News – Catching up with Clark (1/2)

New guy in the field, so we have to catch him up with the rest in terms of analysis. I’m sure Slate will have several more additions soon.

US

Wesley Clark is the new democrat on the scene, so Slate has been doing a running catch up for him in the various ballot box articles that lay out their details.

The Profile of Wesley Clark

The Agenda of Wesley Clark: Internationalized foreign policy, more or less reversing the Bush Administration’s state of ‘our interests first, foremost and only’ policy. Targeted stimulus that focuses on those in need and small businesses and investment in human potential.

Wesley Clark’s Foreign Policy Instincts: He’s used the strongest language against Bush’s Iraq war, but concludes that resolve is needed to finish what shouldn’t have been started. He has suggested high and clear standards for justifying pre-emptive war and support for the International Criminal Court.

The Hummer driving Arnold says he will promote hydrogen fueled cars and solar energy. Honest desire or campaign show? You decide.

The Flip Flops of Dennis Kuncinich: First his flip flop on abortion, which seems more a shift toward pro-choice upon reflection. Second is his dealing with the Clinton Impeachment issue, though it seems Slate made a correction to it that shifts the context quite a bit.

The Flip Flops of Joseph Leiberman: Firstly is Lieberman’s apparent shift on affirmative action, from con to quasi-pro after Gore took him on as VP nominee. Second is his support for domestic rights equality of gay and lesbian couples.

Iraq

A suicide bomber has targeted the UN HQ in Baghdad again. Having it attacked twice, I would suggest it is no target of opportunity and some elements in Iraq are trying to send a clear message that they want all foreigners out. One security guard was killed in the blast, 17 wounded.

Bush is going to tell the UN he did the right thing. He can say it all he wants, but until someone respected says it, some aren’t going to buy into it.

Bush said he would tell the U.N. that despite differences over the use of force in Iraq, members should cooperate on major global challenges including the rebuilding of Iraq and Afghanistan as well AIDS, hunger, sex slavery and weapons proliferation.

“Let’s work together on big issues,” he said.

Ren Translation: Let’s get together so you can help fund and finish cleaning the mess I started. You should do this because its right, despite that I ran off on my own and did what I wanted and don’t really care what you people think.

Chatterbox speculates about the legality of the US backed Iraqi council rejoining OPEC, casting out for and presenting a few diverse opinions.

Telephone foul ups are one of the things causing problems with Iraq reconstruction. How can we expect a stable country if a stable cell phone network can’t be constructed?

Iraq has been opened up to privatization, with foreign countries allowed to buy almost any Iraqi company, short of those in the oil and mineral industries. But what will that do to stifle Iraqi entrepreneurs in the future?

With a member of the Iraqi council shot in an assassination attempt(badly wounded, but he survived), their need for personal security is rising

A team of US scientists in Iraq have found no evidence of smallpox manufacture or programs..

A look at how the Iraq war was reported.

Israel/Palestine

Arafat says to be pushing for peace, but Israel says talk to the hand, asserting it is a ploy to avoid being exiled. Personally, I don’t say much for Arafat’s plans, but Israel will, I surmise, reject any proposal out of hand given their tone as of late. Shown no boundaries, much like a rebellious child, they’ll run roughshod as far as they can before they misstep critically and allies begin to rumble louder.

Another militant killed by Israeli forces, a house he was holed up in demolished in the process. And it goes on and on and on and on.. As indicated by the previous destruction of more family homes last Friday.

And responsive terror groups in Israel seem a certainty, looking at the lengths some settlers are willing to go for retribution. If this devolves into a terror to terror conflict with zealots muddying the waters on both sides, peace ain’t going to happen.

Afghanistan

Remember that place?

The IMF is warning of the opium business threatening economic recovery of the country. But when the US passes by on its rush to look busy on terrorism, one has to find some way to feed one’s family. And the vacuum allows for the ambitious to set roots.