Andrew Hagen

Congress and the White House have refused to deal with each other in passing an update to US foreign surveillance law. Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and George W. Bush might hate each other, but right now, for the good of the country, they need to put down their pop guns and work together on a key bill that transcends political differences.

The newly drafted bill under consideration in Congress allows the US to listen in on foreign terrorist conversations. Advances in technology including computers and cell phones means that the prior legislation, enacted decades ago, is out-of-date. The proposed legislation enacts many powerful new protections against governmental abuse to benefit the privacy of US citizens, including those abroad. Congress will be kept regularly and fully informed through the Intelligence Committee. Separate bills have passed the House and Senate. Yet, there is no bill on the President’s desk to sign. As a result, the temporary legislation that preceded these bills has now expired. Harry Reid, George W. Bush, and above all, Nancy Pelosi have failed. Now our ability to stop terrorist activity lies in shambles. Harry Reid, George W. Bush, and Nancy Pelosi have been selfish in aggrandizing their own political positions no matter what the cost. Apparently they think that risking another 9/11 is worth it if they can whip up their political bases for the November elections. Sickening.

We are presently engaged in a dire struggle to stop suicide bombs and terrorist attacks. A few hours ago, we let our guard down for no reason. We cannot let the violence of Iraq, reduced as it is since the surge, spread to the US.

The claimed sticking point is whether telecommunications companies should have protection from lawsuits for helping the government listen in on terrorists in the days after 9/11. They should have that immunity. Yet, some have suggested that business and government must not cooperate or we risk fascism. A little history suffices to remedy any misconception. Business and government cooperated extensively in World War II. Without that, the US would not have achieved victory over fascism. In prior years, FDR attempted to spark extensive business-government cooperation in the New Deal, but FDR is not considered a fascist. Business and government often cooperate. Cooperation is not ipso facto tyrannical. The desire for freedom concerns itself with abuses of power. We have First Amendment freedoms in America today and free elections coming up that undermine any claim that our government is fascist.

There is no record of any serious abuse of power in terrorist surveillance in the days after 9/11. US agencies were not exploiting the new cooperation with telecoms after 9/11 to dig up dirt on Americans by listening to their phone calls, like East Germany would have done. There is every indication that our intelligence services acted in good faith at that time. There is no evidence that any telecom company betrayed its customers. In the days after 9/11 we were all worried about more attacks that would kill thousands at a time. There is no evidence that any American’s privacy was invaded by foreign surveillance. If that did happen, it would have been a regrettable mistake, yet forgivable in the immediate days following 9/11. The telecoms were trying to do the right thing for the good of our country.

Benjamin Franklin wisely said, “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” A temporary and minor reduction in privacy was justified by a threat that became real on 9/11. Now we have new legislation to permanently protect our privacy and liberties and provide a cornerstone for our future security. We need not punish telecoms who acted in good faith in the meantime. We deserve both liberty and security.

To forestall continued squabbling, might I suggest a compromise bill? Make the telecoms liable during that period if they did not act in good faith. If they did act in good faith, grant them amnesty. This compromise is a last resort.

Contrary to what conservatives are saying, trial lawyers are not fighting FISA. Maybe civil rights lawyers like the ACLU are currently in the dark and are fighting the update to FISA for no good reason. Trial lawyers are not against this change, even though it grants limited immunity to an industry. In this case, the protections afforded to our lives, liberty, and privacy justify the result.

Give the telecoms amnesty as per the Senate bill. Pass the legislation. Stop playing chicken with American security.

Step back for a second. Is fighting terrorism a war? If not, fighting terrorism is a law enforcement action. Regardless of one’s opinion, it is plain that we cannot stop terrorism unless we give the right tools to either law enforcement or the military–take your pick. One necessary tool against foreign terrorists is foreign surveillance. Congress has put together an adequate bill. Now it is time to make it law.

In the wake of a horrifying massacre, a very strange fact has come to light. Two days ago, acting in pure evil, Cho Seung-Hui, a South Korean citizen and student at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (”Virginia Tech”) in Blacksburg, Virginia, murdered 32 people on campus and wounded dozens more.

Yesterday, ABC News released a long report on its web site. Today, Americablog.com raised a highly alarming question based on that ABC News report. Below the “A ‘Troubled’ Young Man” sub-heading, the ABC News report stated:

Some news accounts have suggested that Cho had a history of antidepressant use, but senior federal officials tell ABC News that they can find no record of such medication in the government’s files. This does not completely rule out prescription drug use, including samples from a physician, drugs obtained through illegal Internet sources, or a gap in the federal database, but the sources say theirs is a reasonably complete search.

