Oops...

Obama has taken quite a thoughtful approach in assembling his cabinet, with one worrying exception - appointing Hillary Clinton his Secretary of State. Wow, this is a major mistake as she has been campaigning against him for months and it is squarely in her interest for his government to fail.

What might this bizarre gesture mean? What might have prompted him to take this unlovely step? These questions have preoccupied me for a while now, and I have no answers. But I will share with you the possible answers which occur to me:

1. This was the price of her (and Bill's) endorsement;
2. He reckons that you should keep your enemies close; or,
3. Obama plans to use this appointment to somehow tarnish Hillary.

The first two seem to me to be the most likely as Obama seems too decent a man to conspire to damage Hillary in such a fashion. It is also possible, I suppose, that the great and the good demanded she be offered such a sop.

I suppose we shall see what happens in the fullness of time, but this appointment must be of concern to those who campaigned against the former First Lady and saw her ruthlessness up close.

Thank You and Good Night...

Although I was many miles from shore, snuggled under me little blanket and sipping a warming jug of rum, I felt a marvellous sense of connection with the decent-thinking people of the world when I heard that an Iraqi television reporter had hurled his shoes at President Bush. I suspect that a little chuckle erupted from many millions of people when they heard about or saw the incident. Muntadar al-Zeidi lost a pair of shoes, but gained world-wide fame in a splendidly surreal act of defiance and protest. I am informed that in the Arab world to throw one's shoes is a most insulting gesture. "This is a farewell kiss, you dog," he yelled in Arabic. "This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq." Many would regard this as quite a polite response to Bush's war-mongering.

In an extraordinary twist it was revealed that the shoes were a size 10 or, roughly, the President's I.Q. - and the highest number he can count to without help from "Gunner" Cheney.

Yet again, this bungling President presents us with a story which would be hilarious were it not for all the dead Iraqi children. However, it is nice to note that this Pres would not allow the tragedy which underlies al-Zeidi's protest prevent him from making jokes about the incident at every opportunity. My impression is that he was genuinely amused by this poor man's frustration and anguish.

On the topic of bungling, where were the Secret Service during this attack? This TV newsman managed to throw both shoes at the President, who would have been hit had he not ducked. For all their prancing about and grimacing it seems that the Secret Service are as inept as their military brethren. I mean the President was in Iraq, for God's sake! Did they not think that he might need to be protected, considering that he is responsible for killing many thousands of Iraqi civilians? Supposing it was something more serious than a shoe - something which might have truly harmed the Great Leader, a TV camera or a microphone stand (both in plentiful supply on the day)? Obviously Bush is immune from brain-damage but he could have been hurt quite badly had the attacker intended to harm him.

One wonders on how many more occasions "W" will need to duck during the coming years. Certainly, he will need to be careful about foreign travel, lest he might find himself facing a War Crimes tribunal. Wouldn't that be a pity.

Under New Management...

So, the battle is over and the best man has won. The Democrats are set to get another crack at government in January - and their man will be playing to a home-crowd in Congress. This clear-cut victory for Obama gives him considerable currency in terms of popular support and buys him a bit of time to find his feet and get things done. With America in crisis it is important that he gets things right - people don't want instant change or even very fast change. They want lasting change for the better, and they are willing to allow him the time to effect this.

As Obama intelligently assembles his government-in-waiting, the world will hold its collective breath in the hope that Dubya doesn't crown his incumbency by starting another war or doing something monumentally stupid with his remaining months at the helm. Bush has for a long time been playing exclusively to his supporters so he cares not a jot what the wider America thinks of him. As his approval ratings are lower than Nixon's at the time of the Watergate revelations it seems unlikely that he will find a way to fix his legacy. When we think of him we will think of the crises he has created in the world and the catastrophic mess he leaves behind.

One of the most disturbing aspects of the Bush years was the racist undertones which peeped-out from beneath his awful governance. Do you think what he did in Iraq would have been so widely supported (at the beginning anyway) if the tens of thousands of dead children were white-skinned, blonde-haired and blue-eyed? The implicit notion that non-white civilians are of lesser importance than their caucasian counterparts is sickening and very much a feature of Bush's foreign-policy. The fact that many of the US servicemen who died were also dark-skinned probably doesn't cost "W" much sleep either - they are drawn from America's poor. The poor have always gone to war on behalf of the wealthy.

