SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2003

Getting Iraq to become a non-theocratic democracy is going to be a tall order: the Iraqi people have no recent relevant history to guide them;  the fall of the Hussein regime has left a temporary power vacuum that will be filled by good and bad alike, if we let them, in the interests of gaining raw power; at least one interpretation of Islam demands a direct connection between religious and secular leadership, very different from "separation of church and state" which the Western world considers vital to democracy; theocracies like Iran are promoting anti-Americanism in order to blunt the secular pressures in their own countries; and the other dictatorships in the region are doing the same, although in more subtle fashion, in order to avoid their own overthrow by "the Islamic street".  The United States should continue to implement our own plan for a secular democracy run by moderate Iraqis who can actually meet the needs of the people, with our guidance, financial support, and also with our military muscle - for as long as is needed to guarantee success.  Our interests in the Middle East are at least as pressing as our interests in the Korean pennsula and in the Baltics - and in the final analysis it is our national interests that should determine our actions in the world. Of course, we must facilitate - and if necessary impose - an Israel - Palestine settlement finally built on fairness, along lines previously discussed.    A tall order, but work absolutely vital to our national interests.   So, let's settle down for the long haul; and let's not expect garlands of flowers for our efforts, now or in the future.  Success will have to be its own reward.

GS

SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2003

Sorry.  The "family business" is a serious illness in the family.   But it  required a lot of auto travel on our great interstate highway system.  And this has reminded me of the effort in the 1970's to get us out of our cars and into "mass transit".   It was doomed to failure precisely because of the "mass" part of it.   In the crowded, noisy, frenetic world of recent decades, the only place a person has had available to get some guilt-free relaxation is in his or her private automobile...or perhaps in a doctor's office during the inevitable wait.   Now comes the anti-SUV crowd, calling it un-patriotic and even immoral to own such a vehicle,  while we try to stay alive surrounded by trucks and cars and travelling 75 miles per hour for many hours at a time.  Fat chance!   But we really should become more energy self-sufficient, especially regarding oil.  For that, the tiny part of the Alaskan tundra currently under debate is probably a good idea.  (The rest of this administration's "environmental policies" are hide-bound, greedy and regressive, and should be resisted).

GS

SUNDAY, APRIL 20, 2003

Easter Sunday.  Thanks Be To God, For The Greatest Gift Since The Creation.  Happy Easter To All.

GS

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2003

Today's comment relates to what passes for "public education".  Please refer to my article entitled "To The Students of Public Schools, in New London and Elsewhere" (this web site, The Involved Citizen, Public Education).  There, I took note of the "Self-Esteem" fashion of the last two decades as one of the many problems.  Now comes an article reporting on actual scientific research - imagine that! - on the subject, to be published in Psychological Science In The Public Interest next month  (See "Real Self-Esteem Builds On Achievement, Not Praise For Slackers", by Sharon Begley, the Wall Street Journal, Friday, April 18, 2003, Marketplace, Science Journal, pB1).  The last sentence of the WSJ article is worth quoting here: "As we persist in praising children even for mediocre work and trivial accomplishments, I can't resist ending with a plea from the the APS scientists: 'Psycholigists should reduce their own self-esteem a bit and humbly resolve that next time they will wait for a more thorough and solid empirical basis before making policy recommentations to the American public.'''

GS

FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2003

And the carping "liberal" drums beat on:

• The American forces are responsible for the looting of  Baghdad museums;
• U.S. plans for aftermath of war come up short, critics say;
• Where are the weapons of mass destruction?
• Where is Saddam Hussein?
• Here we might also add: who won the 2000 U.S. Presidential election?

