Among all the various topics discussed on today's program with all four significant guests, the recurring topic - the one that has dominated the news cycle all week - was torture, which has reached a pinnacle moment these days. One of those technological advances (waterboarding) dates back to the Crusades and the Battles for Jerusalem. The sadder fact in the aftermath of torture is that people are calling for, defining, and conducting debates on this. The phrase 'torture debate' in the context of how the public is discussing it almost seems oxymoronic. There should be no debate and it takes some kind of gall in an individual to use the euphemism 'enhance interrogation technique' and frame an argument around that fully knowing that one is referring to torture.
Whatever you want to call it, Robert Gibbs, The White House Press Secretary, duly noted today that on the first full day in office for the Obama Administration, the President signed an executive order banning 'enhance interrogation techniques.' Questions such as 'Should we look back and investigate?' or simply 'Does America torture?' were unfortunately met with nuanced answers.
Jordan's King Abdullah II's (on today's program, but interviewed on Friday) answered were measured and carefully worded (the benefits of a classical education). When asked the latter question from above, he said that it appears the U.S. has used illegal ways of interrogating. He did categorically deny that Jordan took part in the back end of the United States' rendition program. However, when asked about whether or not torture works he said he was not an expert but that it was 'such a grey area for a country at war.' You could just sense from the King's body language that there were some skeletons there in Jordan. They have a representative government but you don't uphold a monarchy for 60 years without exercising some control.
[Note: The support that the United States receives from Jordan's King Abdullah II should be significantly noted. This respected leader in the Middle East walks a thin compromised line between other countries' cooperation in the region and his relationship with America. He, and not the Israelis, is the key to our success in the region.]
The King also reminded us of this, sounding like a broken record, when asked various questions by Mr. Gregory about resolving violence in the Middle East - All roads lead back to Jerusalem. The endless cause celebrae - Palenstinians vs. Israelis. The plethora of tensions in the region would be significantly alleviated by resolving Jerusalem and a two-state solution he contended. It can only be accomplished with significant involvement of the United States, which is a must to provide a strong arm of compromise with Israel. If the United States can facilitate and bring this about, the 'torture debate' would be left for the archeologists.
However, in the most succinct terms, the United States, like the invasion and occupation of Iraq, should not have instituted the policy of torture in the first place.
So what about investigating the past? Politically tricks to be sure, and Mr. Obama seems to be making all the right dance steps at the moment. Mr. Gibbs explained that the Administration is not initiating an investigation of Bush Administration lawyers and that he was not playing to his base on the left. In all fairness, of course Obama officials knew the release of the 'torture memos' would provoke a major public discussion. Mr. Gibbs deferred to the Justice Department and the Congress for such formal initiatives, but did unequivocally state that what ever you call it, it has made us less safe.
Presidential Historian Doris Kearns Godwin, later in the program, that the President should move forward or risk losing the dialogue with the public. She continued that today we're talking about torture instead of his great speech on tax analysis and the new plan, but since the memos are on the table they can not be ignored.
The one-time Pulitzer Prize winner was thankfully straightened out by another newly-awarded Pulitzer winner sitting to her left, Jon Meacham of Newsweek who respectfully disagreed and said that we should look back in a responsible way analyzing all the aspects and programs employed during the last 7 years including the interrogation techniques to learn from history. 'Great war Presidents have always committed great sins,' he stated.
"How could I go against looking back at history?" Ms. Godwin pleaded as she grabbed his arm. The politics of looking back...
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
4.12.09: Shiver Me Steel Hulls
Outside of the intellectual property definitional context, The New Oxford Shorter Dictionary defines a pirate as 'a person who robs and plunders on or from the sea; gen. a plunderer, a despoiler, a bandit.
Today Meet The Press started with an update from NBC News Pentagon correspondent Jim Miklaszewski and the chief executive officer of the U.S. Naval Institute, Major General Tom Wilkerson in regard to the fate of Captain Richard Phillips who is at this moment being held prison by Somali Pirates. There's been a daring escape attempt, gun fire, blockades, investigation, debriefings, and now stalemate. Bottom line is that we want our man back, but the conversation only touched on the larger issue of Somalia as a failed state, and more importantly neglected to discuss this is much larger terms, the fact that this is a problem the global community is not addressing as a collective. We realize that corporations who own the ships are being attacked and not countries per se; however, these bandits don't discriminate internationally and after 66 ships and $88 million dollars, where does it stop? Well, these Somali pirates were stopped today by the U.S. Navy who have rescued Capt. Philips. Way to step it up boys and get the job done, restoring a little faith in the training, patience, and skill of our military personnel. If only our civilian leaders would show the same skills when it comes to hostile encounters. Yet they remain impotent.
