaning of the phrases, such as the “sanctity of life”, that are tossed around so casually and often cynically by our politicians. May their moral consistency be a guide for us all.

Loyalists vs. Liberals: Identity Theft

It's funny how the Republicans like to profess their dislike of liberals and their affection for the "founding fathers” of the United States. Funny, because the founding fathers were liberals. They stood together and revolted against the established order. Only about a third of Colonists supported independence. Come the revolution, that American revolution, these Republicans would have been among the royalists/loyalists.

Substitute "liberal" for "Communist" and many of the Republican attack ads are recycled from the Red Scare days of the 1950s. Listen to an ad and try it yourself. Are you now, or have you ever been, a liberal?

The administration is full of self-styled "conservatives". But considering how they've increased the debt, it would be more appropriate to call them spendthrifts. Instead of "tax and spend" they favor "borrow and spend". The proverbial drunken sailor is limited to wasting their own pocket money: this bunch are drunken sailors with credit cards – and the credit cards have your kids' names on them. This identity theft will leave the next generation with debt, white elephants (masquerading as weapons systems), smoldering wars, and a tarnished reputation for justice.

Crying “wolf”: That dog won't hunt no more.

Tim Russert on Meet the Press confronted Dick Cheney with his lies. No link between Iraq and 9/11, no WMD, etc. The Democrats could learn focus and plain speaking from Russert. (If only Lieberman had been one-tenth as assertive in the 2000 VP “debate”...) Cheney's body language was telling – head dropping, hands waving, and even sputtering – he knew it was bad. He recovered his paternalistic attitude later in the show. You've got to credit Cheney for having the courage to appear. It is evidence of the panic this administration feels about an election that might produce a Democratic House that takes its oversight responsibilities seriously.

Cheney crowed about there being no terrorist attacks on US soil in the 5 years since 9/11. He claimed this as evidence of their successful management of the war on terror. Remember, there were no foreign terror attacks for 8 years before 9/11 - ZERO. Would this administration credit Clinton with this success? Not likely. Moreover, the perpetrators of the 1993 attack were successfully prosecuted and convicted within a few years using legal investigation and interrogation methods. They are in prison while Osama is free and producing videos – and probably worse.

Vince Young, Superman, and Texas Champion

The Texas loss at home to Ohio State today shows how much they miss their quarterback Vince Young, who graduated last year. Sure, Coach Brown has made Texas a consistently good program. But not great. It was Young who willed the Texas win over Michigan 2 years ago and last year's wins in Columbus against OSU and the BCS championship over USC. He should have won the Heisman. He should've been drafted #1 into the NFL. OSU, Michigan, and USC have programs that are well-oiled machines, regularly producing good teams that play well. Texas had a superman and they won against these machines. In 40 years of watching college football, I have never seen one player so important to a team. Tonight just proves it.

Idiot Tutor: Congress lectures Business

Congress, shaking off it's byzantine sloth, has roused it's indignation and is now presuming to lecture British Petroleum (BP) on how to run it's business. Congress is shocked by BP business practices. Oh! They scrimped on maintenance! Well, they have an enormous infrastructure and performed standard tests. Oh! They made a lot of money last year! Well, ain't that the point in a capital economy? Un-be-liev-able!

These Congressmen, many of whom like to pose as businessmen, try to make "profits" sound obscene. Fact is, BP's profits are average for oil companies and returns on investment in the oil sector are similar to returns in other areas. "Big oil's" profit margins are not unusual. There is no evidence of price gouging. They make a lot of money simply because they sell a lot of oil.

The real reason for Congress's indignation is the fear that oil spills in the arctic threaten their political cover for selling out the Arctic National "Wildlife Refuge" (ANWR). Big oil will pay handsomely for this opportunity. Oops, did I say "pay"? I mean "support" the Congressman (in their pocket).

If YOU don't like what BP has done, your choice is easy: don't buy your gas from BP. (Maybe you prefer to get your oil from Exxon, still trying to clean up Prince William Sound?) We don't need to involve Congress. I wish we had a similarly direct action to register frustration with our government's stupid, counter-productive war mongering masquerading as national defense.

Fool enough of the people and Steal the rest

Abraham Lincoln, the first Republican president (start with a bang, end with a Wimper [sic]), said you can't fool all the people all the time. The puppeteers of the current administration have overcome this limitation in the election system. They rely on 30% of the voting public being too dumb or distracted to ever change their "minds", then manipulate enough of the remaining votes to win the election. Ballot boxes are not stuffed, the tallies are simply changed. Electronic voting machines are not hacked, they are deliberately manipulated by companies such as Diebold who have committed to this kleptocracy.

It happened in Ohio and elsewhere in 2004 and it's going to happen many more places in 2006. The administration is extremely worried what Democratic control of the House would entail. It would mean not just an end of the lapdog rubber stamp, but a start of serious investigations into this lawless administration.