• The oppressed Iraqis have so far done precious little to promote their own freedom.  Where were the freedom fighters like the American revolutionaries, or the French, Dutch and Danish Resistance in WWII, or the "Righteous Gentiles" of Poland who helped the Jews at great risk to their own lives?  And let us not forget the collaborators like those of Vichy France, or the "capos" of  the Polish ghettos who betrayed their fellow Jews, or even American prisoners of war who gave up fellow prisoners.  Freedom requires sacrifice - even the ultimate sacrifice.  And a basic tenet of human ethics is that, among innocents, one innocent is not permitted to harm another innocent in order to save himself.  By the way, who provided the museum looters with vault keys and combinations to effect their crimes?
• The basic plan that will spell success of the American post-war effort on behalf of Iraq is to keep the U.N. out of a leadership role in that task.  Remember Haiti, the Balkans....
• The WMD's are wherever that great liar Hussein put them to avoid discovery by the U.N. over ten years.  They may even be in Syria or in Libya. Give us a chance, after we stop being shot at from schools and hospitals.  Besides, that was only one of the rationales for taking this pre-emptive defensive action.  Hans Blix is right: it was about 9/11, even though he spits it out.  The world should take note.  By the way, what is it that enables "diplomats" everywhere to spout flagrant lies without moving a muscle in their facial expressions?  Do you think it's Botox?
• Saddam Hussein is dead, or will be shortly.
• President George W. Bush won the 2000 U.S. Presidential Election.

GS

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2003

"Past is Prologue".  Here is a  good article that points to what America can expect in its future efforts to improve life and society in Iraq: "Nobody Loves a Liberator: What France in 1945 can teach us about Iraq today", by Antony Beevor,  New York Times, OP-ED, Sunday, April 13, 2003, p wk 13.  On a related subject, analyze this... a useful insight into the collective psyche of "liberals" who have been making the same mistakes for over thirty years - and who haven't learned a thing throughout that time: Pessimistic Liberalism, the Wall Street Journal, Opinion, Review and Outlook, Wednesday, April 16, 2003, pA18.

GS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2003

Welcome back to (not so) Rapid Response.   The interruption was necessitated by family business.  Much has occurred since the last entry, and the following are some reactions:

• After the early days of the war were complicated because of the actions of allies like Turkey, American forces did indeed engender "shock and awe"- if not in fanatical Iraqis, then in the rest of the world - by virtue of the speed, accuracy, effectiveness and professionalism with which the war was prosecuted.  It looks like some of the barnacled Brass in our Armed Forces who have been fighting implementation of the Rumsfeld Doctrine of flexibility as the substitute for the Powell Doctrine of overwhelming force will be taking retirement sooner than they may have intended.
• As a direct result of the above, President Bush today has a 75% nationwide approval rating from the commentators who count:  the American people. Of course, that does not prevent the "liberal" press from continuing its diatribe against this justified pre-emptive self- defense action.  On the national networks we have Dan Rather.  On the local scene we have Kenton Robinson, a columnist for the New London Day.  Of his more memorable statements include the following in today's publication: "The answer, of course, is power.  The Iraqi information minister is funny  precisely because he has none.  Our  president, on the other hand, has been given a license to kill, and he loves pulling the trigger."  I have long considered such "liberal" opinion as representative of a special AAA:  Articulate, Arrogant, Asinine.
• The impotent and aggressively anti-American U.N. is out of its collective mind if it thinks that we will now allow it to take the leadership position in the really heavy lifting of helping to create order out of the chaos that is the inevitable consequence of removing the brutal Hussein regime.  It should help.  Just get in the back of the line of the "Coalition of the Willing".  Maybe it can even redeem itself into a position of relevance for the future.  Maybe.
• It is even more clear now than before that the judicious use of power is absolutely necessary where the alternative is a vacuum.  And the Bush Doctrine is precisely that use of power that has gotten the attention of Iran, Syria, North Korea, and many others in the world of supporters of fanatics.  What should also be clear is that - given the immense complexities involved in that part of the world, America should engage there only to the extent that our national interests are involved. These national interests include: destroying anti-American terrorists on their home turf; promoting democracy where it can flourish; guaranteeing the existence and security of Israel while stimulating - and imposing if necessary - a just resolution to the Israel-Palestine problem, including the establishment of two viable states; and supporting a flourishing of the Muslim peoples in the context of an Islamic religion that embraces the concept of separation of Church and State.  Only then will the Muslim world be able to re-gain its formerly high standing in this, the New World Order.
• A special word about Oil.  Oil has become, in the modern world, a resource like air and water.  And like those resources, no nation in the world can abide unilateral interruption of access to oil for reasons of politics, intimidation or similar motivation.  Just as a naval blockade is an act of war, so should the blockade of access to oil be considered an act of war and dealt with appropriately.   This does not preclude dealing in oil as a world commodity.  But it does preclude dealing with oil as a weapon.  The world's oil consumers know this.  The world's oil producers should take note.
• And so:  now begins the real work.

