Towards a global perspective . . .

Recently, we haven’t been paying a lot of attention to Iraq.   When we do hear something, we hear about a prolonged and possibly rather disorderly process reflecting an incompetent or maybe recalcitrant embodiment of Democracy.   There are, in fact, some interesting and reasonably democratic forces at play, along with some that are less so.  In any case, the type of democracy they have is somewhat complicated, especially at the current stage they.   The situation is sometimes represented as a competition between two guys, Iyad Allawi and his people, and Nouri Al Maliki and his people.  We see Mr. Allawi insisting that he won, while Mr. Al Maliki is being a very bad sport, using all of the resources he can muster as the incumbent to change the outcome, so far without success.  And, at some level, this is all too true.

But there are some significant, and quite reasonable players driving events behind the scenes.   Read the rest of this entry »

The London Times online headline says Israel Stations Nuclear Missile Subs off Iran.   The article says that the subs have already spent time in the region, but a “decision has now been taken to insure the presence of at least one of the subs.” The New York Times headline says U.N. Says Iran Has Fuel for Two Nuclear Weapons.  They go on to say that “Iran has now produced a stockpile of nuclear fuel that experts say would be enough, with further enrichment, to build 2 nuclear bombs. ” What does that mean?   Iran has had the same amount of nuclear materials from the start.   It has taken them 10 years to enrich it to to 3%.   To be used in a bomb, it has to be enriched to 95%.   With relation to Iran, The NY Times is constantly trying to find a way to make newsworthy the absence of news.

But, there is some real news and the world press is reporting it: Read the rest of this entry »

This week congress decided, after much debate, to continue the unemployment benefits of the core of the 10% of the population currently being serviced.   In consideration of the deficit, they decided not to continue subsidies to the COBRA health plans of those on unemployment.   It’s a token at best.  The cost of COBRA assistance is trivial compared to the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, to the cost of the gulf catastrophe that has yet to begin accumulating.    But, it’s something.  And, as usual, the meek, who have yet to inherit the earth, are paying in advance.

I was thinking that I wouldn’t be affected because my COBRA coverage ends on June 30, but in fact, I will have to pay the full amount for June.   The full amount, for me, a single person, is more than my pre-tax weekly unemployment check.   I was notified on Friday, so I have no opportunity to adjust my plans.  Too bad.  Had I known a couple of months ago, I would have saved myself more than a week’s income, but at this point, I have long planned final Doctor appointments and prescription refills in the balance.   I’ll have to pay.

But, it isn’t just me.   Read the rest of this entry »

According to Eurasianet.org, Tbilisi is wooing Tehran.    Georgian President Saakashvili is now making overtures to Iran.   They have mutually waived the need for visas and initiated programs to increase their interstate trade and tourism.  Iran is investing in Georgia.  Read the rest of this entry »

Our priceless friend and ally, Israel, has just assaulted a flotilla of supplies with 800 civilian activists aboard and several tons of building materials, food, toys and various necessities.   There was live coverage online from the lead ship, broadcast through a Turkish news station.    Live TV coverage of a war crime, this is today’s media.  This is our world.   Even so, as time will show, Israel managed to come up with a conflicting story and a video of their own to prove it, only a few hours later.  They are ingenious and persistent.

There were around 600 people on the lead ship where the most serious confrontation took place, all unarmed civilians.   Al Jazeera and the Turkish station have video of a stairway crowded with people with people in life jackets.  You can hear a loudspeaker in the background directing people to go to their rooms and wait.   The reporter from Al Jazeera says that at least two are dead and there are an unknown number of injured.  Speedboats race alongside and around the ship.  Helicopters hover overhead.  He says that he is going to join them, and the scene ends, but the Turkish coverage continues. Floodlights are flashing over the deck as uniformed soldiers board the ship from the air and the sea.     Read the rest of this entry »