Rice thinks the matter can be settled this week. In the meantime, Israel expands the ground war and continues to bomb Lebanon, the UN can't get the leaders of the world to meet to try to resolve the crisis, Syria is getting its army ready. She really has faith in the face of what is shaping up as a disaster. What is that attribute called?
Haaretz says she's right! Let's hope so.
Update August 1 at 10 am:
Now Haaretz has changed the headline and some of the content of the article referenced above so that it is not, by any means, as optimistic as it was last night.
Monday, July 31, 2006
A Voice of Reason
Michel Aoun, former prime minister of Lebanon and commander of the Lebanese army, writes in today's Wall Street Journal of his belief that, sooner or later, the parties engaged in today's war will have to sit around a table and negotiate. Beginning such negotiations now rather than later will mean fewer casualties.
Aoun contends that the basic problem is the differing world views of the protagonists. He argues that we have to "change the basis upon which problems are judged...to one based on universal and unarguable principles", the first of which is the sanctity of all human life, yours and your enemy's.
Aoun has negotiated successfully with Hezbollah without selling his soul or that of his followers. He claims that the issue of an armed Hezbollah can be resolved if Lebanese prisoners are freed from Israeli jails, Shebaa Farms is returned to Israel and the establishment of "a strong national army and central state decision-making authority in which all political groups are assured a fair opportunity to participate". But, of course, he asks that Lebanon be protected from Israeli attacks.
Lebanon has a strangely comprised government in that power is allocated among various religious groups; the President must be a Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister a Sunni, the Speaker a Shia and the number of seats in the legislative assembly are allocated on a religious basis also. Aoun feels that this system results in a government with the powers of a two-third majority, yet one that is elected by one-third of the people. This has resulted in the inability of the government to manage Southern Lebanon. So, Aoun also wants the elction laws changed.
He makes some good points.
Aoun contends that the basic problem is the differing world views of the protagonists. He argues that we have to "change the basis upon which problems are judged...to one based on universal and unarguable principles", the first of which is the sanctity of all human life, yours and your enemy's.
Aoun has negotiated successfully with Hezbollah without selling his soul or that of his followers. He claims that the issue of an armed Hezbollah can be resolved if Lebanese prisoners are freed from Israeli jails, Shebaa Farms is returned to Israel and the establishment of "a strong national army and central state decision-making authority in which all political groups are assured a fair opportunity to participate". But, of course, he asks that Lebanon be protected from Israeli attacks.
Lebanon has a strangely comprised government in that power is allocated among various religious groups; the President must be a Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister a Sunni, the Speaker a Shia and the number of seats in the legislative assembly are allocated on a religious basis also. Aoun feels that this system results in a government with the powers of a two-third majority, yet one that is elected by one-third of the people. This has resulted in the inability of the government to manage Southern Lebanon. So, Aoun also wants the elction laws changed.
He makes some good points.
Not exactly closing down Guantanamo
Despite the President's statement that he would "like to close" the Guantanamo prison, a new prison is being built there by, naturally, a subsidiary of Halliburton. This prison will house 200 inmates and will cost only $30,000,000 to build. That's $150,000 per inmate. I wonder how much it will cost to run the place annually.
Of course, talking about costs ignores the question of justice and the perception of the US by other countries. After all, we've only formally charged ten of the hundreds of inmates that have been imprisoned there and the Supreme Court has dismissed the administration's contention that military tribunals are constitutional.
Yes, all administrations lie. But, has any lied as much and as often as this one?
Of course, talking about costs ignores the question of justice and the perception of the US by other countries. After all, we've only formally charged ten of the hundreds of inmates that have been imprisoned there and the Supreme Court has dismissed the administration's contention that military tribunals are constitutional.
Yes, all administrations lie. But, has any lied as much and as often as this one?
Sunday, July 30, 2006
At last, a suit
The father of a dead Marine whose funeral was desecrated by the idiots of the Westboro Baptist Church is suing the church for invasion of privacy, defamation of character and emotional distress. After protesting at the funeral, here is what they posted on their web site about the father: "taught Matthew to defy his Creator, to divorce, and to commit adultery," and "raised him for the devil". To read more click here.
I hope he bankrupts this so-called church.
I hope he bankrupts this so-called church.
Now come the junior moguls
Or should I say the parents who want their kids to be junior moguls? Some parents send their 9 - 11 year-olds to BizCamp, a summer camp run by Junior Achievement. Now, I think Junior Achievement is a good thing for high school students. But having a 9-year-old spend a week learning how to sell ads, pay bank loans, to make a company profitable? That is criminal. A 9-year-old should spend the summer doing nothing but fooling around, trying different things on his/her own, exploring his world at his - dare I say it - leisure.
We have parents who think their child is the next Eli Manning; schools that pay kids to attend; parents who accompany their kids on job interviews; parents who carry signs advertising the marriageability of their children. Will these parents ever grow up?
I really am an old fart.
We have parents who think their child is the next Eli Manning; schools that pay kids to attend; parents who accompany their kids on job interviews; parents who carry signs advertising the marriageability of their children. Will these parents ever grow up?