GS

SATURDAY and SUNDAY, APRIL 5 and 6, 2003

There is a lot going on these days.   But now, only one comment seems appropriate.  David Bloom, correspondent for NBC imbedded with the 3rd Infantry Division, has died.  Just  39 years old,  he leaves a a wife and three daughters.  And he leaves fans like my wife and myself  who have followed his career from a distance with interest and with good wishes.  To him, and to all the American and innocent casualties of this war, a heart-felt  REQUIESCAT IN PACEM.

GS

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2003

There are no refractory problems...only unmotivated problem-solvers.  Here are some effective solutions to vexing problems of the day, solutions which - because effective - may never see the light of day.

• Belatedly pressure both Israel and the Palestinians to agree to Land - and a homeland - for Peace.  There are no longer any white-hats in that conflict, which has poisoned the peace of the world for too long.
• Establish Medical Mal-practice Screening Panels as a mandatory step before access to Court.  Caps by themselves will not work.  Also, physicians must remember that their primary loyalty must be to their patients and to  society, not to each other:  the "conspiracy of silence" must stop!
• Regarding Rising Health Care Costs, recognize and appreciate the daily improvements in what we in Medicine can do for patients... and decide either to pay whatever % of the GNP it requires, or prioritize - ration that care.  "Universal Health Care" run by the government  would be a disaster.
• Regarding  the Public Education Debacle, demand and require competition by every means: vouchers, special and private schools, etc.
• Regarding "the Arab street",  encourage the separation of religion from secular government.  As I understand it, nothing in the Religion of Islam requires the inevitable connection between the two areas of human endeavor.  The issue here is not religion, but power.
• Regarding the continuing loss of respect for the Law and for lawyers,  enforce the dual role of all attorneys as officers of the Court and simultaneously as zealous advocates for their clients.  Attorneys  are charged never to mislead the Court or to suborn perjury.  Too frequently, that mandate is not upheld in the practice of Law.
• Regarding the continuing loss of respect for government, politics and politicians, enact effective campaign financing and election laws that limit both duration of compaigns and funds spent on them, and which utilize public funds for compaigns as well.  These can be drafted so as to pass constitutional muster.  What that can't pass so far is the incumbents.  So, throw all the bums out who do not vote for such laws. Meanwhile, our "elected" government is being sold to the highest bidder.  That's not democracy.

WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY, APRIL 2 and 3, 2003

As this just war of pre-emptive self-defense proceeds successfully, we are being reminded again about the "Coalition of the Willing" versus the "Coalition of the Losers", chief among them France and the United Nations.  The U.N. is now "demanding" that they be in charge of post-war re-building of Iraq.  They will have an important role; but otherwise they are out of their collective minds.  Actions have consequences.  Of course, we know what terrible errors "politics" can produce after the supreme sacrifices of soldiers in battle (remember Bush 1 and the abandonment of the Shiites in southern Iraq in 1991).  Let's hope that Bush 2 learned that lesson and keeps the USA in the leading role post-war.  And then there's France...Ah, la belle France.  About a week ago, French President Jacques Chirac was quoted in the New London Day as saying that "he'll veto any measure to let U.S., Britain run Iraq after war".   Then there is the article in the New London Day (Sunday, March 30 2003, Perspective, Section C1) entitled "Chirac Uses Iraq Crisis For His Own Political Ambition".  See also France's Game, by Charles Krauthammer, Time Magazine, March 24, 2003, in Essay, p82.  And then, quoted in the Day today, France's Ambassador to U.S. Jean-David Levitte  considers France "a bit of a scapegoat"; and he wants to "go beyond the bitterness of what happened".  What gall (Gaul?).  By the way, listed below is a partial list of French companies and products, just FYI.

