That is what Ahmad Chalabi is calling for in this morning's Washington Post. He says it will create short-term resentment, but it must be done.
He also calls for greater Iraqi involvement in security, etc.
Sunday, August 31, 2003
"How to talk about Israel"
Long article from this morning's New York Times Magazine on Israel, its support and opposition and some basic history for those who don't know. (The writer claims that the Israelis got their nuclear bomb from France in the 1950's.)
Military industrial complex is "dead"
Who knew? Living in Ireland, watching the wrong shows on television (both British and Irish), listening to the wrong radio programs and reading the wrong newspapers, I hadn't realized that the Pentagon and defense contractors were no longer controlling the US. In fact, I had been led to believe that these folks were driving our march to dominate the world.
Well, it turns out the military industrial complex is not half what it used to be.
Well, it turns out the military industrial complex is not half what it used to be.
Saturday, August 30, 2003
Iraqi governing council
An opinion piece in this morning's Arab News is actually encouraging. The writer notes that individual Arab nations have been opening doors to the Iraqi Governing Council and that this is the first step on the road to Arab League recognition. He also acknowledges that the Council is "representative of the real Iraqis" regardless of how it came about.
Given what happened yesterday, the sooner that the Council takes over Iraq's affairs the better. Not that they would have been better able to prevent that attack, but I think they will be better able to carry out the severe crack-down that will be necessary to bring this sort of activity to a close.
Given what happened yesterday, the sooner that the Council takes over Iraq's affairs the better. Not that they would have been better able to prevent that attack, but I think they will be better able to carry out the severe crack-down that will be necessary to bring this sort of activity to a close.
Scaring the Irish Times
Bran at Blog-Irish thinks I frightened the Irish Times back to its more comfortable political position (way out left).
USS The Sullivans
The US Navy is commemorating "The Fighting Sullivans" with a visit to West Cork this weekend.
Nice gesture. Only, I'm surprised that Trevor Sargent and Michael D. Higgins aren't down there protesting.
Nice gesture. Only, I'm surprised that Trevor Sargent and Michael D. Higgins aren't down there protesting.
Friday, August 29, 2003
Votes for emigrants
Frank has responded to my note below on why I think votes should be extended to emigrants.
First, I would like to clarify one thing I wrote that Frank (rightly) noted. I cannot be stripped of my citizenship even if I refuse to obey U.S. law. When I wrote "If I want to remain a citizen" I should have added "and not be an outlaw". My only other option is to renounce my American citizenship.
Also, when Frank claims I'm advocating "therapeutic politics" by noting that extending the vote to emigrants will enhance their sense of being valued, I had earlier laid out a case that emigrants act as ambassadors and promoters of the country. This may not always be apparent to people here, but often emigrants are instrumental in driving investment and tourism to Ireland.
I heard a good example of this the other day on the radio. A leading Irish computer games retailer is being bought out by a large American company. This investment is obviously commercially driven, but the fact that this company even considered Ireland for its first European venture was due to the fact that an emigrant was involved in the decision-making process. I know most Irish people would find this difficult to accept, but most Americans (particularly outside the Northeast) have only the vaguest idea as to where Ireland is or what it's like here. My wife was often asked if Ireland was in Europe.
Frank's feelings and my instinct are no real measure of how emigrants might vote. Where those emigrants chose to go to may provide some indication as to how they would vote if they could. I would be surprised if the emigrants who went to the US would vote for greater government intrusion in peoples' lives and/or further European integration, but that's just my own instinct.
First, I would like to clarify one thing I wrote that Frank (rightly) noted. I cannot be stripped of my citizenship even if I refuse to obey U.S. law. When I wrote "If I want to remain a citizen" I should have added "and not be an outlaw". My only other option is to renounce my American citizenship.
Also, when Frank claims I'm advocating "therapeutic politics" by noting that extending the vote to emigrants will enhance their sense of being valued, I had earlier laid out a case that emigrants act as ambassadors and promoters of the country. This may not always be apparent to people here, but often emigrants are instrumental in driving investment and tourism to Ireland.
I heard a good example of this the other day on the radio. A leading Irish computer games retailer is being bought out by a large American company. This investment is obviously commercially driven, but the fact that this company even considered Ireland for its first European venture was due to the fact that an emigrant was involved in the decision-making process. I know most Irish people would find this difficult to accept, but most Americans (particularly outside the Northeast) have only the vaguest idea as to where Ireland is or what it's like here. My wife was often asked if Ireland was in Europe.