Another amazing revelation of the Bush incumbency is how utterly unprofessional and useless the US military is. Although they have been in-country for several years and benefit from the mightiest military machine in history they have been defeated by civilian "insurgents." And don't be fooled by this nonsense of "foreign combatants" and "terrorists" in Iraq - oh, they are there all right, because the inept occupying force failed to contain Iraq's borders. But it is very much the case that a large proportion of anti-American attacks are launched by those who have lost family and friends due to America's savage pre-invasion bombing campaign and the senseless widespread slaughter of civilians which continues under American occupation.

And into this mess marches poor Obama. He seems like a decent man, a man of faith, courage and conviction - he will need all three if he is to re-assemble the broken vase of US international relations.

Ironically we have Sarah Palin to thank for Obama's clear-cut victory. The GOP's folly of believing that disgruntled female Dems would vote for any female candidate has been revealed in all its glory. And poor old Hillary's efforts to secure McCain the Presidency have come to naught. Between them, these two women have schemed, screeched and mud-slung Obama right into the oval office. No doubt Palin will be looking to 2012 and the prospect of a ticket in her own name. The question facing the Republicans then would be: who could be her running mate? It would need to be a political heavyweight, but someone who would not make her appear dumb. Now, there's a tall order.

The Lights Are On But There's Nobody Home...

As polling-day approaches and McCain's ratings plummet it is disturbing to see how happy the GOP contenders are to resort to personal attacks and gutter-campaigning. But Palin's screechy reference to Obama's relationship with a man who engaged in violent protest against the Vietnam war really brings things to a new low. The fact that the man in question is now a university professor and that Obama was eight years old when these protests took place did not deter her from accusing him of consorting with "domestic terrorists." One hopes that fair-minded Republicans will be appalled by this - but one suspects that many will revel in the sleazy mud-slinging.

However, I imagine that the effects of this bizarre and unfair attack will be more pronounced when it comes to Democrats who are thinking of voting for McCain/Palin (and remember, this is what Hillary was campaigning for when she continued to go for the neck long after her campaign had failed). Whether or not it deters the "McCain Democrats" entirely it will certainly illustrate for them the sort of people they are contemplating getting into bed with.

And what sort is that? My impression is that they are empty people - people without passion, without ideas and without anything real to contribute. They are at their strongest when lashing out. By themselves they are a bland mix of hatred, spite and ignorance.

McCain certainly has displayed bravery and fortitude during his life, though he seems lesser somehow for blowing his own trumpet at the GOP convention. Speaker after speaker made reference to his wartime bravery, which is fine as it makes for a good story which tells us much about the man. But when he spoke he too referred to his bravery, rendering it somehow null by saying it himself. Whatever he once was, he appears to have become something else entirely. And it's not a bit nice.

Palin comes across as an over-excited hick who sees the starry lights of power and celebrity just over the hill. With her you get a sense that she is trying to keep a lid on the darker aspects of her world-view. I think that she would be a grave danger to the world should she ever assume a position of power, and with McCain being 72 that is well within the limits of believability. During the V.P. debate she made an interesting slip. When referring to McCain, she said that he was the man we want "to leave us" before quickly correcting herself by saying "to lead us." Freud would have loved her. In fact, no he wouldn't. He would have disliked her immensely.

The big question is what will happen if this pair win in November. The terrible answer is that there is no way of knowing how far they will go in pursuing Bush's legacy of hatred and war.

God help us all.

Fair Is Fair...

Well, yesterday's debate between Obama and McCain provided one or two surprises. Although neither candidate seemed comfortable with the moderator's attempts to encourage them to speak directly to each other, both carried themselves well and spoke convincingly of their beliefs and policies. McCain did far better than I had expected, in fact I think that he may have slightly outperformed Obama on a number of occasions.

My impression was that this event showed McCain at his best and Obama at not quite his most persuasive and articulate. He will need to up his game if McCain continues to do as well as this.