Personally, I don't think they should worry so much because the Dems have proven themselves incapable of turning even the most craven Republican criminal activity into political capital. Watergate doesn't count because the script written by Woodward and Bernstein of the Washington Post and the evidence provided by John Dean and the tape recordings would make rank amateurs look like Clarence Darrow.

Rummy goes French

US Secretary of War, Donald Rumpelstiltskin, moral midget, now sinks to quoting dead French generals on warfare. Sure, quote Napoleon Bonaparte (he was Corsican actually), but WWI general Clemenceau? Quote RumDum:

"You know from experience that in every war -- personally -- there have been mistakes and setbacks and casualties,'' he said. ''War is,'' as Clemenceau said, `A series of catastrophes that results in victory.'

Aha! It's no wonder we are suffering a 'series of catastrophes', it's part of Rummy's plan for victory! Sorry to disillusion you, Dumbsfeld, but despite Clemenceau's dictum, a series of catastrophes is more likely to lead to defeat than victory. And what does RumBum mean by "personally"? He was never personally in a war. I suppose hope is the best 'strategy' we can expect from these clowns (apologies to genuine clowns).

As for me, I think we should take the successful American general and President Grant's word on it: War is Hell. There's a plan for Rumenceau: Go to Hell (but don't take US with you).

PS Making fun of someone's name is stupid but I cannot help myself.

Sheik Hassan Nasrallah for President!

Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah said he made a mistake in ordering the raid that triggered the Israeli attack on Lebanon. Imagine, a leader with the strength of character to admit mistakes! Bush could learn a lesson in leadership. Bush claims divine guidance in his zeal to democratize the world (negated by his hypocrisy and bumbling). This Sheik is a bona fide religious leader who does not claim infallible judgment.

Make no mistake, we've made Hussein look like a minor league killer ("Bush league" is the new major league). The count of dead and injured in Iraq is over 2,500 dead and nearly 20,000 grievously wounded Americans, and over 100,000 dead Iraqis.

Exit question: Will the trial of Hussein on gassing Kurds (we are apparently ignoring the Iranian victims) call Donald Rumsfeld to testify on his involvment?

Not meaning no disrespect

I've heard too many “hate the war, love the troops” reports. You know the drill: a soldier dies and muted doubts about the war are carefully balanced by respect for the soldier's commitment to protecting and serving the nation. Honestly, it has always sounded strained – because it is nonsense, a misguided attempt to correct the errors of the Vietnam war. Now, we might all just accept this deception if it worked. But the worst part is that this “respect” isn't actually helping returning servicemen reconnect. About the same fraction of Vietnam and Gulf War veterans suffer severe psychological illness.

Many people are serving their communities by working hard in underpaid jobs. Or protecting the nation by defending the rights of the vulnerable. None of these jobs come with the pay and perquisites of the armed forces, which are accepting the unqualified and frankly bribing the qualified to join or reenlist.

You don't need basic training to serve your country. You just need the basics. Strive to improve yourself, love your family and friends, and do what you can to help the needy in your community.

Frat Boy meets Minister's Daughter

W tried his hand at loosening up the leaders of the free world (and Russia) at their recent meeting. The new German leader, Angela Merkel, is a strong ally of Bush. But when W tried to give her an uninvited back rub, her body language said “get your hands off me now, creep”. This is probably not the first time W has encountered such a response, but hey, it's also “worked” pretty often. Only this time, the cameras were on and there were no other “girls” around for him to shift his attentions.

Loosen up, Angie! Are we having fun yet?
If this is how clueless W is among friends, imagine his missteps among our enemies.

In football, the ridicule now being heaped on W would draw a “piling on” penalty. Your humble, bruised blogger takes solace in being near the bottom of the pile. Half the ridicule in this blog is aimed not at W, who is anyway oblivious, but at us and our favorite news media. Here's one more (can't help myself). Bush said, "See, the irony is what they need to do is get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this shit, and it's over". For swearing, Bush was criticized but also applauded (for his “passion”). But what about his use of “irony”? He apparently does not know what irony means (incongruity between expression and meaning). Where's the irony? He sounds like a college sophomore who just learned the word in Composition or Criticism class and thinks it makes him sound smart.

Maybe instead of building a new Presidential library, W should spend some of his retirement in a couple of the fine libraries he never visited as a student at Andover, Yale and Harvard.

WMD = Worried, Mad, and Disgusted

For those incurable optimists still driving around with "W" stickers, may I suggest this replacement?

Worried was an appropriate response in 2000, so at least you'll be caught up to the millennium.

For those technically savvy who wish to express their anger and dismay, this may convey their feeling in instant messenger code (what the 'heck'):


Scale, print and apply. I welcome any suggestions for the "disgusted" among us.

Desk Warriors, Bunker Bullies

For the first time in decades, Israel's leader has relatively little experience in war. This inexperience might be one reason Mr Olmert has responded so aggressively to the kidnapping of 3 soldiers in Gaza and near Lebanon. In short, he is afraid of being a wimp. This is a legitimate concern, since confidence is crucial for a leader. But an effective leader has to distinguish resolution from reflex.