Frank's feelings and my instinct are no real measure of how emigrants might vote. Where those emigrants chose to go to may provide some indication as to how they would vote if they could. I would be surprised if the emigrants who went to the US would vote for greater government intrusion in peoples' lives and/or further European integration, but that's just my own instinct.
Judicial dictatorship
Pat Buchanan believes the US is in the grips of a judicial dictatorship, a tyranny more "odious and tyrannical" than George III.
A hot, hot summer
This morning the skies are grey, the air noticeably cooler and the ground outside is wet. Our "hot, hot summer" is apparently over. Still, with the sun just trying to peek out, I can see the hills are still 40 shades of beige - a sign of just how dry it's been around here.
I swam in the Irish Sea. Normally, I have to be dragged there by my native family, but this summer I willingly went to the beach. I even looked forward to it on a few occasions. My children are suntanned and I haven't seen a sweatshirt since June. It's one to remember. In fact, I'm sure we'll still be talking about the "summer of '03" in 10 years.
I swam in the Irish Sea. Normally, I have to be dragged there by my native family, but this summer I willingly went to the beach. I even looked forward to it on a few occasions. My children are suntanned and I haven't seen a sweatshirt since June. It's one to remember. In fact, I'm sure we'll still be talking about the "summer of '03" in 10 years.
Thursday, August 28, 2003
Votes for emigrants
Frank is opposed to extending the franchise to emigrants. He believes that there should be no "representation without taxation". A nifty twist on the American revolutionaries slogan, but a poor definition of what citizenship is.
First of all, many emigrants do contribute to their home country's economy. When they return on visits they spend their money in their home country, paying VAT, etc. They often remit sums to family members, which are then spent in the home country (although I suspect this is much less important to the Irish economy than it was 40 or more years ago). Emigrants are also usually great ambassadors/salesmen for their home country.
However, citizenship is about more than taxation and money. Citizenship is tied to your national identity - who you are. Denying an emigrant a vote is nearly the same as denying him his national identity. For that reason, regardless of what party here is endorsing the concept, votes should be extended to all citizens wherever they reside. {NOTE: I doubt the Labour Party would be a big winner if votes were extended to emigrants. My experience is that the number of residents from rural Ireland is disproportionate to their relative population strength here and labour is not as strong in rural Ireland.}
As for Frank's assertion that emigrants don't have to live with the consequences, that's not entirely true. I'm an emigrant from the U.S. If I want to remain a citizen, I have to be willing to serve in the armed forces if called (gets more unlikely by the day). I have to abide by all the laws of the United States with regards to foreign travel (e.g. I cannot go to Cuba without explicit permission). There are taxation laws covering Americans living abroad. All of these laws have consequences for me. I live with those consequences as the price for remaining a citizen. I am entitled to vote in the US. I cannot see why Ireland should be any different.
Extending the vote to Irish emigrants would actually be more of an exercise in reaching out to that mass of ambassadors and letting them know that they're still valued. It can only foster more good feelings for their home country. There should be more for emigrants than the chance to cheer on the national football team every few years.
First of all, many emigrants do contribute to their home country's economy. When they return on visits they spend their money in their home country, paying VAT, etc. They often remit sums to family members, which are then spent in the home country (although I suspect this is much less important to the Irish economy than it was 40 or more years ago). Emigrants are also usually great ambassadors/salesmen for their home country.
However, citizenship is about more than taxation and money. Citizenship is tied to your national identity - who you are. Denying an emigrant a vote is nearly the same as denying him his national identity. For that reason, regardless of what party here is endorsing the concept, votes should be extended to all citizens wherever they reside. {NOTE: I doubt the Labour Party would be a big winner if votes were extended to emigrants. My experience is that the number of residents from rural Ireland is disproportionate to their relative population strength here and labour is not as strong in rural Ireland.}
As for Frank's assertion that emigrants don't have to live with the consequences, that's not entirely true. I'm an emigrant from the U.S. If I want to remain a citizen, I have to be willing to serve in the armed forces if called (gets more unlikely by the day). I have to abide by all the laws of the United States with regards to foreign travel (e.g. I cannot go to Cuba without explicit permission). There are taxation laws covering Americans living abroad. All of these laws have consequences for me. I live with those consequences as the price for remaining a citizen. I am entitled to vote in the US. I cannot see why Ireland should be any different.
