There are some points of agreement. For example, I agree with the fact that America has been overextended, and I think there's been a disproportionate amount of emphasis on two small countries in the Gulf Region which, by themselves, do not constitute the same type of threat, say, that nuclear powers China and Russia present. Second, I think that the nature of terrorism constitutes a qualitative different type of threat and rapid development of catastrophic weapons and instant modes of communication make the need for proactive action and improved information gathering and sharing a necessity.
I have nuanced differences with Obama on some aspects of terrorism. For instance, I'm very concerned about state sponsors of terrorism, not unlike how the Taliban protected Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. I am also concerned with militant breeding grounds in the western part of Pakistan which is not fully under the control of the Pakistan government and Iranian efforts to spread destabilization in Iraq and the Middle East in Lebanon and Palestinian territories. Obama seems to be unduly focused on Al Qaeda and trying to discredit its underlying religious fundamentalism; there are a number of differing types of terrorism, including secular causes (e.g., radical environmentalism).
My biggest concerns are with the new international order:
The international order we seek is one that can resolve the challenges of our times -- countering violent extremism and insurgency; stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and securing nuclear materials; combating a changing climate and sustaining global growth; helping countries feed themselves and care for their sick; preventing conflict and healing wounds.In essence, we are seeing an expansion of the concept of positive rights applied to a nation-based unit of analysis. To its logical conclusion, the US, as the leading economic power, would be expected to subsidize other nations. This raises the concept of moral hazard to the national level. To give a relevant example, North Korea spends a disproportionate amount of its meager resources to maintain a large army, even though there have not been hostilities on the Korean peninsula in over 50 years. More to the point, Obama's analysis fails to adequately consider the fact that nations are motivated by their self-interests, and despite his best efforts at international rhetoric and a Nobel peace prize, he has very little to show in terms of influencing rogue nation behavior (e.g., North Korea and Iran) or convincing other nations to join in, say, the Afghanistan surge policy.
Whereas I would prefer to see us disentangle ourselves from convoluted structure of alliances and bilateral relationships, Obama wants to expand those relationships on new grounds. We need look no further than the effects of Greece's fiscal problems on the euro.
The Sestak Kerfuffle
The question is whether the White House essentially tried to clear the field against its favored candidacy, former Republican Arlen Specter, by essentially promising Sestak (D-PA) a high-profile appointment in the administration. I personally think the issue is more with Joe Sestak whom has repeatedly refused to disclose the exact nature of his allegation. Most speculation focuses on the retired admiral possibly being named Secretary of the Navy as a quid pro quo.
I agree with George Will: this is much ado about nothing. If Republican John McHugh of the infamous NY-23 was asked to be Secretary of the Army, why not a former admiral to be Secretary of the Navy? In fact, Sestak could have easily refiled for a third term this fall as Congressman and for most of the campaign trailed the more moderate Specter in the polls.
Political Cartoon
Eric Allie shows Obama on his boat, the Katrina II. He was relying on the BP oil booms to absorb all the blame for the oil leak and keep it from spreading to the White House.No word yet on whether he has succeeded in renaming the San Andreas Fault George W. Bush's Fault.
Quote of the Day
If there is one thing upon this earth that mankind love and admire better than another, it is a brave man,-- it is the man who dares to look the devil in the face and tell him he is a devil.
James A. Garfield
Musical Interlude: The AFI Music Top 100 (continued)
#37. "Swinging on a Star"
#38. "Theme from Shaft"
#39. "The Days of Wine and Roses"
#40. "Fight the Power"