Sharon, a former General, withstood the “friendly fire” attacks as he planned and executed Israel's withdrawal from Gaza. Olmert does not have the standing to lead a partial withdrawal from the West Bank in the face of Palestinian hostility. In a futile attempt at appeasing his domestic critics, he ordered a wide attack in Gaza and Lebanon. Sadly, the response is an overreaction, disproportionate, and a miscalculation. The punishment of Palestinian and Lebanese civilians will only produce more misguided martyrs.

We Americans have also suffered from such misguided compensation. Bush Jr. was convinced by his (similarly) inexperienced buddies that the war in Iraq would be quick, easy, cheap, and practically bloodless. (These wonkish advisors named themselves the 'Vulcans'; choosing an ominous name is a particularly childish compensation.) Compare this with (former General) Eisenhower, who as President balanced competing interests of Allies in the middle east. He used American power to help Israel and stop European meddling but also demonstrated sympathy and support for the Arabs and Palestinians.

I am not suggesting that we elect only former Generals as leaders, though Clark or Powell (before he was co-opted) are both incalculably superior to the miserable failure currently posing as leader. We'd do much better if we just avoid male former cheer leaders, like G.W. Bush, Tom Delay, and Trent Lott. At the risk of oversimplification, just avoid Republicans until their Reagan-inspired infatuation with style over substance abates.

Catch 22, take 2

The US Army managed to discharge Private First Class Steven D. Green a month or so before he was indicted for murder and rape. The discharge was honorable, even though the reason was "severe personality disorder", which approximates to sociopath, a person with a "disregard for the consequences of their actions, and their lack of empathy with the suffering of others". Why wasn't this a dishonorable discharge? Wouldn't you think that the Army might warn people that something wasn't quite right with their former soldier? It looks disturbingly like the Army just wanted to move the problem along, ship him back home and out of the Army.

Catch 22 is the title of Heller's novel, which has become shorthand for the absurdity of any sanity tests in the Army. Briefly, anyone who could recognize their own craziness was sane enough to remain in the Army. With an all-volunteer force, the question is who would want to remain in the Army? Those who aren't on the front line, exposed to kill-or-be-killed conditions, might rationalize their re-enlistment. But how about those carrying guns through hostile neighborhoods? It's a situation custom made for "severe personality disorders" and to drive the borderline into full blown cases.

This issue threatens the public support for our soldiers more than anything else. Americans do not hold soldiers responsible for the dismal failures of politicians and diplomats. As in Vietnam, the reputation of the entire Army is at risk due to the actions of a few soldiers and the failure of their superiors to punish them and impose discipline. The Army reports that it is ahead of schedule in recruiting, in part because it has reduced its requirements. Fortunately for the Army recruiters, an estimated 3% of men have some sort of anti-social behavior.

The Education of George W. Bush

Even the mainstream press, perceptive but reluctant to bite hands, is now commenting on how Mr. Bush has changed. They won't settle on "matured", or "educated", or "tempered" because that would mean he was immature, ignorant, or intemperate. (The label "moderate" is insulting unless it's the opposition.) I'd say he's learned some painful lessons. His rhetoric has improved. He is less sweeping in his claims, less certain of his capability. Now, he says that solving the problems of North Korea and Iran will take time and international diplomacy, not simply them bowing to solely American pressure or force.

The painful lessons were taught mostly at the hands of the our two toughest foes: Iraqi insurgents and al-Qaeda terrorists. Osama bin Ladin remains "at large" and dangerous despite Bush's "dead or alive" sheriff talk of nearly 5 years ago. Maybe one day we'll get lucky with an airstrike and kill him instead of more innocents - Clinton's maligned cruise missile strike was as close as we've come. The Iraqi insurgency is a deeper and self-inflicted wound.

In the depths of the Vietnam war, around when LBJ decided against running for re-election, he developed a philosophical bent. In speeches, he posed rhetorical questions that revealed the uncertainties and complexities he was considering and trying to balance. He asked how a country could help another - and themselves - though the sacrifice be almost unbearable. These speeches are for an ally in a civil war what Lincoln's speeches are to a nation in a civil war - framing the moral and practical questions. We cannot expect any such clarity today. However, the parallels with Iraq, especially how the Iraqis themselves must take responsibility for their own country, are striking and ominous. The most depressing fact is that over half the American combat deaths occurred after Nixon replaced Johnson as president.

You can teach an old dog (Bush turned 60; ~10 dog-years) some new tricks but he'll still salivate to the bell. He reflexively claimed that our missile defense shield would've intercepted the North Korean missile, ignorant or ignoring the fact that these interceptors have rarely worked even under ideal conditions. This is $100 billion that could've been better spent, or saved. Maybe it could've helped educate the next generation, who will need it's wits to solve all the problems this "me" generation is leaving behind.