Extending the vote to Irish emigrants would actually be more of an exercise in reaching out to that mass of ambassadors and letting them know that they're still valued. It can only foster more good feelings for their home country. There should be more for emigrants than the chance to cheer on the national football team every few years.
"de Gaulle" needed
The biggest mistake that the US has committed is not finding someone to be the Iraqi de Gaulle. In 1944 when Paris was liberated (nobody ever claimed Berlin, Munich or Frankfurt were liberated) de Gaulle's army of French exiles led the way through the capital. This gesture solidified his position, but also showed the French people that France was theirs again.
Whether he is the best man for the job or not I can't really say, but Ahmed Chalabi should have been groomed for that role. Had he been at the forefront of an Iraqi exile army taking control of Baghdad (even if the Iraqi army was not really sufficient to take on the entire job) it might have transformed the post-war situation.
Chalabi doesn't believe any more US troops are needed in Iraq. I hope he's right. He wants the Iraqi National Congress to take on a greater role in the security of Iraq. I say, let them have it.
Whether he is the best man for the job or not I can't really say, but Ahmed Chalabi should have been groomed for that role. Had he been at the forefront of an Iraqi exile army taking control of Baghdad (even if the Iraqi army was not really sufficient to take on the entire job) it might have transformed the post-war situation.
Chalabi doesn't believe any more US troops are needed in Iraq. I hope he's right. He wants the Iraqi National Congress to take on a greater role in the security of Iraq. I say, let them have it.
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
The Guardian & Telegraph
After reading the Times of India and Pakistan Daily Times, the editorials in today's Guardian and Telegraph are instructive. Both papers focus on local issues and causes of conflict and trouble.
Interestingly, Jeevan Deol writing in this morning's Times, puts the bombings in more of a global context than either the Telegraph or Guardian did. He (assuming Jeevan is a man) is more in line with the Pakistan Daily Times editorial today.
Interestingly, Jeevan Deol writing in this morning's Times, puts the bombings in more of a global context than either the Telegraph or Guardian did. He (assuming Jeevan is a man) is more in line with the Pakistan Daily Times editorial today.
Pakistan vs. India
This morning's Pakistan Daily Times has a reasonable editorial on the bombs in Mumbai. There is also more coverage in the main news section.
Tuesday, August 26, 2003
Pakistan vs. India
It's hard to generalize based on two newspapers, but the lack of any real coverage or comment in the Pakistan Daily Times on the bombings in Mumbai (Bombay) is pretty revealing. In the Times of India, the Deputy Prime Minister said:
our neighbour's war of terrorism against us is directed not only in Jammu and Kashmir as the worldwide impression has it. The analysis and experience of the past shows that the target is not only J&K, Punjab or Delhi alone. There is an attempt to destabilise the whole of IndiaHow can there be so little interest in Pakistan with regards to this story? The Deputy PM also apparently said that it was India's success that was the cause of Pakistan's hostility towards India. Sounds very much like what George W. Bush would have said.
Road safety
Conor Faughnan says we're not taking the issue of road safety seriously. It's hard to disagree with him. Speeding is a problem, but not the only problem.
Roads, including the new motorways, are not designed or built with safety in mind. The M11 bypassing Bray is one of the least safe major roads I've ever traveled on. Entrance ramps are too short. Rain water doesn't drain off properly. There is an insufficient barrier between the lanes of oncoming traffic. And, worst of all, near the northern end of the road there are signs indicating that drivers should reduce their speed to 40mph. Some people obey, but just as many don't. So you have a situation where some people are attempting to go at speeds of 70+ while others are moving at 40.
Roads, including the new motorways, are not designed or built with safety in mind. The M11 bypassing Bray is one of the least safe major roads I've ever traveled on. Entrance ramps are too short. Rain water doesn't drain off properly. There is an insufficient barrier between the lanes of oncoming traffic. And, worst of all, near the northern end of the road there are signs indicating that drivers should reduce their speed to 40mph. Some people obey, but just as many don't. So you have a situation where some people are attempting to go at speeds of 70+ while others are moving at 40.
Votes for emigrants
I've always felt that citizens should be entitled to vote in their country's elections regardless of where they reside. The Irish political consensus has always been that there are too many emigrants and they would destabilize the political process here. Well, if thousands of your people are leaving due to a lack of work, perhaps your political process should be destablized.
