Political Theatre category archive
Comment Rescue 0
It’s my comment and I like it. It’s my blog. I’m allowed.
Libertarianism is an elegant and simple theory which explains political behavior in much the same way as phlogiston explains combustion.
A Picture Is Worth . . . 0
Check out this proposed Pennsylvania congressional district.
Candidate Gift Ideas 0
See the suggestions here.
Iraq Coda 0
The attempts of the US administration to put the best face possible on the withdrawal from Iraq does not hide the crucial fact that the Great and Glorious Patriotic War for a Lie in Iraq has
- done nothing to further peace and stability in the Middle East or in the world as a whole,
- failed to find the weapons of mass destruction that the Bush administration sold as a reason for war, because they never existed, and
- increased the stature of Iran as a Middle Eastern power.
The proximate cause of the end was rooted the Iraq Withdrawal Agreement negotiated by the President George the Worst and the Iraq government in 2006 and 2007; the deadline had arrived.
Asia Times summarizes how the this came about. Here’s a snippet from a lengthy exploration of the events:
A central element of the Maliki-Iran strategy was the common interest that Maliki, Iran and anti-American Shi’ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr shared in ending the US occupation, despite their differences over other issues.al-Sadr shared in ending the US occupation, despite their differences over other issues.
I have no doubt that the Bush administration expected the Iraqi government to be much more malleable than it turned out to be, its having been, after all, an American creation.
No doubt some will try to use the timing of the withdrawal, coming under President Obama, to start a “Who lost China” who-shot-John.
Nevertheless, the prints, indeed, the DNA of President Bush and his circle pervades The Great and Glorious Patriotic War for a Lie, from its conception in arrogance, through its promotion with deceipt and its pursuit with incompetence, to its conclusion in confusion.
The Lowe Down 0
Dis Coarse Discourse 0
Writing at Psychology Today, Douglas LaBier considers the indications that our political discussion has left reality far behind.
- From the left, President Obama is attacked for not achieving and pushing for a more progressive agenda, despite a range of accomplishments that he’s achieved. But the greater insanity is that he’s operating with the new “requirement” instituted by Republicans: That every piece of legislation must now be able to overcome a filibuster threat, rather than be hammered out through compromise and then subjected to a majority vote.
- On the right, the Republican/Tea Party vilifies Obama’s “socialist,” “anti-American” or — in Newt Gingrich’s description — “Kenyan, anti-colonialist” agenda, despite an ironic reality to the contrary: President Obama’s policies and behavior are much closer to those of a moderate Republican of yore; the kind that doesn’t exist anymore.
- Then there’s the ongoing clown show — Republican presidential hopefuls who argue for returning to policies that — as data show — have created the economic mess we’re now in. Moreover, they try to outdo each other to embrace anti-science, anti-knowledge positions, whether about climate change or evolution; and they vocally embrace anti-human rights positions when those rights concern gays and lesbians.
He goes on to cite some faint positive signs. Follow the link to read them and decide whether you consider them significant.
Verdict First, Trial Later 0
Daniel Ellsberg comments on the persecution of Bradley Manning.
This is one area in President Obama is charting the wrong course.
TSA Security Theatre 0
Now showing, Thoreau’s Unqualified Offerings.
Living History 3
The racism is never far from the surface, is it?
“I’m not a bad person,” Jamie Hein told ABC News Thursday. “I don’t have any problem with race at all. It’s a historical sign.”
A relative of a tenant, who has since moved in reaction, visited the pool. Then the sign went up.
I think that’s enough history.
Aside:
I have known a number of good persons who think of themselves as bad, or, at least, as not good enough.
I have never known bad persons who thought of themselves as bad persons.
The Phony War on Christmas 0
Nothing says “Christmas” like an AK-47.
The Colbert Report
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Takes One To Know One 0
Listen to one callow opportunist talk about another callow opportunist.
Absence of Malice 0
There’s not enough hate on television.
The Florida Family Association wants to remedy that.
Meanwhile, on aisle five:
Anniversaries 0
Garrison Keillor* is on the radio telling me that this is the anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights, honored by today by its abrogation.
Afterthought:
I don’t want to hear whiny lefties blaming the President. He didn’t have the votes to sustain a veto.
A lot of lefties really need to grow up and live in the real world.
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*I did not turn on the radio. Frankly, the old boy’s gone stale.