Rove Unraveling

As this administration's political strategist, Karl Rove has sounded the mantra over the past 6+ years that they don't poll or pay attention to polls. This posture was key to an image that W was his own man. Of course this was always ridiculous, but hey, as long as you are on top, who's going to argue? Certainly not the lap dog White House press corps, who seem to be auditioning for a position as a tough, probing host of Entertainment Tonight (Did Brittany buckle up her baby?).

Well, look who's talking now... “Rove said he based his confidence on a private poll done for the Republican National Committee”. "The polls I believe are the polls that get run through the RNC," Rove said. "I look at the polls all the time." [quotes].

But who cares anymore? Bush lies and people die. Rove lies and this country goes a little deeper into delusion. Comfortably numb, that's the ticket (for 2008).

Good News, Uncoded

What is the universally-accepted message of Jesus? This in not a trick question! You don't have to be a biblical scholar or a priest to know the answer. Jesus thought that children “got it”! He taught us to love one another (as He loved us). We are poor students, to be sure, but why make the lesson harder than it is?

Gnostics and their “modern” followers (da Vinci Code fanatics) claim that secret messages are coded in the Bible. This opinion was judged heretical by the earliest Christian church nearly 2,000 years ago for a simple reason – it doesn't fit the message or the Messenger. I liked the story in the Last Temptation of Christ because it dramatized His love of life and truly human fear of pain and death. The message of the “Code”, that the holy grail is not a cup but rather Jesus' pregnant wife Mary Magdeleine, is certainly provocative. Problem is, it is entirely inconsistent with the New Testament text and Jesus' message. Keep it simple, no conspiracy here.

The da Vinci Code - the movie - opens this weekend. Maybe it's good entertainment. Pass the popcorn and keep the Faith.

Staging Iran in '07

Cheney recently criticized Russia for not using its oil and gas reserves to support democracy. Cheney is a Big Oil lapdog who never thought of sacrifice when his money was on the table. Though common in politics, this administration seems to revel in such hypocrisy. Russia would be well advised to buy his silence by signing a few more contracts with Halliburton oilfield services. Dick will overlook any number of ethical issues for a cool million or so. But as craven as Dick is, I doubt that is the whole story.

Remember that Russia is key to any peaceful resolution of the Iran nuclear "crisis". Russia could help mediate a diplomatic solution by pressuring Iran for concessions and by not vetoing a resolution in the UN Security Council. Unfortunately, this administration sees no political gain in a diplomatic solution. Instead, they want to preclude any possibility of a unified front against the Iranians.

In related stories, Iran is being accused of bombing and sending guerrilla fighters into the Kurdish region of the former Iraq Although cross-border conflict is common in this area, watch for such actions to be emphasized as constituting another reason to attack Iran. This approach will focus on the rights of the Kurds. Meanwhile, credible reports place American special forces in Iran.

The administration chicken hawks assure themselves of their manliness by being the leaders of a nation at war. They desperately hope to resurrect -- or at least obscure the abject failure of -- their Bush League policy of peace-through-war. We have probably not yet seen the depths to which this failed administration will lead us.

Nixon: Looking Good by Comparison

Nixon opened Russia and China to US diplomacy. He extracted us from the Vietnam morass (never mind the details). He also strengthened environmental protection, improved human services, and prosecuted a more humane and successful fight against drugs. In fact, if you are able to overlook certain, well, let's call them indiscretions like criminally abusing the Constitution and committing war crimes, Nixon is one of our best presidents.

Although close associates (Kissinger, for one) report that Nixon was delusional before he resigned, at least he was willing and able to grapple with reality during most of his term. Contrast that with the current administration, which has never met a fact it didn't think it could spin. For these sub-urban cowboys, “realpolitik” is a funny word, probably French, that labels you (horrors) as a policy wonk.

Some members of this administration and their toadies were until recently absurdly talking about W as a candidate for one of the best presidents ever. You know the argument, “brought democracy to more people than anyone since...” then they were usually stumped because they don't know nothin' 'bout his-tor-y. Now, mired in Iraq and Afghanistan, with deficits mounting and the social fabric only a memory, most would agree that W will be sounding the bottom of the barrel of the worst presidents.

My Car, my Carapace

Cars outnumber people almost everywhere. Look out your window - car or house - and you will almost certainly see many more cars than pedestrians, bicyclists, etc. When we go for fast food, the line for drive-through is usually longer than the walk up counter. We spend more time behind the wheel than doing anything else besides sleeping, watching TV, and working. The average American spends a couple hours per day in a car. We are evolving physically and socially to be drivers.

Already, many drivers are more skilled in maneuvering their cars than they are in maneuvering themselves. Their body sense extends from bumper to bumper and fender to fender. They can park with inches to spare but they underestimate their own "spare tire". They might struggle to tie their shoes but they can change lanes effortlessly in heavy traffic at 70 mph with a deft maneuver while sipping a drink and talking on the phone. All in the comfort of a climate-controlled cabin with a comfy chair and on-demand music-video-phone-drink.

