South by Southwest: At times there is nothing more to add -

Friday, October 13, 2006

At times there is nothing more to add -

Sometimes a current event item has been wrung dry by blog commentators. But there are times when readers visit a blog just to find out the author's opinion about the "current buzz." So, for whatever it is worth, I suppose I should share some thoughts about the following "noise of the week" stories in the news.

Buzz bodes well for Democrats - About the Foley scandal, the elections and Bush's support for Hastert: former representative Foley may have been cagey enough to not get caught for child abuse, but he must always be faulted for exploiting the power differential between himself and pages who are technically of age. Such sexual situations are never consensually equal, in the same manner as exploitation by doctors, ministers, bosses, etc. Voters somehow know this, and may punish candidates they feel have been immune to observing those basic values. This includes Speaker Hastert, because the buck indeed stops at his desk. And our current president's support is not particularly useful at anyone running for office in 2006.

Ignoring power-hungry nations backfires - About North Korean sanctions: when the Bush administration decided to turn its diplomatic back on blustering nations such as Iran, Palestine and North Korea, it inevitably had unintended consequences. Turning our backs on those leaders has been counterproductive. Because our diplomatic efforts at the UN are led by John Bolton, we are not perceived as understanding international relations, and have forfeited our effective leadership role. The Pacific rim nations will deal with North Korea in their own ways, no matter what we say.

Brit's army guy should inspire more speaking out by U.S. military - About the United Kingdom Army chief's views on Iraq pullout: Both PM Tony Blair and our current president are pretty much in lame duck status. The Iraq war cannot now be settled by military means. But military minds often can be politically realistic, if left alone. The military leaders are those in most contact with Iraq's government. The generals surely have developed a collective measure of their Iraqi partners' capacities. Every time I hear leading generals testify, speak at press conferences or write letters, I wish they had Rumsfeld's and Blair's ears. They and the president ignore such wise council at the great peril of Great Britain, the U.S and of Iraq.

The record-breaking week that was - About current all time highs and lows - thoughts regarding the lowest oil prices of the year, a household debt high, the stock market's new high, and the record U.S. trade deficit: I feel very much out of step. Growing up on a farm during the depression and WW-II instilled certain very quaint financial values in many of us: put something (off the top) in savings and minimize household debt; don't consume your seed corn or pump the well dry; put assets in your home (and then in the bank) as equities are not guaranteed; and buy USA or local because foreign goods are inferior. I'll admit it; my financial rules are absolutely antiquated.