Random stuff for a random Friday.
A few things that I think we should all keep our eyes on:
- Iranian Elections
For once I agree with President Bush. The Iranian electoral process is an even bigger joke than our own. Although the two leading candidates in the Iranian presidental election, Rafsanjani and Moin, are both making noise about improving Iran's shattered relationship with the West, any elected leader who is still subject to the whims of the Guardian Council will be powerless to make the kinds of reforms that Iran needs to make in order to get itself out of the international community's crosshairs. Indeed, this was the biggest problem that the current Khatami administration has faced. Any election where the candidates have to be "approved" by non-elected officials is obviously flawed in a very fundamental way.
I've believed for some time that, owing in no small part to growing pro-democracy sentiment among its student population, Iran would come to true representative government in its own time and on its own terms. The only hope for them to do so without intervention from the West (which I think would be a preferrable outcome for all concerned) is for their current "elected" leaders to gradually nudge the country that direction until such time as the student movement is strong enough to force the Ayatollah and the Guardian Council out of office, just as they forced Milosevic out of office in Yugoslavia and forced a fair election in the Ukraine. Given the time, the inspiration and the opportunity, an educated population will eventually find their own brand of democracy. Let's hope the Iranian people get their chance.
- House Democrat Seeking Probe Into Bush's Justifications for War
Even those of us who supported the removal of Saddam Hussein and the installation of a democratic government in Iraq have to admit that the Bush administration has pretty badly fumbled the military operation in that troubled country. Some people think that the situation has been botched badly enough that the administration needs to be held accountable (outside of the normal electoral system, that is). Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY) is one of those people.
I can't claim to know all the facts, because I am neither a member of the Bush adminstration or a congressperson. However, I do find the Rangels claims that Bush "deliberately misled Congress" in order to achieve his goal a little suspect. From what I understand (which, admittedly, may not be the whole picture), the intelligence the President used as justification for the invasion and the intelligence that the House and Senate saw before they passed a resolution supporting the invasion came from the same sources and contained exactly the same information. If that's the case, wouldn't it be a matter of either both parties receiving faulty intelligence or one of the two parties being willfully deceived?
Also, some of these articles are throwing around a poll stating that only 41% of Americans approve of the way the administration has handled Iraq. There are two things that should be kept in mind when considering that number. Firstly, it's astounding that 41% of Americans approve of Bush's handling of the war, considering how badly screwed up it has been. Secondly, it's important to remember that this figure doesn't mean that only 41% of Americans approved of the war in the first place, only that 41% of them approve of the way it was managed. I personally agreed with the decision to invade Iraq (albeit for slightly different reasons), but I've definitely had problems with the way most of the post-invasion management has gone.
- North Korea to Resume Nuclear Discussion in July
Although I'm sure you're all as sick of Kim Jong Il as I am (except when he's in puppet form, that is), one can't help but be encouraged by this turn of events. Sure, these talks will probably break down the way the last 6.02*10^23 sessions have, but at least they're getting rolling again.
Some news outlets are even quoting Kim as having said that if the United States will "show proper respect" to and "guarantee the security of" his regime, he doesn't see the need for North Korea to possess "a single nuclear weapon."
Now, as encouraging as that sounds, consider the ramifications. If the U.S. legitimizes Kim's government in exchange for an agreement not to develop further nuclear capability, what have we taught totalitarian governments around the globe? I believe that it sets a dangerous precedent to allow Kim to bully us into "respecting" his thuggery.
That being said, one has to consider the ultimate consequences of pursuing a tough line with Kim Jong Il. No one wants war with North Korea, least of all South Korea, whose defense started this whole mess a half a century ago. Is de-escalating a potential nuclear conflict worth sending a signal to dictators that we can be bought with fear? I don't the answer, but that doesn't bother me. What bothers me is that I suspect that the Bush administration doesn't know the answer either.
In less serious news, I'm awfully glad the weekend is here. Jess and I will get some time to relax and I can get some stuff done that I've been meaning to do for a couple of months (like move the rest of my crap out of Matt's house...woops, sorry Matt!). Tonight I'm visiting the Broad Ripple Brewpub tonight with Ben and Eric. There will be beer (mmm...Lawnmower IPA), pub food and lots of geekery tossed about as we hash out new characters and campaign ideas for our Tharaeldad game sessions, which are at a bit of a crossroads.
If time and money permit, we may try to see Batman Begins at Ye Olde ShowPlace 12. It's getting awfully good reviews. My old boss Perry went to see it this afternoon, so I may give him a call and see what he thought (he's the first person I've known to see it, plus he's a harsher critic of films than most - so if he says it's good, it is).
That's about it, I guess. Work is work, nothing new there. Jessi is feeling a bit better, but still under the weather. My nephews are healthy, my parents haven't kicked the bucket and my dog is doing just fine.
I guess that's all anyone can hope for. Love, family and a beagle.
-Sam
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