Okay, I want to start by speaking briefly of non-Israeli news items resuming my discussion of my amazing Israeli adventure.
1) GWB had his state of the union, and I was asleep and have no idea what he said, nor do I really care. That said, feel free to read the transcript.
2) Hillary Clinton announced she is running for prez. I predict she will get the nom, and Obama will be her running mate. I also have no intention of voting for her. If it is Hillary versus a typical Republican, given I live in a non-swing state, I am considering voting Libertarian simply in protest. I predict she will win, because this will go along with my general prediction I made in the year 2000 that Hillary will win in 2008, thereby creating at minimum 24 years straight of presidents related to each other. (Bush Sr (4), Clinton (8), GWB (8), Hillary (4) = 24 years) Who says there are no royal families in America?
3) Lebanon is in chaos. There was a nationwide strike and general mayhem yesterday. It seems that this was basically called off today, in order to avert another civil war that might possibly drag on another 25 years. It seems hundreds of people were injured, many with gunshot wounds, and three were killed. I wrote the following about it on Sandmonkey's blog:
I wish I was surprised, but I am not. This is a long time in the making.You are right, SM, the ideology is one of destruction, not creation.
The good Lebanese people want to create a functioning government and society, and they are hated for it. It is heartbreaking to watch. I do not know what the answer to this is…it seems like the destruction of what was a beautiful possibility in Lebanon is inevitable.
I want to say that I wish I had the chance to visit Lebanon while I was in Israel (I should say I wish that the Israeli-Lebanese border allowed for that!), but alas, I did see the antennae from Lebanon! It breaks my heart to see a nation with such promise and with people who really have a *zest for life* slowly cracking under the strain of extremism. Of course, the following abomination breaks my heart most of all: the Aoun Hizballah supporter.
4) Iran is not letting nuclear inspectors into their country. In a related item, Wesley Clark, former NATO commander and candidate for prez, blamed the JOOOOOOZ for pushing the nation into war. I am horrified that such a mainstream politician, and not just some nutjob extremist (such as David Duke or Cynthia McKinney) is actually blaming the JOOOOZ for controlling foreign policy. The New Republic wrote an excellent response to Wes Clark's antisemitism. In more related news, Newt Gingrich wrote a great response to the Iranian crisis on Ynet news. (thanks to Raccoon)
Despite this all, I maintain my optimism that good will triumph over evil. I maintain my belief that, in the long run, Iran's suicidal ideology will not win out, cannot win out. Let me quote what I wrote earlier, which I feel is especially true in light of Iran's recent developments.
I believe this now more than ever. Perhaps I have to believe it, to get through each day.There will always be horrors in the world. There will always be genocide in every generation.
But there also will be goodness, kindness, and love. And perhaps it's not possible to
take one without the other. Perhaps it is all part of the crazy, seemingly incomprehensible world that we live in, and the only way to exist and not go mad is to focus on what each individual can change in their own lives to shine just that little candle of light into the unfathomable darkness.
This is what is on my mind at the moment. I know there are other news items, but these are the ones jumping out at me at present. What do you think about it all?
11 comments:
Nice to have you back. ^^
I honestly don't think Hillary will win the national elections. She's very popular among some of the Democrats... but mostly in NY, not nearly as much elsewhere... That's not enough to pull off an election, especially if she runs against someone like McCaine.
I think McCain is a joke, and doesn't have much of a chance. The situation you described with Hillary is a reflection of the one with McCain, only he has even less credibility, renown, and so on among the general public.
Irina,
We shall see. My prediction is that she will win. Who knows what the future holds, though?
Jason,
I agree McCain is a joke. Honestly, if it were Hillary v. McCain, I would simply vote Libertarian. I am sick of this political circus. If I lived in a swing state, I would probably vote for McCain, but begrudgingly.
Blah!
You all may have your wish to vote for a principled Libertarian candidate for President.
Looks like famous Las Vegas Sports Oddsmaker Wayne Allyn Root is going to run.
More info:
www.mainstreamlibertarian.com
BTW Rudy Giuliani is no "typical GOP candidate." And he's leading in every poll. If Hillary wins on the Dem side, Giuliani will have her for lunch.
Eric,
I am from NY. Giuliani, while someone I would probably vote for, will never end up with the Repub ticket. He has waaaaaay too many skeletons in his closest.
As far as the Libertarians, it's simply a protest vote, not a vote for the particular person. The other option is not voting at all. I am just sick of the political circus, and the pointlessness of voting in a non-swing state.
Honestly, I think in the end we'll wind up seeing what happens so often: some dark horse taking the lead in the Republican nominations... like a "safety" choice. Someone quiet, steady, uncontroversial...
McCain and Giuliani both have a major handicap in that neither are particularly popular with the religious right.
While the would be religious right candidate, Brownback doesn't have the name recognition, or appeal to moderates, average voters, or the business interests to make him a viable candidate.
Right now, the GOP is somewhat split with the favorites of the Religious Right being to unappealing to everyone else they need, and the favorites of everyone else being less than ideal in the eyes of the religious right.
From the link:
"Huffington quoted Clark as saying that the idea of bombing Iran before exhausting diplomatic avenues was “outrageous.” According to Huffington, she then asked Clark what made him so sure that the United States is headed in the direction of attacking Iran, and he replied: “You just have to read what’s in the Israeli press. The Jewish community is divided, but there is so much pressure being channeled from the New York money people to the office seekers."
I say, if true, then its a good thing that Jews are pushing for a response to Iran. They have the most to lose if Iran is successful in its nuclear ambitions. If I were a "money people" I would tell Wes Clark that he's got it right.
Heres a story for ya red;
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/25/oppenheim.cabbies/index.html
I don't have your email address so I have to put links I want you to see in here. ^_^
Jason,
In the future, you can email me by emailing cultureforall@gmail.com, and putting "red tulips" in the subject.
As far as the article, I have seen that before, but I will post it on the main page, because I do think it deserves mention and discussion.
As far as McCain and Giuliani, I agree, but you must remember that Giuliani has more than a closet filled with skeletons: he has a whole house filled with them. His term as mayor was rife with corruption, and his marriage to Donna Hanover ended quite badly and in the headlines, with him having committed infidelity quite publicly. I don't know if he is electable, because if he were to run for higher office, all of this would be revealed to middle America.
ratherdashing:
I agree with you, but it's beyond the pale for Clark to be blaming the JOOOOZ as he is doing. Disgusting.
Cheers,
Red Tulips
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