Americablog.com has played this as “The Bushies” trying to spy on America. More likely, however, is that this database pre-existed the presidency of George W. Bush.

A few points. First, it was an accidental release. If ABC News was going to announce the database on purpose they would have done so in a carefully crafted “special report” seemingly designed to alleviate Americans’ fears about their constitutional rights.

Second, ABC seems to have known about the database before the April 17 report. If that is true, they should admit it and state why they kept the secret rather than doing the journalistically responsible thing and report it.

Third, I would like to entertain the possibility that there is some law passed by Congress that grants the government the right to keep such a database, but unfortunately, I have fallen into a deeply skeptical camp against that scenario. For example, HIPAA does not provide for such a database. If this database is actually legal under HIPAA, then HIPAA is a total failure of a law.

Fourth, the full details of this database must be made public immediately.

The government does not own us. This database makes no sense except as part of the general project of extending government control further and further into the lives of the people.

This site is in the midst of changes. Wordpress was upgraded to one of the latest versions. I’m going to change the layout.

Due to blog spam, comments are disabled, except on just a few posts. I’m moving it to a different web host, which may result in uneven operation for the next few days.

A consumer struggle for toys in which young people stand in line for days outside of toy shops for a “Playstation 3″ has now spilled over to the political realm.

Democratic 2004 VP nominee and possible 2008 presidential candidate John Edwards has been helping to lead the “Wakeup Wal-Mart” campaign for worker’s rights. As recently as November 14th, Edwards was on a national conference call for supporters of the campaign. (*)

On November 16th, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., made a press release. It said: (†)

Even Presidential Candidates Agree: Wal-Mart is the Best Place to Shop for Hot Electronics Items this Christmas Season

BENTONVILLE, Ark. – Nov. 16, 2006 – Just like the millions of Americans who turn to their neighborhood Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) for their holiday shopping needs, Wal-Mart announced today that former Sen. John Edwards is seeking to be one of the first to get a Sony PlayStation3, one of the most coveted holiday gift items this Christmas season.

Yesterday, a staff person for former Sen. Edwards contacted a Wal-Mart electronics manager in Raleigh, North Carolina to obtain a Sony PlayStation3 on behalf of the Senator’s family. Later that night, Sen. Edwards reportedly re-told a homespun story to participants of a United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union-sponsored call about how his son had chided a fellow student for purchasing shoes at Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart welcomes Sen. Edwards to visit his local Wal-Mart store and explore the extensive line of home electronics as well the wide array of apparel for men and boys.

The Company noted the PlayStation3 is an extremely popular item this Christmas season, and while the rest of America’s working families are waiting patiently in line, Senator Edwards wants to cut to the front. While, we cannot guarantee that Sen. Edwards will be among one of the first to obtain a PlayStation3, we are certain Sen. Edwards will be able to find great gifts for everyone on his Christmas list – many at Wal-Mart’s “roll-back prices. . . .”

Although Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. put a gloss of trumpeting their stores by referencing John Edwards as someone who shops there, it is plain that Wal-Mart has a political motive to push this story to the media and even to exaggerate or distort it for their own end. Wal-Mart fears the campaign for worker’s rights, even putting up its own web site at walmartfacts.com to defend the corporation in the media.

Edwards spoke to the media, including the Raleigh News Observer. (‡) He told them that a volunteer staffer overheard that the Edwardses were looking for the toy for their six-year-old son. The young volunteer freelanced and contacted the local Wal-Mart, referencing the name John Edwards. The volunteer didn’t know how Wal-Mart was criticized by Edwards. Edwards stated the volunteer made a mistake using his name. Edwards told the Associated Press that this is an attempt by Wal-Mart “to divert attention from its own problems.” (§)

Opinion colunist Dave Johnson has diagnosed this kerfuffle as a political smear by Wal-Mart. (**) I agree. He stated Wal-Mart should possibly have its right to operate revoked. I disagree.

