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Dreams From My Predecessor
How will Obama govern? Paulson in the doghouse. Rebuilding a brand. Plus more.
(Page 3 of 3)
Terrific article. One question: at what point did bums
become “homeless”? In my mind, the euphemism implies someone
temporarily down on his luck. The non-mentally ill folk are where
they are because of bad decisions, e.g. drug and alcohol abuse.
Aggressive, doped up, and/or drunken panhandlers are just
bums.
— Terry Robb
Columbia, Missouri
Wealthy, white and liberal suburbanites needn’t worry: President
Obama will either audaciously change the nature of America’s
decrepit cities with a rousing speech (read from a teleprompter),
or maybe he’ll call for withdrawal from the brutal and deadly
urban killing fields in the next 16 months. It is obvious that
the politicians who run the cities have utterly failed to
stabilize and make them peaceful so shouldn’t we leave them to
their own devices? Could it be what the decaying cities needs is
a dose of law and order and less compassion? Might it be
compassionate to take these people off the streets and
involuntarily institutionalize them so as to protect them and us?
Well it doesn’t really matter come next January President Obama
will make everything ok. I have audacious hope for change because
we can do it.
— Michael Tomlinson
RIGHT HAND DOESN’T KNOW WHAT THE LEFT IS DOING
Some conservative pundits (e.g., David Brooks, Fred Barnes) are already writing to the effect that Obama will likely govern from the center. They point to supposedly moderate or centrist cabinet appointments, and to some grumbling and disappointment on the far left.
Let’s not give credit where none is due. It is wishful thinking — unnecessary and counterproductive — for conservatives and Republicans to believe that Obama will govern from the center.
Obama’s own political history and background, and the actual practice of the Carter and Clinton administrations, should lead us to expect battles and challenges on a series of key issues. Those who delude themselves into believing Obama will govern from the center will be be unprepared for the battles ahead.
The new administration — Obama, Hillary Clinton, Bill Richardson, Tom Daschle, Joe Biden, Janet Napolitano — will definitely represent change — change in a left direction to be sure, but change nonetheless.
The far left may have its quibbles, but don’t misread them, don’t exaggerate them, and don’t be in denial. The far left and the mainstream media will be cheerleaders as Obama pushes expanded government, increased taxes and spending, government-run health care, “card check” for labor union bosses, weak border security, steps toward amnesty for illegal immigrants, and the nomination of activist judges who will thwart the will of the American people.
Two points above all:
As with Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, the Obama administration will harm our foreign policy, retreat before our enemies, and weaken the military.
And regarding Obama’s campaign promise to cut taxes: It was bad enough I had to listen to his lies throughout the campaign. It was bad enough that McCain was ineffective in countering this lying pledge. And it was bad enough that, in the end, on the issue of taxes, Obama lied better than McCain told the truth.
Why add insult to injury? Why give credit where none is due?
Whatever the grumblings of some on the far left, they will like the far left agenda agenda of change — yes, change — that Obama will seek to promote.
Obama will push for government-run health care, cap and trade, an auto bailout, and environmental policies that will harm the economy. He will have the support and enthusiasm of the mainstream media, the liberal elites, and yes even the far left of the Democratic Party.
Obama will expand government and RAISE taxes.
Let’s not disarm ourselves with false optimism and
head-in-the-sand denial about Obama governing pragmatically,
realistically, and from the center.
— Steve Beren
Seattle, Washington
Letter to the Editor View all comments (12) | Leave a comment
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frost| 12.3.08 @ 8:35AM
Uhhhh, Mr. Bateman, those ten "poorly-trained" terrorists/murderers managed to kill How Many? And totally disrupt a city os how many million? And get world attention on their "plight" -- which was really a diversionary tactic toget the attention off Kashmir and NW Pakistan where the Islamics hope to cement their influence....
No, in all due respect, gotta disagree. Those gunmen did an amazing job -- look at how many were killed/maimed, and the damage done.