And the world has taken notice, most obviously Iran who are in no way giving up their goal of dominating the middle-east and by extension the region's trajectory. They want nuclear capability and they're going to get it. The United States doesn't have the stomach for bombing Iran. Besides, we make the distinction between Iran's population and the disproportionate who rule it. Israel, on the other hand, does not make the distinction between such despoilers and it gives the U.S. the shivers. Again, our impotency to do anything is on display.
We engage Iran with the great anvil of Iraq around our neck (now the most expensive war endeavor since WWII) leaving us without any leverage at all - not to mention that Iraq limits our agility to react to our crises - diplomatically or militarily. As former Washington Post reporter, Robin Wright said, words spoken with sincerity will not necessary changes things. And though there has been a slightly more positive vibe from both sides in the area of engagement, agendas and determination solidified during the Bush Administration's time in office on both sides are too far along for any change of course.
That can also be applied to engaging the Taliban as well, which has also been mentioned. It is helpful to be able to look into the eye of your enemy during a fight, but with any time-tested enemy, you won't be able to see its soul no matter what President Bush once said. They remain the enemy - it's a matter of pragmatism. But as Byron York, Washington Examiner, pointed out, this new approach and the apologist stance taken recently in Europe grated on Republicans like nobody's business, and he felt that it was unnecessary because President Obama could have signaled that without issuing such perceived verbal concessions. He and the Republicans have a point, but they're only half right. The Bush Administration was arrogant because they left an important piece of the puzzle on the table - diplomacy - they never touched it. They were looked at as plunder's of Iraq's oil, using the war on terror as a pretext. However, where they are correct, unfortunately they probably don't realize, is that concessions for terrorists do encourage much more emboldened attacks and should not be granted. The next thing you know, you have a whole new recruitment class of pirates with a bigger boat and more AK47s setting out for the deep water of the Indian Ocean.
Postscript: We'd like to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Easter.
Today Meet The Press started with an update from NBC News Pentagon correspondent Jim Miklaszewski and the chief executive officer of the U.S. Naval Institute, Major General Tom Wilkerson in regard to the fate of Captain Richard Phillips who is at this moment being held prison by Somali Pirates. There's been a daring escape attempt, gun fire, blockades, investigation, debriefings, and now stalemate. Bottom line is that we want our man back, but the conversation only touched on the larger issue of Somalia as a failed state, and more importantly neglected to discuss this is much larger terms, the fact that this is a problem the global community is not addressing as a collective. We realize that corporations who own the ships are being attacked and not countries per se; however, these bandits don't discriminate internationally and after 66 ships and $88 million dollars, where does it stop? Well, these Somali pirates were stopped today by the U.S. Navy who have rescued Capt. Philips. Way to step it up boys and get the job done, restoring a little faith in the training, patience, and skill of our military personnel. If only our civilian leaders would show the same skills when it comes to hostile encounters. Yet they remain impotent.
And the world has taken notice, most obviously Iran who are in no way giving up their goal of dominating the middle-east and by extension the region's trajectory. They want nuclear capability and they're going to get it. The United States doesn't have the stomach for bombing Iran. Besides, we make the distinction between Iran's population and the disproportionate who rule it. Israel, on the other hand, does not make the distinction between such despoilers and it gives the U.S. the shivers. Again, our impotency to do anything is on display.
We engage Iran with the great anvil of Iraq around our neck (now the most expensive war endeavor since WWII) leaving us without any leverage at all - not to mention that Iraq limits our agility to react to our crises - diplomatically or militarily. As former Washington Post reporter, Robin Wright said, words spoken with sincerity will not necessary changes things. And though there has been a slightly more positive vibe from both sides in the area of engagement, agendas and determination solidified during the Bush Administration's time in office on both sides are too far along for any change of course.
That can also be applied to engaging the Taliban as well, which has also been mentioned. It is helpful to be able to look into the eye of your enemy during a fight, but with any time-tested enemy, you won't be able to see its soul no matter what President Bush once said. They remain the enemy - it's a matter of pragmatism. But as Byron York, Washington Examiner, pointed out, this new approach and the apologist stance taken recently in Europe grated on Republicans like nobody's business, and he felt that it was unnecessary because President Obama could have signaled that without issuing such perceived verbal concessions. He and the Republicans have a point, but they're only half right. The Bush Administration was arrogant because they left an important piece of the puzzle on the table - diplomacy - they never touched it. They were looked at as plunder's of Iraq's oil, using the war on terror as a pretext. However, where they are correct, unfortunately they probably don't realize, is that concessions for terrorists do encourage much more emboldened attacks and should not be granted. The next thing you know, you have a whole new recruitment class of pirates with a bigger boat and more AK47s setting out for the deep water of the Indian Ocean.