While Wal-Mart’s action here was both arrogant and deceitful, John Edwards has not handled this strategically. He should have immediately published a press release of his own on his web site, johnedwards.com. Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign strategy of a “war room” that fires back press releases as soon as criticism of the candidate is made should be something that all presidential candidates take as their field manual. In today’s era of 24-7 news and the Internet, you need to speak directly to the people, and attack lies immediately. A direct press release to the web would also allow web loggers to quote the politician’s campaign directly without worrying about plagiaraizing a journalist or violating the copyright of a news service. Furthermore, as a matter of leadership, John Edwards needs to do a better job of communicating with his staff so they are fully aware of his political convictions so they can best assist him effecuating his public campaigns.

Finally, John Edwards should take a page from the playbook of another successful politician. While I don’t agree with some of Jimmy Carter’s policies, Carter left an indelible impression on the public that he was first and foremost their servant. Carter did not expect any favors or gifts as a result of his presidency. Carter famously carried his own luggage during the 1976 campaign. Edwards has not left that kind of an impression with the public, unfortunately. A candidate fighting for “working families” would do well to work harder to live up to Carter’s standard. Although Edwards rightly called the volunteer’s action a “mistake,” the fact is that a volunteer close to Edwards gained the impression that Edwards was owed something by the general public. That is a sign that the ducks are not all in a row at the nascent Edwards campaign.

Wal-Mart’s embittered slap at John Edwards will likely cost them more goodwill. But can John Edwards straighten out his disorganized campaign? I believe he can, but I don’t know if he has the will to do it.

One thing is for sure. The 2008 presidential race is on, and it is no video game.

Nouri al-Maliki, democratically elected Prime Minister of Iraq, speaking from the floor of the the Congress of the United States, Washington, DC. (*)

(Extended Applause.) In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Your Excellency the speaker of the House, Mr. Vice President, honorable ladies and gentlemen, members of Congress, it is with great pleasure that I am able to take this opportunity to be the first democratically and constitutionally elected prime minister of Iraq to address you, the elected representatives of the American people. And I thank you for affording me this unique chance to speak at this respected assembly.

Let me begin by thanking the American people, through you, on behalf of the Iraqi people, for supporting our people in ousting dictatorship. Iraq will not forget those who stood with her – with him and who continues to stand with her in times of need. (Applause.)

Thank you for your continued resolve in helping us fight the terrorists plaguing Iraq, which is a struggle to defend our nascent democracy and our people who aspire to liberty, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

All of those are not Western values; they are universal values for humanity. (Applause.) They are as much for me the pinnacle embodiment of my faith and religion, and they are for all free spirits.

The war on terror is a real war against those who wish to burn out the flame of freedom, and we are in this vanguard for defending the values of humanity. (Applause.)

I know that some of you here question whether Iraq is part of the war on terror. Let me be very clear — this is a battle between true Islam, for which a person’s liberty and rights constitute essential cornerstones, and terrorism, which wraps itself in a fake Islamic cloak; in reality, wages a war on Islam and Muslims and values — (applause) — and spreads hatred between humanity.

Contrary to what’s come in our Koran, which says we have created of you — of male and female and made you tribes and families that you know each other, surely noblist of you in the sight of God is the best conduct. The truth is that terrorism has no religion. Our faith say that who kills an innocent as it has killed all mankind. Thousands of lives were tragically lost in September 11th, where — when these imposters of Islam reared their ugly head. Thousands more continue to die in Iraq today at the hands of the same terrorists who show complete disregard for human life.

Your loss on that day was the loss of all mankind, and our loss today is loss for all free people. (Applause.)

And wherever human kind suffers a loss at the hands of terrorists, it is a loss of all humanity. It is your duty and our duty to defeat this terror. Iraq is the front line is this struggle, and history will prove that the sacrifices of Iraqis for freedom will not be in vain. Iraqis are your allies in the war on terror. (Applause.)

And history will record their bravery and humanity. The fate of our country and yours is tied. Should democracy be allowed to fail in Iraq and terror permitted to triumph, then the war on terror will never be won elsewhere.

Mr. Speaker, we are building the new Iraq on the foundation of democracy, and are erecting it through our belief in the rights of every individual, just as Saddam has destroyed it through his abuse of all those rights, so that future Iraqi generations can live in peace, prosperity and hope. Iraqis have tasted freedom, and we will defend it absolutely. (Applause.)

Every human possesses inalienable rights which transcend religion, as it is stated in the International Convention of Human Rights. They transcend religion, race and gender, and God says in the Koran, and surely we have honored all children of Adam.

I believe these human rights are not an artifact construct reserved for the few; they are the divine entitlement for all. (Applause.) And it is on this unwavering belief that we are determined to build our nation, a land whose people are free, whose air is liberty, and where the rule of law is supreme.