When Mary Robinson was elected, I remember thinking how odd it was that none of the thousands of Irish living in NY, Boston or wherever were allowed to vote in that election for a predominantly ceremonial post. Yet, simultaneously, millions of Polish emigrants were lining up outside the Polish embassies and consular offices to cast their ballots for Lech Walesa at a time when Poland was still a communist state.
This week's Irish Echo had the details on the latest the efforts (or lack thereof) to allow emigrants votes in Seanad elections. More endless discussion about allowing citizens to vote in meaningless elections. In Mexico (a country with far more emigrants than Ireland) one state has moved to give emigrants real power.
When Mary Robinson was elected, I remember thinking how odd it was that none of the thousands of Irish living in NY, Boston or wherever were allowed to vote in that election for a predominantly ceremonial post. Yet, simultaneously, millions of Polish emigrants were lining up outside the Polish embassies and consular offices to cast their ballots for Lech Walesa at a time when Poland was still a communist state.
This week's Irish Echo had the details on the latest the efforts (or lack thereof) to allow emigrants votes in Seanad elections. More endless discussion about allowing citizens to vote in meaningless elections. In Mexico (a country with far more emigrants than Ireland) one state has moved to give emigrants real power.
Monday, August 25, 2003
Irish Times
I have complained about the Irish Times as much as anyone in the past few years, so today I want to compliment the paper. Friday's edition (which I only got around to reading on Sunday) had three excellent columns and was easily worth the purchase price.
(All links below require a subscription.)
First, economist Jim O'Leary from NUI Maynooth had a great, simple explanation of the pluses and minuses of fiscal policy vs. exchange and interest rate policies and the effect EMU has had on our ability to use these to our benefit. If you're an economist, this is probably over-simplified, but I thought it was a great summary.
Second, Edward Walsh, President Emeritus, University of Limerick, on the problems associated with a university system that is totally dominated by the state.
And, third, Kevin Myers on the gloomy, but realistic reasons why Ireland should support the US in the war on terror.
I could be imagining things, but I think that the Irish Times has tacked ever-so-slightly back towards the center (from just left of Mao) in the past couple of months. Maybe it's a hopeful sign?
(All links below require a subscription.)
First, economist Jim O'Leary from NUI Maynooth had a great, simple explanation of the pluses and minuses of fiscal policy vs. exchange and interest rate policies and the effect EMU has had on our ability to use these to our benefit. If you're an economist, this is probably over-simplified, but I thought it was a great summary.
Second, Edward Walsh, President Emeritus, University of Limerick, on the problems associated with a university system that is totally dominated by the state.
And, third, Kevin Myers on the gloomy, but realistic reasons why Ireland should support the US in the war on terror.
I could be imagining things, but I think that the Irish Times has tacked ever-so-slightly back towards the center (from just left of Mao) in the past couple of months. Maybe it's a hopeful sign?
Computer viruses
Dick picks up on my point that I feel the media is somewhat responsible for the type of virus problems that home PC users suffered. He relates how he used to always warn the home user (his audience) to back up, install patches and updating anti-virus software.
In general, I would read the columns in a newspaper with such advice. I have always updated my virus protection software regularly. However, I never knew that there were viruses that were transmitted other than through e-mail. I hadn't known that this "open port" virus was a possibility, and my virus protection software was no use for such a virus. You need a firewall to prevent such an occurence (I have one now AND I agree with Dick, the more time you're online the more necessary a firewall is).
The problem with this approach is that most home PC owners don't read these columns. Why should they have to? I don't read columns about cars other than when I have to buy a car. Most of the time, I couldn't care less about developments in car technology, etc.
My point with regards to the media is that the average tech writer has so much knowledge that they have almost no feel for the level of ignorance among the general home PC owner. Most of the home users don't want to read the technology pages. They don't want to read about new developments. They're often unable to understand the language in which these articles are written.
I have a camcorder and a VCR. I know that there are a lot of functions that I have never even imagined using. I don't care. I don't have the interest in it. I can do the few things I want to do with those bits of equipment and I'm happy enough with that.
When I bought the camcorder and VCR there was an instruction booklet that helped me do the basics and warn me of any real dangers (such as shorting my equipment, etc.). Considering the potential for causing trouble for yourself, the manufacturers and retailers of both hardware and software are totally deficient when it comes to this sort of customer service.
