0713 - Distinctions

Before beginning today, we wish to announce an addition to our distinguished Staff. The political season is well underway in the States, but so far we have seen few if any notable slogans. So, we have appointed a Staff Sloganeer. His claim to fame is the authorship of that notable button of an unshaven Nixon with the slogan “Would you buy a used car from this man?” We expect similar productions and will print some from time to time. Contributions from Readers will be welcomed, and anonymity preserved if published. So. Today’s subject is the truly miserable state of political debate in the U.S. it ain’t great in Anguilla either, but our policy is not to say such things.

The problem is, that instead of discussion of facts, problems, potential solutions, what we get is exchange of epithets and recital of catch phrases. “Support the troops!” is a fine sentiment, but does not offer any path out of the Iraq quagmire. Is anybody suggesting that troops not be supported? There are many wanting the troops out, but that would prevent troops being killed – so is that non-support? Now, it’s true we just had a Petraeus week in Washington, but watching the many hours of so-called “hearings” was an experience that might be found elsewhere only if being held at Abu Ghraib. What the Congress calls a “Hearing” is mostly an exercise where every committee member sounds off for five minutes while facing a witness. The witness, who might have something sensible to say [Exception! the just departed Attorney General] must sit silently enduring this storm of guff. Congresspeople! If you want to have a real examination of the witness, appoint some competent Staff Counsel to prepare a cross examination. You might get at the truth. Or do you want to?

This last week’s two Iraq witnesses seemed competent guys, much emphasizing a “progress”consisting of handing a province back to the Sunnis who formerly ruled with their boy Saddam. But not one “questioner” really dug into how to the Iraqi dead are counted, or how much the somewhat lower count is due to displacement of four million hapless Iraqis (two million just left Iraq, the other two moved out). That doesn’t mean a soldier who is doing what he is told is “betraying us”as some stupid Bush opponents cried. Their problem is they are still fighting the re-election of Bush, which would be a noble fight, but he’s not running again. When you’ve won, it is best to move on, you org, you.

We stand for intelligent political debate, digging into facts and making the needed distinctions. Are there any good ways to get out of the Iraq mess? Let’s hear them, and let’s have a smart and detailed debate. As a matter of fact, our Staff, who proudly told you before the invasion that there were no WMDs in Iraq, has been doing just this, and has developed a plan. We haven’t given the plan to you Readers for two reasons. First, we have a couple of Irredentist Readers who would call the proudly independent OO a “Liberal” and that isn’t argument, it’s boring, and second, the plan involves religion, and we are most careful not to talk about religion. Yet, it’s time for some real thinking, isn’t it? If you want to hear the OO plan, you must invite The OO and the entire Staff to a dinner with decent wine, and all shall be revealed. More, the plan will be discussed intelligently, with distinctions made.

Also, a large TV actor has entered the Republican race. What he stands for is not clear, although he is said to be”Conservative”. As we have told you again and again, that doesn’t mean anything more than “Liberal”. He looks good, though, and maybe some one with ideas might rent him as an Avatar. [We understand an Avatar to be defined as “The incarnation of a deity in human or animal form”.] Wouldn’t be the first rental – Cheney did.

Next time: Decisions [OO #714]

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

Home