This is the new Iraq, which is emerging from the ashes of dictatorship, and despite the carnage of extremists, a country which respects international conventions and practices non-interference in the internal affairs of others, relies on dialogue to resolve differences, and strives to develop strong relations with every country that espouses freedom and peace. (Applause.)

We are working diligently so that Iraq returns to take the position it deserves and to play — plays a positive role in its regional and international environment as a key, active player in spreading security and stability, to give an example of positive relationship between countries through denouncement of violence and resorting to constructive dialogue solving problems between nations and peoples.

We have made progress, and we are correcting the damage inflicted by politics of the previous regime, in particular with our neighbors. My presence here is a testament of the new politics of a democratic Iraq. (Applause.)

Ladies and gentlemen, in a short space of time, Iraq has gone from a dictatorship, to a transitional administration, and now to a fully fledged democratic government. This has happened despite the best efforts of the terrorists who are bent on either destroying democracy or Iraq. But by the courage of our people, who defied the terrorists every time they were called upon to make a choice by risking their lives for the ballot box, they have stated over and over again with their inked-stained fingers waving in pride that they will always make the same choice. (Applause.)

Hope over fear –

HECKLER: The Iraqis want the troops to leave! Bring them home now! Iraqis want the troops to leave –

AUDIENCE: Boo!

SPEAKER HASTERT: (Sounds gavel.)

HECKLER: Iraqis want the troops to leave! Bring them home now!

SPEAKER HASTERT: Our guest would suspend for the — a moment. The chair notes a disturbance in the gallery. The sergeant of arms will secure order by removing those engaging in disruption. (Scattered applause.)

HECKLER: Iraqis want the troops to leave! Bring them home now! (Off mike) — bring the troops home now!

(Note: Heckler is removed from the gallery.)

SPEAKER HASTERT: The gentleman may proceed.

PRIME MIN. AL-MALIKI: Hope over fear. Liberty over oppression. Dignity over submission. Democracy over dictatorship. Federalism over a centralist state. Let there be no doubt. Today Iraq is a democracy which stands firm because of the sacrifices of its people and the sacrifices of all those who stood with us in this crisis from nations and countries. (Applause, cheers.)

And that’s why I thank you. I would like to thank them very much for all their sacrifices. Iraqis of all persuasions took part in a unanimously democratic election for the first parliament formed under the country’s first permanent constitution, after eight decades of temporary constitutions and dictatorship, a constitution written by the elected representatives of the people and ratified by the people.

Iraqis succeeded in forming a government of national unity, based on an elected parliamentary foundation and includes all of Iraq’s religions, ethnicities and political groupings.

The journey has been perilous, and the future is not guaranteed. Yet many around the world who — underestimated the resolve of Iraq’s people and were sure that we would never reach this stage. Few believed in us. But you, the American people, did, and we are grateful for this. (Applause.)

The transformation in Iraq can sometimes be forgotten in the daily futile violence. Since liberation we have witnessed great accomplishments in politics, the economy and civil society. We have gone from a one-party state ruled by a small elite to a multi-party system where politics is the domain of every citizen and parties compete at all levels. (Applause.)

What used to be a state-controlled media is now completely free and uncensored — something Iraq had never witnessed since its establishment as a modern state, and something which remains alien to most of the region.

What used to be a command economy in Iraq we are rapidly transforming into a free market economy. In the past three years, our GDP per capita has more than doubled, and it is expected that our economy will continue to grow.

Standards of living have been raised for most Iraqis as the markets witness an unprecedented level of prosperity. Many individuals are buying products and appliances which they would never have hoped to afford in the past.

And in keeping with our economic visions of creating a free market economy, we will be presenting to parliament legislation which will lift current restrictions on foreign companies and investors who wish to come to Iraq. (Applause.)

While we are making great economic strides, the greatest transformation has been on Iraqi society. We have gone from mass graves and torture chambers and chemical weapons to a flourishing — to the rule of law and human rights. And the human rights and freedoms embodied in the new Iraq and consolidated in the constitution have provided a fertile environment for the ever-growing number of civil society institutions — (applause) — which are increasing in scope and complexity and provide a healthy reflection of what is developing beneath the violence.

The rights chartered in the constitution will also help consolidate the role of women in public life as equals to men — (applause) — and help them to play a greater role in political life. (Applause continuing.) I am proud to say that a quarter of Iraq’s Council of Representatives is made up of women. But we still have much to accomplish.