I really am an old fart.
Irony of ironies
Tip O'Neill was such a major sponsor of The Big Dig that one of the tunnels is named after him. Unfortunately, as we are well aware, the construction and the management of the construction of that tunnel was not the best. Bechtel Corp., as the primary contractor, bears the brunt of the blame. Come to find out that O'Neill's son, who is also named Thomas P., is one of the lobbyists for Bechtel.
O'Neill fils has represented the company for a while. Since Bechtel was also a customer of mine, I can understand why he would have done so. Twenty-five years ago when I sold some software to the company, they were known as a top-notch engineering firm and they paid their bills on time. So, they were good as a reference and good for the cash flow.
Obviously, Bechtel has changed considerably. They not only screwed up in Boston, but it appears that they have screwed up in Iraq and who knows where else. It's sad.
O'Neill fils has represented the company for a while. Since Bechtel was also a customer of mine, I can understand why he would have done so. Twenty-five years ago when I sold some software to the company, they were known as a top-notch engineering firm and they paid their bills on time. So, they were good as a reference and good for the cash flow.
Obviously, Bechtel has changed considerably. They not only screwed up in Boston, but it appears that they have screwed up in Iraq and who knows where else. It's sad.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Another black mark for Bechtel
Bechtel Corporation, a leading engineering firm, was the primary contractor on Boston's Big Dig. If you've been following my postings on that subject, you'll agree that they did a really crappy job - over budget, late and work that resulted in one death, several floods and other problems. Now comes word from Iraq of similar management problems.
The Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, Stuart Bowen, has released his latest audit. This one covers AID and its primary contractor, Bechtel. Put simply, some of the reports filed by AID were deliberately misleading, primarily as to the allocation of costs. For example, the construction budget for a hospital was $50,000,000, however the cost will approach $98,000,000. Yet, AID told Congress that the cost would be $50,000,000. Another example: the direct cost of a building a power station was $6,600,000, the indirect cost was $27,600,000, or four times the direct costs. Conversely, an electricity project came in at $164,300,000 of direct costs and $1,400,000 of indirect costs, or less than 1% of direct costs. What game was AID playing?
It was not only dollars that were misallocated. In March Bechtel reported that the hospital project was nine months late; in April AID told Congress that there were no scheduling problems.
The Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, Stuart Bowen, has released his latest audit. This one covers AID and its primary contractor, Bechtel. Put simply, some of the reports filed by AID were deliberately misleading, primarily as to the allocation of costs. For example, the construction budget for a hospital was $50,000,000, however the cost will approach $98,000,000. Yet, AID told Congress that the cost would be $50,000,000. Another example: the direct cost of a building a power station was $6,600,000, the indirect cost was $27,600,000, or four times the direct costs. Conversely, an electricity project came in at $164,300,000 of direct costs and $1,400,000 of indirect costs, or less than 1% of direct costs. What game was AID playing?
It was not only dollars that were misallocated. In March Bechtel reported that the hospital project was nine months late; in April AID told Congress that there were no scheduling problems.
Watch what you say in Russia
Slandering a public official will bring you three years in the slammer. You'll pay a fine if you say "dollar" instead of "ruble". And don't mention the name of the National Bolshevik Party. It seems like old times.
Time is on the side of death
Israel has rejected a UN call for a three-day truce. Israel claims that there is a humanitarian corridor open which can be used to ferry supplies to thise trapped in Lebanon. However, today's news on NPR announced that the Israelis do not guarantee the safety of this corridor.
Why the UN has to wait until Monday to meet on this crisis is beyond me. How many people will die, be maimed, suffer this weekend is unknown, but there will be some.
Why the UN has to wait until Monday to meet on this crisis is beyond me. How many people will die, be maimed, suffer this weekend is unknown, but there will be some.
Mario's back in the game
Mario Gabelli will be allowed to participate in the upcoming FCC auction of space on the nation's airwaves. His deal with the FCC did not bar him from participating in future auctions. However, this time around he will not be getting the small business discount that he got in previous auctions.
It will be interesting to see how he does, as there are over 150 bidders in this auction.
It will be interesting to see how he does, as there are over 150 bidders in this auction.
Friday, July 28, 2006
A picture is worth....
The two flags on the bottom of the right side are those of the UK and the US. They join Israel in not recommending an immediate cease-fire.
A BBC correspondent, Jim Muir, has been covering Lebanon for more than thirty years. His two articles do not support the current actions of the US and he offers a number of reasons why we are making what may turn our to be an error worse than attacking Iraq. Read the first article and then the second.
And then, according to the NY Times, you have the Arab leaders who had denounced Hezbollah backtracking in light of the continued hostilities. Israel and the US bet that Hezbollah would crack quickly. That does not appear to be happening. The wise man re-thinks his strategy.
We can't call all the shots
Not even in the Western Hemisphere any longer. In May we 'prohibited' the sale of arms to Venezuela. Many nations agreed to abide by our 'edict'. Russia, however, has decided to sell 100,000 Kalashnikovs as well as 30 helicopters and 30 fighter planes to Venezuela.