And, us? What do we have? The otherwise unemployable as TSA pests in the airports? Face it, we've been awfully fortunate -- so far.
frost| 12.3.08 @ 8:47AM
So far as Mr. Beren's offerings, from the Socialist Soviet of Seattle, hey, one can only hope. Sure, I agree that the odds are that Obama will (with a little assist from Harry, Nancy, Dick, Barney, et al.) continue the process of flushing this once-great country right down the toilet... BUT, maybe he will notice what happened in Brazil. An avowed ultra-left-wing union guy, sympathetic with the communist/socialist causes was elected president, and re-elected. Once in, I'd guess that he noticed that the economy was roaring along, prosperous, birds were singing, everything was wonderful - - and he had the presence of mind to stay out of the positive flow and NOT disrupt the winning situation he found. This red, President Lula, has kept things positive, and Brazil is a blast, even more so with a second offshore oil find. No, one can only hope. Maybe Obama will keep his grubby agenda in the drawer, locked up tight, and tick-off the Soros bunch and the other lefties....? I doubt it, but one can hope.
Appleby| 12.3.08 @ 11:38AM
The terrorists in Bombay did an admirable job, considering what they wanted to achieve. An old Columbia University prof and I used to kick around this kind of scenario (I am his Conservative foil, but we both agree that Robert Heinlein's Patrick Henry Plan is a winner) and I believe I could bring down the entire country of Canada with ten properly-deployed terrorists.
That is, if the Canadians were not busily pulling it down around our ears even as we speak.
As the 9/11 crowd showed us, it does not take sophisticated weapons or large numbers of troops to do the work of smashing a country. All it takes are properly aimed college students with copies of the Anarchist's Cookbook and the sneaking belief that somehow they will be around to see how it all turns out.
Thomas| 12.3.08 @ 11:49AM
frost,
I have to agree with Mr. Bateman. The Mumbai attack only succeeded because no one, other than the terrorists and the equally inept Keystone Cops of India, were armed. Did you ever see a Godzilla movie? Hundreds of thousands of helpless people running through the streets of Tokyo? That was the situation in Mumbai. No one was in a position to defend themselves. Another indication of the Saturday Night Special mentality involved is the fact the the terrorists had no exfiltration plan. they were supposed to die in place. A very wasteful military tactic. Finally, their communications discipline sucked. They left commo equipment [cell and sat phones] intact that will yield valuable information on the identities and locations of their associates. The only reason that these idiots did as much damage as they did, was because the populous was unarmed and the "security" forces were inept. It is just a good thing that these guys didn't try this in a Toys R Us in SoCal.
frost| 12.3.08 @ 2:06PM
Actually, there's very little disagreement, Thomas. The only point lacking is that the ten terrorists were expendable (illustrating yet another limitation of the socialist/terrorist agenda maybe[?], the fact that the young people haven't jobs, are miserable and uneducated, like silly putty really, with 'way too much time on their hands -- and ripe for the brainwashing). But, point well taken about the gun situation; too few in evidence, obviously, and the terrible excuse-for-a-police-department not shooting when they had multiple opportunities?
Don't know about ToysR Us in California, but here in Texas? My main point was (1) they caused havoc, (2) there were only ten, apparently, and (3) their expendability, like cannon-fodder maybe. A wasteful tactic, perhaps, unless you have thousands more just waiting in the wings. The gear left behind may have illustrated the possibility that there were a bunch of privates and corporals, no sergeants or lieutenants to discipline the rabble.... watch out for next time.
Thom| 12.3.08 @ 3:12PM
Frost, that you think they did an “amazing job” gives them the moral victory in your mind that is all that is needed for them to continue this kind of tactic. Thank your 24/7 Media coverage for creating this mountain out of a mole hill. As for us being fortunate (and unprepared for similar events), you are completely correct and that is in line with my central point. As for disrupting a city of 18 million, that did not happen. The city is open for business as usual and life goes on as usual. In a country of over 800 million the actual loses were what 5 seconds of births? India has suffered far worst throughout its history and by its own hands at times. The damage this has done at this point is symbolic at best and concerns more the image rather than the substance of the actual damage. That Westerners (modern day) view such things using a different standard is not something I can speak to but as to what could have been done by 10-15 properly trained and disciplined fighters is another matter entirely. As I have the knowledge and skill set to accomplish exactly what I mean may be lost on most but those with the skills and discipline understand from where I speak. Simply put, 10 such people could have killed over 300 in the first 60-120 seconds using just aimed fire from their rifles and not having to reload in the process. After that, human survival instinct of the panicked victims would have made it more difficult to keep up the pace and by the time 5 minutes had passed the killing fields would have been cleared of most of the living targets. After that the risk for the attackers goes up with each passing moment until a stalemate occurs with security forces closing in on the area. Note this went on for 60 hours in a relatively small area of that City. The bulk of the deaths and injuries occurred in the initial attacks. Throw in the grenades they carried, pre planted car bombs and a little more cunning with regard to explosives and this could have resulted in two to three times that initial 300 dead in the first hour alone. The thousands claimed as the ultimate goal was a pipe dream short of the Indian security forces not responding at all but the actual death and wounded count is very low for the firepower involved. This was not combat; it was slaughter of unarmed people in the first order.
