| The Other Side of Operation Enduring Freedom |
[Nov. 24th, 2004|06:51 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  aggravated | ] |
Like many Americans, I have deep reservations about the use of force to topple a foreign government. But when I read about the atrocities that Saddam Husein's regime committed, I find condemning any action that rid the world of this monster difficult. If America is the 800 pound gorilla of the world, isn't it a good thing if we use that weight to make a positive change?
Here is a story getting little play in the mainstream press:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,135652,00.html
I also find it odd that Americans are so willing to overlook the horrors in Sudan. The myopic perspective of the American left and right are equally frustrating:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,134928,00.html |
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| Done in by "the Architect" |
[Nov. 8th, 2004|01:57 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  pensive | ] |
In the wake of the catastrophic defeat of the Democratic party, I find myself in a mood for reflections and wonder. For the last two years I've watched a Presidency in turrmoil, a platform built on the premise of "We Believe" that constantly flounders on those self-proclaimed ideals. An administration that speaks of honor and integrity but has visciously attacked the charater of those most loyal to it. A Presidency that will not broach any discension within its ranks, alienating those noble spirits who even those of us on the other side of the aisle have supported, such as Colin Powell and John McCain. A Presidency that took a war that had over 80 percent approval, a seemingly noble cause in the overthrow of a tyrant, madman, and genocidal maniac, and turned it into an absolute disaster.
A Presidency that carried not only itself but control of both houses of Congress in the election.
Karl Rove is a political savant.
"The Architect" as President Bush has dubbed him did the impossible: he took a floundering administration, pressed at its weakest, and turned it into a political juggernaut. And he did it by letting it fail.
The pivotal issue in this election was not the war in Iraq or the economy. Gay Marriage and Civil unions turned the tide. Gavin Newsome, Mayor of SF, and the Supreme Court of Massachusettes horribly miscaluculated the readiness of the country to accept this issue. Instead of being patient and political-- biding time and building a common understanding that might eventually lead to gradual reform, Newesome and the Justices decided to swing for the fences. They struck out.
Although the Bush administration was not strong on the issue, Conservatives in 11 key states managed to get "Protection of Marriage" acts on the ballot. Conservatives and many moderates were so put off by the actions in SF and Mass. that they flocked to the polls and in every single state (even Oregon) the measures passed. Gay rights took a huge step backwards as altering a state constitution is going to make civil unions a daunting task to acheive in our lifetime. While at the polls, many of these conservatives also weighed in for President. Small wonder who they would side with: the Evangelic President over the East-Coast Liberal.
The final push of the administration was the one that fooled me the most. When President Bush waivered on the issue of Gay marriage just a week before the election, I was convinced he had just sunk his chances for re-election. How could he be so stupid? Therein lies the genius of Rove. By having the President appear weak on Gay marriage, by forcing a poorly timed and planned "Protection of Marriage" Act which failed quite publically in Congress, conservatives turned to their local government for protection, fearing the Federal government was incapable of protecting them. They came in record numbers. They voted for President Bush anyways. Game. Set. Match. |
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