The big question is how Sarah Palin will fare in the Veep debate. If she reveals herself as the shallow and shrill conservative gun nut that many think her to be, then she could lose the election for them. It will be problematic for McCain if she fails to charm the undecided, and maybe seduce a few Dems. It will be fatal if she fails to impress Republicans. It seems that her approval among even GOP loyalists has been on a downhill slope since she was introduced to the country during convention week.

Thursday night's debate should make for compelling viewing, whatever happens.

Bad Choices and Too Much Make-Up...

As the world money markets have descended into turmoil and politicians of every hue have busied themselves with the task of appearing to be doing something, it has been a period of great calm out here on the briney. Tonight the seas are calm and the wind is balmy and easy on the rigging. The old tug is as close to shore as needs be, just near enough to pick up some of the news channels on me old telly. The wireless usually does me well enough, but tonight is the first of the U.S. Presidential debates -- and it is better to be able to see as well as hear when trying to get a man's measure. Poor old McCain tried to back out of the debate, citing the financial crisis, but now seems to be back in the game. This mis-step is just the latest mistake in a long sequence of errors, methinks. Politicians in America generally don't face much in the way of scrutiny, for the press fear that too aggressive a stance might lose them their access, and the public don't get anywhere near those who presume to lead them. I get a sense that McCain fears the debate as he knows that he will appear slow and inarticulate next to Obama - but even more than this, the GOP know that Sarah Palin is unlikely to stand-up well to a debate with a seasoned campaigner like Joe Biden.

Which brings me to a question that has perplexed me for a number of weeks: What were they thinking when the Republicans selected Sarah Palin as McCain's running-mate? I recall her speech at the recent party conference. She seemed shallow, inexperienced and quite shrill. My guess is that the GOP reckoned that a lot of pro-Hillery Dems would vote for the McCain/Palin ticket as they feel cheated by Obama's victory (all a part of Clinton's campaigm for a McCain Presidency!) and another woman will capture their votes. However, I suspect that she has won over only seasoned Republicans. She is not impressive at the podium, she seems to have a limited grasp of the broader political spectrum, and I doubt if she will attract many Dems.

As I conclude this post the debate is beginning -- so, let's see what's what. And who's what too, perhaps.

U.S.S.A.

After decades of aggression towards the old communist bloc countries and relentless preaching about the joys of the free market, it seems that the Comrades in Washington have turned tail and appropriated the ways of the much maligned centrally-planned economic models they used to poo-poo.

Although pretty much everyone on Earth knew (apart from the highly-paid financial money-managers of course) that the residential property market was going to go into freefall and that a deep recession loomed, the financial institutions failed to take steps to prepare for what was to come.

In a truly free market they would be forced to accept the consequences of their ineptitude. But not to worry - they don't need to face-up to the stresses of the market, as they operate in the USSA (Union of Soviet Socialist America), and the government will intervene and save them.

Power to the people!

One wonders whether they will replace the Stars and Stripes with the old Soviet red flag? But the Hammer and Sickle would not really be an appropriate emblem. Hmm...hey, how about using the Red Flag, but replacing the Hammer and Sickle with the image of a dead Iraqi child? They have tens of thousands to choose from, and it would play very well in the Bible Belt, where Bush is very popular and their Christian principles extend to genocide and racial hatred.

Again, power to the people!

As America slides into a Soviet-style police-state, it is interesting to see the Comrades in Washington taking more and more control of the "free" market and intervening to save some companies. But while they act to place the financial institutions under state control, they are simultaneously attempting to privatise America's armed-forces.

One more time, power to the people!

A thought strikes me. I wonder if the Comrades on Wall Street who are benefiting from state intervention are in any way related to the Comrades who earn millions from private security work for the US military (i.e. mercenaries)? Wouldn't it be a magnificent gesture to the hard-working tax-payer if it turned out that they are all supporters of The Great Brain in the White House? Just think how reassuring that would be to a hard-working family who have lost their home.

On reflection, it seems that America really is appropriating the old Soviet approach: All men are equal. But some are more equal than others!

Last time, Power to the people!

President Obama, I presume(d)...