The car has become our carapace, a hard body covering - like an insect's shell. We use our shell to project (or compensate for) our personalities. Stereotypically, little guys drive big trucks, older guys buy quick sports cars, mothers drive powerful SUVs, dowdy girls buy frivolous cars. And for everyone, the car magnifies their strength, size, and speed enormously - you become a superhero on wheels!

After our home, our car is usually our highest cost possession. Our car may have a more comfortable seat and better entertainment center than our home. The seats are so comfortable - you could sleep. Heck, if a designer could figure out how to incorporate an acceptable toilet, and optionally, a shower, we would not have to leave our shell for days. There is already an average of about 1 car per American. Why not sell the house! Rent parking places for the family.

Soon, we will grow into our shells, exchanging them only in an occasional, cathartic metamorphosis. A crunchy covering over a soft filling (yum). Think Darth Vader when his armor was removed. Not a pretty sight.

Red, White, and... Green?

The sight of demonstrators waving the Mexican flag may actually galvanize the majority of Americans against some “liberal” immigration reform measures being debated in Congress. Hallelujah.

Rarely do the House Republicans make much sense. All the more reason to acknowledge the unusual event. The bill they passed would apply meaningful sanctions on employers who hire illegal immigrants. Maybe the representatives are listening (gasp!) to small business owners who do the right thing and hire Americans or legal immigrants. These employers have been undercut for years by employers who are willing to cut corners, flout the law, and exploit illegal immigrants. The Senate, on the other hand, is hosting an unholy alliance of politicians (redundant) in thrall of exploitative employers or a misguided subset of civil rights leaders.

Reform should be based on protecting American citizens, legal immigrants, and illegal immigrants. I think that can be accomplished by (1) punishing employers who hire illegal immigrants, (2) protecting the border, and (3) deporting illegals. Jobs bring the illegals into the country and displace legal job seekers, so employer sanctions are essential. Any meaningful reform must be based on real control of the border else it's just more hot air. Rewarding the illegal immigrants by legalizing their status would only encourage more illegal entry and frustrate those who try to immigrate legally.

Most developed countries in the world do not depend on dirt-poor immigrants for labor. Instead, they have living wages for cleaning, landscaping and other unskilled labor. Sure, their cost of living is high but their standard of living is higher still. Labor exploitation is a race to the bottom that almost all of us will lose. For example, look at construction, which was until recently a reasonably well paid job. Now the labor pool is dominated by illegals and the pay has plunged.

The debate should focus on real concerns instead of specious claims or scary stories. Some Catholic clergy (bless 'em) claim that provisions in the House bill against providing aid and comfort to the illegals will make it illegal to offer them soup or even say mass with them. It is obviously unlikely that any “good Samaritan” would be arrested. Also senseless is the claim that since we are a nation of immigrants, the illegals should be welcomed. The poor immigrants of 100+ years ago had practically no social services. Today, illegal immigrants cost local communities large amounts in services that are not recompensed through taxes.

It's great that Mexicans are proud and want to wave their flag. But why don't they want to contribute their efforts to improving their own country?

Buushism: George W. Bush is a Baathist

Saddam Hussein used the Baathist party to control the Iraqi economy and society. Baathism was styled after the European fascism of the mid-20th century, supporting nationalism and industrial cooperation (monopoly). Fascist politicians do the bidding of industrialists and money managers, usually to the detriment of small business owners and average citizens. Fascist politicians transfer state assets to cronies through favorable contracts. They love arms manufacturers. Meanwhile, they pander to the workers with populist rhetoric and a veneer of a "regular guy" image. They make frequent appeals to patriotism to distract and cover up incompetence and nepotism.

Hey, this sounds a lot like what's going on in Washington, D.C.! Defense contractors, most notably Halliburton, are given huge, no-bid contracts. Opponents are labeled unpatriotic or even treasonous. Nepotism? Dad and brothers Bush have a made politics a successful family enterprise (their only business success). Who knows, maybe with good campaign managers, Saddam's sons might have won election as governors of large states. It doesn't stop with the Bush clan. Colin Powell's son chaired the FCC and the brothers McClellan are White House communications director and (former) head of the FDA. It doesn't even stop with legally recognized relationships. Dr. Rice has referred to W as her husband!

This may seem, ahem, heretical? Perhaps this is because fascism deifies the state as a hand of god, with the president as god's representative, spokesman, and highest priest. This is also aspect of Bushism. People say that they have abiding faith in Bush, a faith that withstands all earthly fact. Bush thinks it is enough for him to anoint his appointees with his assurance that they are a "good man" or woman. Even Reagan said that one should trust but verify. (Though that was in reference to the USSR. Reagan's own administration had freelance, extra-constitutional operatives whom he praised even as he fired them, like Colonel Ollie North and Admiral Poindexter.) Bush reduces this to just "trust", which is an appeal to faith, not reason.