Mr. Speaker, our — Mr. Vice President, our nascent democracy faces numerous challenges and impediments, but our resolve is unbreakable and we will overcome them.

The greatest threat Iraq’s people face is terror, terror inflicted by extremists who value no life and who depend on the fear their wanton murder and destruction creates. They have poured acid into Iraq’s dictatorial wounds and created many of their own.

Iraq is free and the terrorists cannot stand this. They hope to undermine our democratically elected government through the random killing of civilians. They want to destroy Iraq’s future by assassinating our leading scientific, political and community leaders. Above all, they wish to spread fear.

Do not think that this is an Iraqi problem. This terrorist front is a threat to every free country in the world and their citizens. What is at stake is nothing less than our freedom and liberty. Confronting and dealing with this challenge is the responsibility of every liberal democracy that values its freedom. Iraq is the battle that will determine the war. If in continued partnership we have the strength of mind and commitment to defeat the terrorists and their ideology in Iraq, they will never be able to recover. (Applause.)

For the sake of success of the political process, I launched the National Reconciliation Initiative, which aims to draw in groups willing to accept the logic of dialogue and participation. This olive branch has received the backing of Iraq’s parliamentary blocs and support further afield from large segments of the population. I remain determined to see this initiative succeed. But let our enemies not mistake our outstretched hand for forgiveness as a sign of weakness. Whoever chooses violence against the people of Iraq, then the fate that awaits them will be the same that of the terrorist Zarqawi. (Applause.)

While political and economic efforts are essential, defeating terror in Iraq relies fundamentally on the building of sound Iraqi force, both in quantity and capability. The completion of Iraq’s forces forms the necessary basis for the withdrawal of multinational forces, but it — only then, only when Iraq’s forces are fully capable will the job of the multinational forces be complete.

Our Iraqi forces have accomplished much, and have gained a great deal of field experience to eventually enable them to triumph over the terrorists and to take over the security portfolio and extend peace through the country.

The other impediment to Iraq’s stability are the armed militias. I have on many occasions stated my determination to disband all militias, without exception — (applause) — and reestablish a state monopoly on arms, and to guarantee citizens security so that they do not need others to provide it.

It is imperative that the reconstruction starts now. While small sections of central Iraq are unstable, large sections have remained peaceful but ignored for far too long. These were most deprived areas of Iraq under the previous regime, and have been the most valiant in Iraq’s struggle for freedom. We need to make an example out of these stable areas as models for the rest of the country. (Applause.)

Reconstruction projects in these areas will tackle unemployment, which will weaken the terrorists. They will become prototypes for other, more volatile regions (to) aspire to. Undoubtedly, reconstruction in these areas will fuel economic growth and show what a prosperous, stable, democratic and federal Iraq would look like.

Members of the Congress, in this effort, we need your help. We need the help of the international community. Much of the budget you had allocated for Iraq’s reconstruction ended up paying for security firms and foreign companies, whose operating costs were vast.

Instead there needs to be a greater reliance on Iraqis and Iraqi companies, with foreign aid and assistance to help us rebuild Iraq. (Applause.)

We are rebuilding Iraq on a new, solid foundation, that of liberty, hope and equality. Iraq’s democracy is young, but the will of its people is strong. It is because of this spirit and desire to be free that Iraq has taken the opportunity you gave us, and we chose democracy.

We faced tyranny and oppression under the former regime, and we now face a different kind of terror. We did not bow then, and we will not bow now. (Applause.)

I will not allow Iraq to become a launch pad for al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations. I will not — terror rob Iraqis of their hopes and dreams. I will not allow terrorists to dictate to us our future.(Applause.)

For decades we struggled alone for our freedom. In 1991, when Iraqis tried to capitalize on the regime’s momentary weakness and rose up, we were alone again.

The people of Iraq will not forget your continued support as we establish a secure, liberal democracy. Let 1991 never be repeated, for history will be more unforgiving. (Applause.)

The coming few days are difficult and the challenges are considerable. Iraq and America both need each other to defeat the terror engulfing the free world. In partnership, we will be triumphant because we will never be slaves to terror, for God has made us free. (Applause.)

Trust that Iraq will be a grave for terrorism and terrorists. (Applause.) Trust that Iraq will be the graveyard for terrorism and terrorists, for all — for the good of all humanity.

Thank you very much. (Cheers, extended applause.)