It seems that Hillary Clinton will fight to the bitter end in her battle against Barak Obama for the Democratic candidacy. It appears certain that Obama will get the nod, prompting one to ask why she refuses to step-back and give the Illinois Senator a decent run at the prize. At this stage all she can do is harm his chances, and feed ammunition to the GOP. Indeed, it may be the case that McCain will claim the Presidency simply by keeping his head down and letting the two Democrats tear each other to shreds - whichever one becomes the official Democrat candidate, they will be so badly damaged that he might just have an easy win.

The problem for Democrats is that supporters of Clinton and Obama will be disinclined to vote for "the other guy" - indeed, many may vote for McCain or just stay home on election day. Things have gotten so nasty (largely due to Hillary's dirty campaigning) that a joint ticket seems highly improbable. So, the Republicans face an already split opposition and a pre-weakened candidate. Not good. Unless you're John McCain.

But back to the whys. Why has Hillary not stepped-out of the race? Why has she resorted to such dirty campaigning, fueled by character-assassination and with unmistakable racial overtones?

Could it be that La Clinton would rather see McCain claim victory and have another run at it in 2012? Certainly, she wont have much currency if she tries to usurp a popular President Obama.

The tragedy for Democrats is that, after eight years of Brains in the White House, America is primed for a Democrat incumbent - but they are doing themselves out of the prize.

I suppose there is still time for one or two surprises - as Margaret Thatcher discovered, a week is a long time in politics.

Time to Boycott the Great Revolution

China seems set on its dastardly course of repression and violence in Tibet. Worse than the Chinese hard line is the Chinese hard neck - for they are blaming the Dalai Lama for the violence! Not only are they visiting terrible violence on protestors, they are blaming the victims for the aggression. This underscores the point that so many seem to miss: China does not care a whit what you or I think of their policies, nor do they fear the opprobrium of world leaders. They are exclusively concerned with the way these events are portrayed to their own people. Recent history has shown that no other nation has the stomach to challenge them in any meaningful way - even that great friend of freedom, George W. Bush seems unconcerned about freedom or democracy for the Chinese people. The west has adopted a policy of engagement (i.e. trade) with this enormous and powerful nation, confining any expression of disapproval to mutters and weak statements. The sad truth is that China has won the (not especially) cold war - it thrives whilst the west wrings its hands.

Isn't it time that the people of the world stood up for the oppressed citizens of China? If we demanded that our leaders boycott the Olympic Games, and if we stay away in our thousands, we will give the Chinese authorities a story that they cannot reasonably "spin" to their people. And such an expression of people power could only be viewed with alarm by those who preach the beneifts of revolution whilst imprisoning people for having the temerity to speak their mind!

People Who Live In Glass Houses...

And so the Bush administration coasts along on fumes as the US turns its thoughts to who will next occupy the White House. It was fascinating to see the recent meeting between the Republican candidate, John McCain, and Deep Thought. McCain kept the great man waiting and seemed at pains not to appear too friendly. It may be that he wanted the endorsement and the votes of the numbskulls who thought Bush was doing a great job and re-elected him, but didn't want to alienate those voters who are likely to vote GOP but don't like "W". I suspect that the car which drove McCain away from the White House had no rear-view mirror. I further suspect that one of the most entertaining side-shows next November will be the efforts of the Republican Party to keep "Brains" as far away from the candidate as possible. He long ago shifted from being an embarrasment to being a liability.

Meanwhile the Democrats are trying in vain to keep the Obama/Hillery contest polite. Despite calls for a debate on the issues, free from personal rancour, matters such as race and record are continually floating to the surface. Much of the trouble has been caused by supporters and campaign staffers - the two candidates regularly find themselves in the difficult position of having to distance themselves from long-time associates. This week, Obama had to cut his ties with his pastor, a man with whom he had a twenty-year assocation - the man who had married the Senator and baptised his children. Ouch.

Hillery, looking more desperate by the day, continues to suggest that Obama just isn't ready for the responsibilities of the Presidency. And she seems likely to fight to the bitter end. Even if she fails to win the majority of delegates, it is still possible for her to get the nod, for tactical reasons. Were this to happen, we could see war within Democrat ranks, with Obama supporters crying foul. The question on everybody's mind is whether the party will be able to heal the scars of this contest and consolidate support for the eventual victor? As the battle between Hillery and Obama gets nasty and mired in personal ire, it seems less likely that the final round of this game will be Happy Families!