Obviously, the scale and consequences of disobedience and disagreement are different. Fascists often kill opponents and their families and even destroy their villages. These are executive powers that even Cheney would probably find overreactions (but worth keeping among the other executive privileges, like torture). But it is revealing that when Paul O'Neil resigned as Secretary of the Treasury, after seeing the behavior of this administration, up close, he said that he was freer to criticize because he was "rich and an old man". Ditto Richard Clarke. Both were characterized as nuts and dismissed. Would-be critics who are less established, younger, and less rich, be warned: it's just you against us and we will crush you. This approach is responsible for miring our armed forces in Iraq and burdening our children with historic debts. Meanwhile, the chosen few are doing very well, thank you.

It’s an odd truth that we tend become what we hate - and hate others for what we dislike most about ourselves. Spielberg's current movie 'Munich' shows how the secret agents who hunted down the murderers of the Israeli athletes developed some of their opponents' calloused inhumanity. Here is the real cycle of hate: project, personify, objectify, vilify, ... and emulate. All the more reason to avoid hating. So let's not hate Buushism, let's just reject it.

Is G. W. Bush a Baathist? Given the family's obsession with Hussein, it's either take a Baathist label or risk being labeled closet Saddamites.

God and me and you

Who is God? God is the Creator of all (that is seen and unseen). That said, I think He made us to challenge and entertain (delight, disappoint, exasperate, and probably boor) Him. Job certainly challenged Him, albeit deferentially. Job's fundamental question – why do the just suffer – seemed to anger Him, perhaps because He knew that His “answers” weren't very convincing. “Because I said so!” is a parental response and dissonant with the sense of justice He gave us. I like Jung's idea – that Jesus is God's Answer to Job. (I'm growing more skeptical of Jung's idea that Jesus had something to learn, as God, of the human condition.) The Answer is a retelling of God's parental love for us, assuming a form better suited for a more mature humanity.

The universe is challenging and entertaining for us. It is the mysteries that best hold our interest, like a closed door for a cat or just beyond any boundary for a kid. Even if apples were part of the daily diet in Eden, those on that one certain forbidden tree would still hold a special allure, an irresistible attraction for the first humans.

In response to our persistent questioning, maybe He creates alternate universes, one after the other, as needed, on the fly, out of His infinite inventiveness. Physicists confirm what our intuition tell us – that observation changes everything*. They tell us that some things are actually several (potential) things until they are observed, whereupon they resolve into one of the options. He is managing an awful lot of options!

We keep trying to figure it all (the universe) out. We see evanescent patterns and make little rules – but they are not His rules. Our rules become our little gods, our little idols, which we follow diligently until they prove unreliable. His omniscience and omnipotence keeps His ever new universe consistent over time, more or less, so that our world doesn't degrade into a relativistic nightmare. It seems a miracle. But maybe the consistency is simpler than we think. Maybe it simply stems from His constant love and consistent rule – that we love one another. Oh, and have no other gods before Him.

* Physicists boldly go one link further up the causal chain. Not only might a tree falling unobserved in the forest make no sound, it may not even have fallen until someone sees it on the ground (or still standing).

A Bush in the China Shop

Bush's trip to India and Pakistan is all about trying to counter China's influence. Oh, and acting as an unpaid traveling salesman for the nuclear power industry and weapons manufacturers. He will be successful for his corporate benefactors because that job is like selling drugs to addicts. The job he is paid for by the American taxpayers is much more difficult. Balancing China will require some long term thinking, so we'll count ourselves fortunate if this gang of Mayberry Machiavellis* arrives back home without having made things much worse.

There is no consistency in the administration's thinking (being charitable). They tell us that nukes in Iran are intolerable, nukes in India we've got to live with, nukes in Pakistan are ignored, nukes in Israel we just don't talk about, and nukes in North Korea we should apparently forget about. There are many obvious differences between these countries that could support a more rational, consistent policy. Left unspoken, but necessary for a truly consistent policy, is whether anything justifies the continued possession of so many (>10,000) nuclear weapons by the US. Please, let's be reasonable and leave any intellectual heavy lifting for the next administration**, hopefully a gang that can shoot straight (and not at friends).

* the gang formerly known as the neocons or their own favorite: vulcans. They wanted to sound tough and rough (if necessary), but think Barney Fife, Sheriff Andy's bumbling Deputy (memorably played by Don Knotts, who died recently at 81).
** Bush Sr. was US ambassador to China. Fortunately, Nixon and Kissenger ran the show from the White House else we might have gone to war over something (Tibet, anyone? Taiwan?). Consequently, Bush Jr. can probably say "my dad is the US ambassador" and maybe "where's the party?" in a couple Chinese dialects.