Copyright 2006, Federal News Service

Alan Jacobs reflects critically on web logs for lack of intellectual fulfillment. (*) He’s on to something. It’s a medium that some compared to that of the pamphleteers of the American revolution, but which now more closely resembles a mudfight.

Recently, a professor at an American university tacitly threatened a person’s family because of the person’s web log. The professor then resigned her professorship. (†) It is one example of overheated rhetoric crossing the line into the reprehensible. Yet, this sort of thing has happened several times in American political debate lately. The public discourse grows cruder and coarser. It is easy to brush aside concern and state that it was always like this, when it was sometimes but not always like this.

Yet, Jacobs focuses on the technological aspects of web logs as contributing to the sterility of discussion hosted there. Based on my experience of over a decade of Internet-based electronic discussions, I would have to agree. Internet-based intellectual discussions that are deeply fulfilling are rare, more rare than in real life.

Intellectual collaboration does work in some fields, such as computer science. The free and open source software movements have had successful development projects. Many of them, such as OpenBSD, have regular (such as annual) in-person meetings to facilitate the collaboration. These groups have shared goals and shared outlooks. Even they have disputes, which causes the code to be forked. The success in software development has not carried over to academic topics such as English literature.

Kenneth Timmerman, author: Former figurehead widely praised in the West as “moderate,” Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani has been at the center of Iran’s nuclear weapons program since 1985. Additionally, the US can defeat Iran with air power alone. (*)

Debka: Rafsanjani’s current mission is to subtextually threaten Israel with terrorism from Iranian-controlled Palestinian terror groups. (†)

National Review: Rafsanjani the moderate Iranian: “the Muslim world will “vomit [Israel] out from its midst,” since “a single atomic bomb has the power to completely destroy [it].”" Furthermore, the Bush Administration should support labor unions in Iran, says William F. Buckley’s magazine. (‡)

NYT author James Risen: CIA botched operations in 2000, ended up giving Iran a working nuclear weapon plan, and list of all CIA spies in Iran. CIA issued vague denial. (§)

Sidney Zion, columnist: Israeli intelligence thinks the US can destroy Iran’s nuclear arsenal using only conventional weapons. (**)

Liz Cheney heading US group to promote democracy in Iran. (††) (Nepotism?)

US military preparing contingency plans against Iran. (‡‡)

Prior to IAEA chief Elbaradei’s arrival, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: “Our answer to those who are angry about Iran obtaining the full nuclear cycle is one phrase. We say, be angry and die of this anger.” Furthermore, the Arabs are now terrified of Iran, as evidenced by Arab newspaper editorials. (§§)

AFP syndicated in the Australian: Iranian General Hassan Firouzabadi: “When a people master nuclear technology and nuclear fuel, nothing can be done against them. The West can do nothing and is obliged to extend to us the hand of friendship.” (***)

Bill Scher: The Left’s talking points on Iran are: Bush’s evil is causing Iran to seek nukes; Iran is rational; there is time to negotiate; get rid of Bush and Iran will be palsy-walsy. (†††) (Iran’s nuclear program goes back twenty years, according to the United Nations.)

Iranian figurehead Ahmadinejad on 15 March 2006: “One of the main reasons why the big powers oppose Iran on the nuclear issue is for the sake of the Zionist regime, so as to let this regime live on.” (‡‡‡)

Supreme Leader and head dictator of Iran Khamanei on 14 March 2006: no retreat on nuclear issue. (§§§)

Washington Times: China is sending an envoy to Iran and Russia on the issue. (****)

Washington Post: Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, regarding Elbaradei’s proposal to suspend enrichment: “Such proposals are not very important ones.” Elbaradei stood next to Larijani as Larijani said it. (††††)

Michael Ledeen, regarding Iran’s sub rosa war against the US in Iraq, and US proffer to Iran of negotiations on Iraq: “Iran has been at war with us for 27 years, and we have discussed every imaginable subject with them. We have gained nothing, because there is nothing to be gained by talking with an enemy who thinks he is winning. From Khamenei’s standpoint, the only thing to be negotiated is the terms of the American surrender. . . . ” (‡‡‡‡)

Breaking: US military will not attack Iran. Instead, Dick Cheney is going to Tehran with a hunting license. (§§§§)

Cartoons of Islam’s prophet, Mohammed, were printed in a Danish newspaper. An international incident has occurred because many Muslims are offended. Products made in Denmark are being boycotted. Will a fatwa or jihad be next?