Dell sold me a PC with a version of Windows that had essentially been recalled. I'm sure Dell would argue differently, but when I go to a car dealer, I presume that all the faults that the manufacturer has identified have been corrected by the dealer before he sells me the car. So, why can't Dell install the latest service packs (at least 2 of which had been out for over a year before I bought my PC) before they ship a Windows 2000 machine?
When the problem is serious enough, all those who bought the car with the problem are asked to come back to the dealer to have the problem remedied. Why can't this happen when you buy a computer? The customer doesn't even have to come back to the shop to have the problem repaired.
When I bought my PC Microsoft made me register with them. There was some waffle about the benefits I would get for registering. Well, the most important benefit would have been Microsoft informing me that its software was continuously reviewed for problems and that I would be notified of all fixes and service packs that I would have to download (should not be presented as an option). This didn't happen.
Instead, Microsoft announces these fixes through press releases that are then rehashed in the technology pages that most of Microsoft's home customers do not read.
As far as I'm concerned, these are shoddy business practices and the media has done a poor job of highlighting this.
In general, I would read the columns in a newspaper with such advice. I have always updated my virus protection software regularly. However, I never knew that there were viruses that were transmitted other than through e-mail. I hadn't known that this "open port" virus was a possibility, and my virus protection software was no use for such a virus. You need a firewall to prevent such an occurence (I have one now AND I agree with Dick, the more time you're online the more necessary a firewall is).
The problem with this approach is that most home PC owners don't read these columns. Why should they have to? I don't read columns about cars other than when I have to buy a car. Most of the time, I couldn't care less about developments in car technology, etc.
My point with regards to the media is that the average tech writer has so much knowledge that they have almost no feel for the level of ignorance among the general home PC owner. Most of the home users don't want to read the technology pages. They don't want to read about new developments. They're often unable to understand the language in which these articles are written.
I have a camcorder and a VCR. I know that there are a lot of functions that I have never even imagined using. I don't care. I don't have the interest in it. I can do the few things I want to do with those bits of equipment and I'm happy enough with that.
When I bought the camcorder and VCR there was an instruction booklet that helped me do the basics and warn me of any real dangers (such as shorting my equipment, etc.). Considering the potential for causing trouble for yourself, the manufacturers and retailers of both hardware and software are totally deficient when it comes to this sort of customer service.
Dell sold me a PC with a version of Windows that had essentially been recalled. I'm sure Dell would argue differently, but when I go to a car dealer, I presume that all the faults that the manufacturer has identified have been corrected by the dealer before he sells me the car. So, why can't Dell install the latest service packs (at least 2 of which had been out for over a year before I bought my PC) before they ship a Windows 2000 machine?
When the problem is serious enough, all those who bought the car with the problem are asked to come back to the dealer to have the problem remedied. Why can't this happen when you buy a computer? The customer doesn't even have to come back to the shop to have the problem repaired.
When I bought my PC Microsoft made me register with them. There was some waffle about the benefits I would get for registering. Well, the most important benefit would have been Microsoft informing me that its software was continuously reviewed for problems and that I would be notified of all fixes and service packs that I would have to download (should not be presented as an option). This didn't happen.
Instead, Microsoft announces these fixes through press releases that are then rehashed in the technology pages that most of Microsoft's home customers do not read.
As far as I'm concerned, these are shoddy business practices and the media has done a poor job of highlighting this.
Sunday, August 24, 2003
Iraq
Tom Friedman is good again today. I would never have agreed to support the war if its aim was solely to promote "decent, open, women-friendly, pluralistic governments" in the Middle East. It's a laudable goal, but I just don't think you can ask US soldiers and marines to die for that. But, for Friedman, success requires just that in Iraq.
I supported the war because I accepted that Iraq was a threat to the security of the United States. And, now that the war has been fought I would love to see much of this other goal accomplished, but as long as the threat posed by Iraq doesn't rear up again, something short of that would be acceptable to me.
Just wondering if Friedman would consider Tom McGurk among his list of critics who believe we've "upset some bucolic native culture and natural harmony in Iraq, as if the Baath Party were some colorful local tribe out of National Geographic."
I supported the war because I accepted that Iraq was a threat to the security of the United States. And, now that the war has been fought I would love to see much of this other goal accomplished, but as long as the threat posed by Iraq doesn't rear up again, something short of that would be acceptable to me.
Just wondering if Friedman would consider Tom McGurk among his list of critics who believe we've "upset some bucolic native culture and natural harmony in Iraq, as if the Baath Party were some colorful local tribe out of National Geographic."
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