Incoherent Goals, Incompetent Management

Will the republic survive another 2+ years of this administration? They are zealots without a cause, managers without a clue.
Economy: Any hope of restraining Federal spending is now long past. Instead, the Federal Government has grown faster than ever. Comparisons to drunken sailors are unfair – to the sailors – because they are spending their own money. After inheriting a big surplus, the administration's promise of even halving their enormous debt by 2008 is delusional. Individually, in 2005 Americans spent more than they earned, a “negative savings rate” of -0.5%. In plain English, individual debt increased for the first time since the great depression. Once upon a time, anxious economic conservatives were ignored because “we owed our national debt to ourselves”. This fairy tale needs updating.
Education: see under: Testing. How can education, which is based on curiosity, have a hope when the country is “led” by such an incurious George? Likewise, the value of training, which is based on mastering “life skills”, is undermined when a Trust fund or a winning lottery ticket appear to be the most certain paths to success.
Security: After a wake-up call that even this administration couldn't ignore, their only genius was engaged. Their fear mongering has yielded enormous returns for their crony capitalists and political hacks. Now they're surprised that Americans are fearful of selling our ports to Arabs! (Dubai? Don't sell!) We need to be confident of the cargo allowed to enter the ports and we need plans to interdiction suspicious ships well out on the high seas. Screening cargo as it leaves the port is way too late. Sadly, Katrina has exposed the failure to plan for emergency. You can almost hear them testifying before the next Commission, “Nobody ever thought that terrorists would use ships to attack American ports.”
Iraq: The elected leaders cannot form a government. The leading clerics, who are keeping the country together, won't even meet with American representatives. God help them and our troops. According to the CIA, the most likely outcome remains a civil war. Will Turkey be destabilized by a incipient Kurdistan? There are worries enough for today. We'll leave this for the next administration (like Vietnam was left).
Middle East: We prescribe democracy for all trouble spots regardless of what ails them, unless the wrong candidates win. In Haiti, we forced the democratically elected President Aristide from office. In Venezuela, we have pressured and threatened the democratically elected President Hugo Chavez because of his socialist policies and refusal to kowtow to the US. We call for regime change in Iran, which has a functioning democracy. We pressure and threaten the newly-elected leaders of the Palestinians. The pattern is unmistakable and shameful.
Darfur: The administration happy talks about bringing the bounty of democracy and women's rights to Iraq. For a 0.1% of the cost, we could at least try to slow or stop the genocide, mass raping, and displacement of some of the poorest people on earth. Here, the administration defers to the Europeans. For some, this would reflect a genuine interest in cooperation. For this cabal of unlateralists, the translation is: we don't care.
Mexico: Is there any awareness in this administration of just how pervasive illegal immigrants are in this country? Senior Bush was ridiculed when he visited a grocery store and was amazed by the (amazing) scanners in the checkout. Junior Bush should visit Home Depot or Lowe's. Home improvement stores casually suggest “picking up a few Mexicans” for construction projects! What is the point of spending billions to control legal immigration if hordes of illegal immigrants pour into the country every day? How can less skilled Americans hope to find work when employers can pay much less to compliant illegals? (And may God bless them, too, but that is a topic for the future.)
Global Warming: Very few scientists doubt that man's activities have changed the atmosphere and will lead to even more dramatic changes in weather. This administration listens has blocked even baby steps to slowing the release of greenhouse gasses. The title of this website, antediluvian, seems all the more appropriate (but not prescient).
Space Exploration: This is a highly visible example of this administration's approach to the science and technology upon which our economic competitiveness is founded. They talk big about building stations on the moon and sending a manned mission to Mars. Meanwhile, “back on Earth”, there is no replacement for the aging and faltering shuttle fleet, which will be retired in the next few years. Money is drained from future programs to pay for retrofitting the remaining shuttles to keep them flying.

Is there even one ethical, moral, or practical principle guiding this administration?

Dick's Arrogance and Mortification

Dick Cheney is a bully. Bullies are cowards who fear, above all, embarrassment and ridicule. On a bird shoot last weekend, Dick met his worst enemy, and it was himself.

Dick made a career of talking tough but dodging the bullets. He could coordinate a campaign impugning John Kerry's Purple Hearts, earned in Vietnam. Dick got multiple deferments from that war -- which he supported from a safe distance -- and went on bluffing and bullying his way to become the Secretary of Defense. John Kerry has been at both ends of a gun, but for him, the wrong end was held by a mortal enemy, not a "blind" buddy. Dick never met the real enemy, so he has built a career by making enemies of his fellow Americans who happen to disagree with his big business cronyism.

Dick, what ethical concerns and simple decency could not do, your own blind bullying has accomplished. Don't hold you breath for another invitation to go shoot some birds.

NBC: NASCAR Beats (Olympic) Champions?!

What genius at NBC decided to show NASCAR "stock" car racing instead of the Olympics on Sunday afternoon? Let's review the facts of NASCAR vs. the Olympics:

• Who: A few fans anxious for the start of the interminable season vs. the World, but most importantly the many Americans wishing to see friends who aren't among the few spotlighted medal contenders!
• What: left hand turns, period, albeit at very high speed vs. sports you've never seen performed by people whose name and country may be unpronounceable. (Ok, maybe this one goes to NASCAR).
• When: nearly every week of the year (4 out of 5 weekends) vs. 2 weeks every 4 years (2%).
• Where: Contiguous US states only, mostly limited to the former Confederate States of America, vs. Global.