That these people wasted time trying to target Westerners and Jews went a long way in lowering the overall carnage. Professionals, by definition who want to both succeed and escape, wouldn’t do that in order to make a pointless statement. That’s the difference between professionals and amateurs. Amateurs just want to make statements; professionals want to succeed and live. That was my second point. If these people are allowed to become more professional in their thinking, far worse than this will occur with even lower loses to them. All that is required for this to happen is back off taking the war to them rather than just letting them bring it to us at a place and time of their choosing. That’s the third point. You can’t win this kind of war setting on defense trying to keep them at bay.
frost| 12.3.08 @ 4:28PM
No argument. Sure, they might've accomplished it "better" from the terrorist point of view, but they got their headlines; "divide and conquor" was their apparent goal -- get India and Pakistan even More at each others' throats than before, so the bad guys can clinch Kashmir and those terrorist hideouts without fear of further problems (from their perspective). So, sure, they were amateurs -- but dedicated ones, and those ten did manage to screw up things for a while. So, "pointless statement?" Maybe. But from the Osama/terrorist point of view, probable smiles...
Thomas| 12.3.08 @ 4:44PM
Exactly my point. These guys are amateurs. They make a big splash among the ill informed news media, but they really accomplish very little for
their cause, except to increase the number and resolve of their enemies. They are incredibly short sighted in terms of a realistic goal. Their true objective was to gain bragging rights within the terrorist community, not divert attention from Kashmir.
Just a small point here, but a few privately held handguns in the hotel and synagogue could have significantly altered the outcome of this little day trip.
A professional attack would have utilized coordinated rolling attacks against infrastructure targets such as water and power facilities as well as the attacks against transportation and soft personnel targets. Then the attackers would have disposed of their weapons, blended into the milling crowds and slipped out of the city and into the sunset, with virtually no loss of their own forces. Free to strike again. Thank heavens for stupid amateurs, professionals are so much more dangerous.
Thom| 12.3.08 @ 5:51PM
Frost,
"" So, "pointless statement?" Maybe. But from the Osama/terrorist point of view, probable smiles... "" Osama has lost tens of thousands of recruits in Iraq and Afghanistan fighting against professionals that win every time they fight a stand up fight. If there were that many people willing to die for Osama by this kind of suicidal attack we would being seeing non stop coverage of this sort of thing 24/7. Even nut cases like this don’t want to sell their lives that cheaply. Compare this tactic and result to the Kamikaze attacks in the Pacific in 1944 and 1945. It didn’t change the course of the war one bit and just added to the retribution scale mounting for the atomic attacks on Japan that followed mass examples of this kind of suicidal attacks. The only winners in this attack were the News Media. They live for this kind of stuff and we die to help them out there.
Diane Smith| 12.4.08 @ 2:11AM
Interesting exchanges between frost and practically everyone else on the TAS planet. One point of frost's caught my eye - - "here in Texas...." Here in Texas? What happened to "tickets in hand to Costa Rica or Rio?" Hasta la vista, losers! Glad to see he is giving the U.S. a second chance or a probationary period. He has interesting if gloomy insights. To be right on is to be gloomy, these days.
I've been away myself - so far away, I don't know if Murtha was re-elected. My guess is he was. Its the incumbency magic at work. Although, Coleman doesn't seem to be profiting by it with that jackass, Franken.
Ms. Know| 12.6.08 @ 9:58PM
The left-wing illuminati will be so liberal, and they will rely on big government from here on out.