GS

FRENCH PRODUCT LIST

Air Liquide, Alcatel, Allegra (allergy medication), Aqualung (including: Spirotechnique, Technisub, US Divers, and SeaQuest), AXA Advisors Bank of the West (owned by BNP Paribas), Beneteau (boats), BF Goodrich (owned by Michelin), BIC (razors, pens and lighters), Biotherm (cosmetics), Black Bush, Bollinger (champagne), Car & Driver Magazine, Cartier, Chanel, Cheese labeled "Product of France", Chivas Regal (scotch), Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, Club Med (vacations), Culligan (owned by Vivendi), Daniel Cremieux, Dannon (yogurt and dairy foods), DKNY, Dom Perignon, Durand Crystal, Elle Magazine, Essilor Optical Products, Evian bottled water, Fina gas stations and Fina Oil (billions invested in Iraqi oil fields), First Hawaiian Bank, George Magazine, Givenchy, Glenlivet (scotch), Hachette Filipacchi New Media, Hennessy, Houghton Mifflin (books), Jacobs Creek (owned by Pernod Ricard since 1989), Jameson (whiskey), Jerry Springer (talk show)  Krups (coffee and cappuccino makers), Lancome, Le Creuset (cookware), L'Oreal (health and beauty products), Louis Vuitton, Magellan Navigational Equipment, Marie Claire, Martel Cognac, Maybelline, Méphisto (shoes and clothes), Michelin (tires and auto parts), Mikasa (crystal and glass), Moet (champagne), Motel 6, Motown Records, MP3.com, Mumms (champagne), Nissan (cars; majority owned by Renault), Nivea, Normany Butter, Ondeo/Nalco Water Treatement, Parents Magazine, Peugeot (automobiles), Perrier Sparkling Water, Pierre Cardin, Playstation Magazine, ProScan (owned by Thomson Electronics, France), Publicis Group (including Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising), RCA (televisions and electronics; owned by Thomson Electronics), Red Magazine, Red Roof Inns (owned by Accor group in France), Renault (automobiles), Road & Track Magazine, Roquefort cheese (all Roquefort cheese is made in France), Rowenta (toasters, irons, coffee makers, etc,), Royal Canadian, Salomon (skis), Seagram's Gin, Sierra Software and Computer Games, Sitram Cookware, Smart & Final, Sofitel (hotels, owned by Accor), Sparkletts (water, owned by Danone), Spencer Gifts, Sundance Channel, Taylor Made (golf), Technicolor, T-Fal (kitchenware), Total gas stations, UbiSoft (computer games), Uniroyal, Universal Studios (music, movies and amusement parks; owned by Vivendi-Universal), USFilter, Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Vittel, VIVENDI-SEAGRAM,  Wild Turkey (bourbon), Wine and Champagne labeled "Product of France", Woman's Day Magazine, Yoplait (The French company Sodiaal owns a 50 percent stake), Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Rocher, Zodiac Inflatable Boats.

MONDAY and TUESDAY, MARCH 31 and APRIL 1, 2003

As I watch and read the news and news coverage of this war, including some of the news briefings - where critical speechifying by correspondents is supposed to pass for legitimate tough questioning, the events of the last several months recall another difficult period for the world, when the world failed:  the League of Nations, Japan's invasion of Manchuria, Hitler's occupation of the Rhineland, Mussolini's attack on  Ethiopia, Hitler's advance into neighboring countries - all with no response from the world community - except for Neville Chamberlain's approval of the whole enterprise.  And then there was Tokyo Rose.  Her siren songs were  different from the constant carping and distortion coming out of liberal news outlets.  But the effects can be the same:demoralizing our armed forces and  giving aid and comfort to the enemy.  Notable exceptions include the work of Tom Brokaw and Jim Lehrer.  The  media's job can be done right.  Bottom line: Americans can pro-actively defend ourselves against enemies where they live, and thereby dissuade them from their plans; or we can resign ourselves to walking around the world with a target on our back, waiting for the next blow.

GS