Postscript: We'd like to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Easter.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
4.5.09: Just Because He's President...
This week all the good and bad events of the week mingled at a global cocktail party, so crowded that they could not stay out of each others way despite trying to occupy opposite sides of the room. The G-20 and the Obama European Trip got a drink thrown in its face by news of another 650,000 plus jobs being lost here at home and a North Korean missile launch.
If you can walk away from any networking scenario having taken a couple names and numbers, you can call it a worthy time even if you don't close any deals. That's how this column would sum up Mr. Obama's European trip. He instilled confidence in the world that the U.S. is, frankly, going to act more level headed from here on out - listen more and attempt to see things from others respective perspectives. Did he get what he wanted? Well, that depends on who you ask. Some would say not at all because we didn't get a deeper commitment from our allies with regard to Afghanistan, nor did we get European governments to commit to more stimulus for the global economy. On the other hand, some would say that considering it was his first trip, it was a great success as he did, in fact, restore some faith in America's ability to lead the world. You can guess which partisans too which stances...
The world felt safe that President Obama would crash the car on the way home. And did we mention that he owns the keys to his own car corporation? Today's first guest, usual kudos to Betsy Fischer (executive producer), Fritz Henderson, the new installed CEO of General Motors, on the program this Sunday in the wake of this friend and mentor, Rick Wagoner, being ousted, essentially by Mr. Obama. With a few exceptions, Mr. Henderson's answers offered no real substance, but his posture did tell the story. He's been house-broken for certain, speaking in a conciliatory tone, accepting of every assertion Mr. Greogory made with regard to the Government taking over. For example, on the issue of bankruptcy, Mr. Henderson conceded that if it was needed, it would be done. When asked about specific mistakes that GM has made over the years, he didn't give any specifics. When questioned about a perceived double standard for the auto industry versus the financial sector, he prudently said that he wasn't going to focus on others, just how to make GM better. (That's good Fritz, here's another Scooby Snack...)
Ok, we kid but when he was asked why his salary wouldn't be the same as his predecessor's, $1, he flatly stated that he makes $1.3 Million. This column's immediate reaction was probably the same as everyone else's who was watching - that's a reasonable amount for the CEO of GM. And lastly, what we found very heartening is that when asked if he people to receive special incentives to buy GM, he said no. He wants GM to compete on a level playing field where it forces him and the company he leads to produce cars that consumers really want - respond to their preferences. Whether he knows it or not, Mr. Henderson instilled the spirit of what it is to be American into GM with that statement. But just because he's the chief and he said, it doesn't necessarily make it so.
This leads us to the panel discussion with Fmr. speechwriter to Pres. Bush, Michael Gerson; CNBC's John Harwood; BBC's Katty Kay; author Joshua Cooper Ramo; and Fmr. Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Labor, Dr. Bill Rodgers. And we'll start with a statement from Mr. Obama - paraphrasing - just because Barack Hussein Obama was elected President, that alone doesn't make us safe [from Al Qaeda]. However, just because of the fact that Mr. Obama is President, our minimal optimism that things will turn around is buoyed.
All cute metaphors aside, Mr. Harwood made a key point, and that is with regard to the firing of Rick Wagoner - it's the riskiest decision that President Obama has made to date. The recession, Iraq, and Afghanistan (at least not yet) are not his, but GM and the auto industry are now sitting up on cinder blocks in his backyard.
Just because he's President did get the attention of other world leaders and that can not be underestimated because as all the attention draws toward economic issues, North Korea launches a missile bellyaching for attention and newly installed Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu is making subtle preemptive statement with regard to Iran. Mr. Obama is going to have to capitalize on the confidence he instilled in the other world leaders to help him with a globally levelheaded approach to international crises. However, just because he's president, doesn't make us safe from Al Qaeda, again he said it, and by extension, just because his administration does use the phrase 'war on terror,' there are still acute and opaque wars going on. This column tries to keep its cynicism measured, but we have to agree with Mr. Gerson. [Aside: Mr. Gerson is a former speechwriter for President Bush. Despite this, the column found his views on today's program quite practical versus simply idealogical, which more accurately reflected the posture of the man he worked for. He actually made the point today that if it is necessary for the government to run some of these companies, they should. (Wow!)] The phrase,War on Terror has been replace with the O.C.O., Overseas Contingency Operation. To Mr. Gerson it sounded as though we 'looking for luggage' or something. We totally agree - only a wonky Democrat could come up with a stupid label like that.