The cartoons are available online. (*)

Harold Kushner, rabbi laureate of the Temple Israel in Natick, Massachusetts, has an interesting talk on religion and culture, downloadable from Minnesota Public Radio. (*)

An unspeakable nightmare has befallen New Orleans and nearby areas in Missisippi and Alabama on the southern Gulf Coast. Hurricane Katrina left in its wake sheer devastation.

Eighty percent of the City of New Orleans is under water. The famous French Quarter is on higher ground and is so far dry.

Since the hurricane has passed, the water has risen in many parts of the city. Fox News has just repoted that an effort to repair the 17th Street Levee has failed. (*)

In an interview a few minutes ago on MSNBC, Tucker Carlson spoke to a woman in the French Quarter. She described it as “bone dry.” She said that the authorities had given up on an effort to repair “the levee.” She expected the water to hit her area. She was not asked to elaborate. Perhaps there is a rumor on the ground. Perhaps she knows something.

Rescuers are going past the dead to try to reach survivors who need help.

The Red Cross is doing all they can to help. They need donations. (†)

Widespread looting has once again proved that civilization is a thin veneer over base human nature.

The water that floods the city is contaminated, disease-ridden, and toxic.

The situation in New Orleans reminds me of that of Grand Forks in 1997. (‡)

New Orleans is under mandatory evacuation.

Previous projections suggested that pumping the water out of the city could take months.

The domestic oil economy on the US relies heavily on the southern Louisiana area for shipping, refining, and pumping oil. The industry in that area will be shut down for some time.

At a time like this, what is needed more than anything is strong and wise leadership. President Bush has just now cut short the last leg of his Herculean vacation.

There are many concerns and needs. Above all else are the following needs:

1. repair the levees;
2. once the key levees are repaired, pump the water out;
3. get the people in New Orleans and the surrounding area out; and
4. give aid to survivors and those who fled the area ahead of the storm.

To meet the needs, military assets are needed. Many Navy vessels are already moving into position.

New Orleans will never be the same again. The city and the surrounding areas will never be built again as they were.

We live in a time of change. We have to reassess things and get ahead of the curve. We need to wake our slumbering civilization to all of the emerging threats, natural, environmental, geopolitical, cultural, and martial.

We ought to take New Orleans as a warning of things to come. We ought to improve our preparations and safeguard through hard choices what is most important.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune has breaking coverage. (§)

As a hurricance of incredible ferocity bears down on the City of New Orleans and the surrounding area, people are fleeing and emergency workers are wondering what they will be called to do. (*)

The now well-known prediction is that New Orleans will be inundanted with water for a long time.

The worst flood disaster in US history was the Jonestown flood, killing 2,200. (†) The worst hurricanes were Camille in 1969 (‡) and Andrew in 1992. (§)

It is all too possible for Hurricane Katrina to dwarf them all.

Miles O’Brien has a hurricane blog. (**)

With the price of gasoline soaring, ways to reduce fuel consumption look more important. The FTC has some tips. (*) CNN gives a financial perspective. (†) The EPA points out how car maintenance can improve efficiency. (‡) The EPA also compares the efficiency of different car models. (§)

They are already putting RFID tags in $20 bills. Microwaving the bills in certain ovens can cause the RFID chips to explode. (*)

Now, with the right scanner, a person could hold a handheld device and see roughly how much cash you are carrying. Additionally, each bill probably has a unique ID, allowing the government or other interested parties to track where the bills go over time.

Update: 21 June 2005. It appears that RFID tags are not in US currency. Nevertheless, the euro may have them soon. (†)

Various proposals have been made to change Western Civilization’s traditional systems of keeping time.

Swatch introduced Internet Time some years ago. (*) No time zones and a simple, short, unique number like @172 make it appealing. I like Internet Time. It is simple. “The time is at 172.” It works as a supplemental time keeping device. If you are communicating with someone in a different time zone, it is an excellent central reference. Internet Time does not work as a replacement for the regular clock, because people living in different time zones would start work @83 or @274 or @940, for example, depending on where they lived in the world.

New Earth Time, or NET, strives to usurp regular time. (†) Unfortunately, its reliance on degrees as the main unit of time will not work. Degrees are already in use for temperature, geometry, and in metaphors (”degrees of separation”). NET will prove too confusing.