This is just one more example of Russia's return to the world stage. Certainly, that return has been bolstered by Russia's energy resources. However, the word in Moscow is that the deal with Venezuela is primarily a 'tit-for-tat' whereby Russia is getting even with the US for supporting former Soviet states that now oppose Russia. Apparently, Putin was miffed that we had invited the president of Georgia to the White House just prior to the G-8 conference in Moscow.
This is just one more example of Russia's return to the world stage. Certainly, that return has been bolstered by Russia's energy resources. However, the word in Moscow is that the deal with Venezuela is primarily a 'tit-for-tat' whereby Russia is getting even with the US for supporting former Soviet states that now oppose Russia. Apparently, Putin was miffed that we had invited the president of Georgia to the White House just prior to the G-8 conference in Moscow.
What's a mere 16 years?
That's how long it's been since the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments were passed. Yet, the EPA has not been able to fully implement the amendments and they still don't have a plan as to how they will do so, how much it wil cost or what the benefits will be. The GAO recently issued a report on EPA's efforts to do their job relative to the law. The EPA has not done well.
Here are a few excerpts from the GAO report:
Here are a few excerpts from the GAO report:
- Major aspects of the program have still not been addressed.
- Many of the requirements pertain to limiting emissions from small stationary and mobile sources, which collectively account for most emissions of air toxics.
- The program's agenda is largely set by external stakeholders who file litigation when the agency misses deadlines.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Nuclear Bombs for India?
Foreign Policy has a divergent view of the recent deal between India and the U.S. relative to nuclear materials. Here are some of the concerns expressed:
- India decides which reactors are for civilian, which for military purposes. India will now be able to increase its bomb production capacity from 7 to maybe 50 each year.
- India has reneged on previous nuclear contracts with the U.S. and Canada. It has transferred nuclear materials to Iran. It has a deal with Iran for natural gas.
- Part of the raison d'etre of the deal is to bolster India's serving as a counterweight to China. China will soon be India's #1 trading partner, displacing the U.S.
- We're basing our relationship on nuclear materials, rather than education, science, etc. as well as supporting a country that has not signed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
The Signs Do Not Look Good
The G-8 Summit
The Doha/WTO Trade Talks
The Rome Meeting on Lebanon/Israel.
All failures. Is agreement on anything substantive still possible?
The Doha/WTO Trade Talks
The Rome Meeting on Lebanon/Israel.
All failures. Is agreement on anything substantive still possible?
The political picture is heating up
On the day when hearings begin to oust the Turnpike Authority chairman, Matthew Amorello, the Boston Globe publishes a story about the authority's most recent bond issues (those since March 2005). It seems that the prospectus for these issues state that the tunnels are the subject of ongoing safety examinations. One problem with that assurance: only one examination had been conducted since March 2005 and that was on a single tunnel.
From Romney's press release on March 15, 2005, announcing the bond issue:
From Romney's press release on March 15, 2005, announcing the bond issue:
"As governor, I have a responsibility to all the people when it comes to public safety. My job now is to assure that the tunnels are safe and to take whatever steps are necessary to put in place responsible management at the Turnpike Authority."Tell that to Mina delValle.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Sounds Familiar
Okay, the Wall Street Journal is supposed to be a business paper, but today's edition had a very interesting - and dispiriting - take on the goings on in Lebanon. It sounded like the US in Iraq.
The Israeli military is convinced that their overwhelming military superiority will vanquish Hezbollah. Some Israeli leaders are already saying that more troops are needed. There is talk of establishing a secure zone in southern Lebanon. But despite destroying Lebanon's infrastructure and killing about 400 civilians, this militarily superior force has yet to make much progress on the ground. Hezbollah vanishes before they can really be defeated in any one battle.
As the war sounds very much like Iraq, so do the questions of what happens if Israel wins. Will the Lebanese government be able to do much in restoring their country? Will a decade-long occupation be needed? Will Hezbollah emerge from their caves if Israel leaves? Will the people of the ravaged lands and the people of the world be better off?
We entered Iraq to bring democracy to the Middle East. Israel entered Lebanon to exterminate Hezbollah. They may both be worthy goals. Unfortunately, they are goals set by a powerful military, not goals set by the residents.
The Israeli military is convinced that their overwhelming military superiority will vanquish Hezbollah. Some Israeli leaders are already saying that more troops are needed. There is talk of establishing a secure zone in southern Lebanon. But despite destroying Lebanon's infrastructure and killing about 400 civilians, this militarily superior force has yet to make much progress on the ground. Hezbollah vanishes before they can really be defeated in any one battle.
As the war sounds very much like Iraq, so do the questions of what happens if Israel wins. Will the Lebanese government be able to do much in restoring their country? Will a decade-long occupation be needed? Will Hezbollah emerge from their caves if Israel leaves? Will the people of the ravaged lands and the people of the world be better off?
We entered Iraq to bring democracy to the Middle East. Israel entered Lebanon to exterminate Hezbollah. They may both be worthy goals. Unfortunately, they are goals set by a powerful military, not goals set by the residents.
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