John Harwood of CNBC summarized that maybe Mr. Obama didn't score this week, but he is moving the ball down the field and he's not turning it over. However, in this game, the red zone doesn't start on the other team's 20 yard line, it starts on Mr. Obama's 1 yard line and it's first and goal with 99 to go. And if by chance he does fall down and fumble the ball, the world may still think that everything is all right. Because why? Because he's President.
If you can walk away from any networking scenario having taken a couple names and numbers, you can call it a worthy time even if you don't close any deals. That's how this column would sum up Mr. Obama's European trip. He instilled confidence in the world that the U.S. is, frankly, going to act more level headed from here on out - listen more and attempt to see things from others respective perspectives. Did he get what he wanted? Well, that depends on who you ask. Some would say not at all because we didn't get a deeper commitment from our allies with regard to Afghanistan, nor did we get European governments to commit to more stimulus for the global economy. On the other hand, some would say that considering it was his first trip, it was a great success as he did, in fact, restore some faith in America's ability to lead the world. You can guess which partisans too which stances...
The world felt safe that President Obama would crash the car on the way home. And did we mention that he owns the keys to his own car corporation? Today's first guest, usual kudos to Betsy Fischer (executive producer), Fritz Henderson, the new installed CEO of General Motors, on the program this Sunday in the wake of this friend and mentor, Rick Wagoner, being ousted, essentially by Mr. Obama. With a few exceptions, Mr. Henderson's answers offered no real substance, but his posture did tell the story. He's been house-broken for certain, speaking in a conciliatory tone, accepting of every assertion Mr. Greogory made with regard to the Government taking over. For example, on the issue of bankruptcy, Mr. Henderson conceded that if it was needed, it would be done. When asked about specific mistakes that GM has made over the years, he didn't give any specifics. When questioned about a perceived double standard for the auto industry versus the financial sector, he prudently said that he wasn't going to focus on others, just how to make GM better. (That's good Fritz, here's another Scooby Snack...)
Ok, we kid but when he was asked why his salary wouldn't be the same as his predecessor's, $1, he flatly stated that he makes $1.3 Million. This column's immediate reaction was probably the same as everyone else's who was watching - that's a reasonable amount for the CEO of GM. And lastly, what we found very heartening is that when asked if he people to receive special incentives to buy GM, he said no. He wants GM to compete on a level playing field where it forces him and the company he leads to produce cars that consumers really want - respond to their preferences. Whether he knows it or not, Mr. Henderson instilled the spirit of what it is to be American into GM with that statement. But just because he's the chief and he said, it doesn't necessarily make it so.
This leads us to the panel discussion with Fmr. speechwriter to Pres. Bush, Michael Gerson; CNBC's John Harwood; BBC's Katty Kay; author Joshua Cooper Ramo; and Fmr. Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Labor, Dr. Bill Rodgers. And we'll start with a statement from Mr. Obama - paraphrasing - just because Barack Hussein Obama was elected President, that alone doesn't make us safe [from Al Qaeda]. However, just because of the fact that Mr. Obama is President, our minimal optimism that things will turn around is buoyed.
All cute metaphors aside, Mr. Harwood made a key point, and that is with regard to the firing of Rick Wagoner - it's the riskiest decision that President Obama has made to date. The recession, Iraq, and Afghanistan (at least not yet) are not his, but GM and the auto industry are now sitting up on cinder blocks in his backyard.
Just because he's President did get the attention of other world leaders and that can not be underestimated because as all the attention draws toward economic issues, North Korea launches a missile bellyaching for attention and newly installed Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu is making subtle preemptive statement with regard to Iran. Mr. Obama is going to have to capitalize on the confidence he instilled in the other world leaders to help him with a globally levelheaded approach to international crises. However, just because he's president, doesn't make us safe from Al Qaeda, again he said it, and by extension, just because his administration does use the phrase 'war on terror,' there are still acute and opaque wars going on. This column tries to keep its cynicism measured, but we have to agree with Mr. Gerson. [Aside: Mr. Gerson is a former speechwriter for President Bush. Despite this, the column found his views on today's program quite practical versus simply idealogical, which more accurately reflected the posture of the man he worked for. He actually made the point today that if it is necessary for the government to run some of these companies, they should. (Wow!)] The phrase,War on Terror has been replace with the O.C.O., Overseas Contingency Operation. To Mr. Gerson it sounded as though we 'looking for luggage' or something. We totally agree - only a wonky Democrat could come up with a stupid label like that.
John Harwood of CNBC summarized that maybe Mr. Obama didn't score this week, but he is moving the ball down the field and he's not turning it over. However, in this game, the red zone doesn't start on the other team's 20 yard line, it starts on Mr. Obama's 1 yard line and it's first and goal with 99 to go. And if by chance he does fall down and fumble the ball, the world may still think that everything is all right. Because why? Because he's President.
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