The reform efforts directed against the Gregorian calendar betray an anti-Christianist and anti-Western bias. Why not direct calendar reform efforts at the Muslim calendar, for example? The end result of most of these calendar reform efforts will be to end consecutive 7-day weeks. (‡) The losers here will be all the religions that require penitents to obey a holy day every seven days. If mass confusion is the goal, then I suppose messing up the 7-day-a-week system will work great.

Our timekeeping systems work pretty well. There is no great need to change them. Using Internet Time as a supplemental clock, however, has potential utility.

To get some perspective, we should realize that once men are permanently established on Mars, the real clock and calendar reform efforts will begin.

Are you befuddled by today’s events? Are you left in despair? Do you wonder why the world seems to be falling apart and yet no one seems to care? Have you noticed how Republicans are insane and Democrats are also insane, but in a different way? Does this leave you feeling powerless and hopeless?

If any of those statements apply to you, then you should know you aren’t alone. I feel that way, too.

Yet, there is cause for hope. The origin of hope is understanding. We must comprehend this mixed up modern world.

Alain Finkielkraut’s 1995 book, The Defeat of the Mind, can provide the beginning of a diagnosis. (*) The blog Hassagot touches on the book. (†)

Finkielkraut is terribly pessimistic about the future of the West. His book is an intellectual odyssey that intentionally avoids solidifying into a hardened point by which he may pierce to the heart of the matter. Finkielkraut says the life of the mind is abandoned in the West. He says the mind is defeated; it has lost the war. Yet, what if the mind is defeated in only a single battle? What if the war is not lost?

So we must presume, and so we must work to reinvigorate the life of the mind in our civilization.

And so we come to the end, barbarism replaces culture. In the shadow of the great word, intolerance and infantile behavior increase. When it is not cultural identity restricting the choices an individual can make, using threats of high treason to silence expressions of doubt, irony, and reason—it is the entertainment industry, the creation of the technological age, that reduces great works of art to drivel. The life of the mind has quietly moved out of the way, making room for the terrible and pathetic encounter of the fanatic and the zombie.

Finkielkraut, p. 135.

Updated.

Writing in the New York Times about the plethora of bizarre stories emanating from the State of Florida, Abby Goodnough reports: (*)

California used to be the capital of cultural, political and environmental crises, the place that baffled and mesmerized with its vivid goings-on. . . .

Paradise is hard to sustain. . . in a place with so many ethnic, age and class groups coexisting in ever more crowded communities. Nearly 1,000 people move to Florida each day, and the churning mix of blacks, Hispanics, retirees from other states, urban liberals, suburban moderates and conservative-leaning rural residents make for a volatile place with deep divisions and conflicting priorities.

“We have more intense collisions between gray hairs and brown hairs, Midwest people and Northeast people, money and nonmoney,” said James Twitchell, a professor of English and advertising at the University of Florida. “The barriers are not very high, so the collisions can occur as if you’re on one of those little electric cars at the fair, banging into things.”

Apparently diversity is not a political virtue after all.

Is Florida a bellwether for social chaos that might spread to the rest of the country? Can the problems with too much diversity detected by the New York Times extend to racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity?

The problem with diversity is that, when combined with the need for some semblance of societal order, diversity can grow out of control and eventually threaten truly important political principles, including liberty and equality. Diversity should be kept to moderate levels.

The world population has surged to 6.4 billion people.

China is up to 1.3 billion. India hovers at just over a billion. The EU has 456 million. (*) The USA is up to 295 million. (†) Pakistan has grown to 159 million. Russia is down to 143 million. Mexico is up to 105 million, but its demographic boom may be levelling off. Iran has 67 million. France checks in at 60 million. Canada enjoys 32 million. Afghanistan is estimated at 28 million. Iraq is estimated at 25 million. Saudi Arabia also has 25 million. North Korea is estimated at 22 million. Syria has 18 million.

At the low end, the Christmas Islands and Johnston Atoll are both at 396, while the Pitcairn Islands holds at 46.

Jack Shafer of Slate offers debating tips for those going into the ring with Tim Russert (*) or Bill O’Reilly. (†)

Ruth Peters offers parenting advice. (*)

The NTSB has found that the crash of Flight 587, involving an American Airlines jet over New York City in November 2001, was an accident. (*) The federal government’s transportation safety department found that the cause was one or both of a defective design of the Airbus aircraft or pilot error. (†)

I had been concerned that the crash of Flight 587 was not an accident. (‡) That concern is now laid to rest.