On the basis of sport or news, the Olympics should prevail. When most Americans know almost nothing about the world that we seek to dominate, this programming decision is irresponsible bordering on the criminal! NBC is licensed to broadcast in the public interest. If the FCC had any backbone, they would at least threaten to revoke NBC's license.

Ambrose Bierce had no idea how true his witticism would be 100 years later:

War is God's way of teaching Americans geography.

Shouldn't we at least have the decency to observe the natives at play before we invade? Who knows, it might even aid in post-war reconstruction planning (if we were to ever engage in it).

Torino, no?

Last nights' opening ceremony at the Turin Winter Olympics was bad even for a genre that tends to, well, Olympian heights of frenzied spectacle. It wasn't the worst*. But it was inexcusably formless and shallow for a country of almost unparalleled culture, taste, and history. People appeared to be literally climbing walls! And they were the participants! Ending with Pavarotti singing Nessun Dorma (nobody sleeps) is tired (see World Cup), sleepy tired, and it was way too late. This judge will give a 10 for fireworks but still only raises the final score to 2.

Note to planners – simply duplicating smaller acts to fill the venue never works. Study the recent Athens ceremony, where art and spectacle were merged beautifully on the requisite scale.

The centerpiece of these ceremonies is the parade of the athletes. Nothing can diminish the uplifting impression of so many countries represented by so many attractive, healthy young people smiling for the camera. This impression stills, however momentarily, the nagging sense that the Olympics has become a corporate tool, having evolved from a silly rich boy's fantasy. We can hope that it will continue to evolve.

*Americans take gold for the worst but that probably reflects our annual training at the Super Bowl. With the exception of Ali in Atlanta, never a memorable or moving moment.

Stones Rock Super Bowl XL

For the Super Bowl 40 halftime show, the Rolling Stones did it like nobody ever before. They actually made it seem like a concert instead of just the usual hurried stupidity. The band sounded good!

As Jagger mentioned, these guys could've played the halftime of the first Super Bowl! They are all in their 60's but move well. How do they still look so good when most bands half their age and one-percent as successful are fat, complacent slobs? The Stones are advertisements for debauchery, if you believe even a few of the stories. Still, it is fortunate there was no "wardrobe malfunction".

Pre- and post-9/11 Thinking

Karl Rove is right, the "Republicans have a post-9-11 worldview, and many Democrats have a pre-9-11 worldview”, but not in the way he meant. Many Democrats work to predict and prevent attacks while Republicans largely engage in posturing and cynically exploiting the national post traumatic stress for partisan gain. And yes, these Republicans are both unpatriotic and wrong.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40 (KJV)

Dr. King worked for justice, most famously and successfully in the struggle for civil rights in the USA. Before he was killed, he was expanding the effort to help poor whites as well as blacks. He was connecting the Christian message of mercy with the circumstances in America and abroad. He spoke out against the US involvement in Vietnam. He challenged the comfortable cooperation of many mainstream Christian churches with imperial, capitalist America. He was threatening to throw the money changers out of the temple.

On the night before he died, he made a speech in which he seems to have prophesied his own death. Close associates wondered whether he had a premonition. He summarized an inspired survey of history by saying that this, now was his time. He concluded the brilliant speech with this:

"Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me togo up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

Who could read or hear this without a thrill and a sadness, strangely mixed? He echoes Christ's plea and submission to God in the Garden of Gethsemane, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Matt. 26:39. They were young men, only in their 30's, but both were threats to the state. The Romans did their killing in public. Pontius Pilot even tried to wash his hands of the proceedings in public. We Americans count on lone gunmen to do the job, so a quick rinse will do, in private.

It is no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence in this world; it's nonviolence or nonexistence. MLK, Memphis, April 3, 1968, last public speech.

Education: it's cheaper than ignorance

In most areas of government we happily throw money at problems. Too much traffic? Spend $700 billion on roads! Moribund manned space program? Buy a trip to Mars! Afraid of a flu pandemic? Spend $7 billion looking for a vaccine! Worried about missiles? Blow $100 billion on “Star Wars”. It's only in education where we appreciate the simpler pleasures of working harder and doing more with less.

Situationally frugal politicians often cite the failure of money to make a difference in some, consequently infamous, instances (read: Washington DC public schools). Since when did failure discredit anything in the eyes of politicians? We spend enormous amounts on the roads every year and traffic worsens every year but we still spend more every year. We simply accept that it might be even worse if we didn't. More importantly, they ignore the overwhelming majority of the cases where money is correlated with success. Of course, nothing will succeed like an involved parent or guardian. But does anyone seriously doubt that reducing the student-to-teacher ratio would help?

Even the US Chamber of Commerce, not a particularly progressive organization, is now alarmed at the state of education in the US. They'd rather continue to simply import and hire well-educated foreigners, but the Congress is threatening to limit these visas. If we hope to educate workers born in the USA, then we better do more than just test them. Maybe we should invest in our futures and put our money where our hopes are.