There are some tales that come back again and again, or that come and just won't go away ...
Limited Engagement - We're BAA-ACK! In Iraq, that is. It seems like only yesterday we left thinking the Iraqi Army was in good shape to control their own destiny. How silly of us to be so hopeful. Now we are involved in 'limited' air attacks on fighters and weapons of the Islamic State (IS). I don't know about the rest of you, but I wish they'd change that acronym back to ISIS or something, since 'IS' brings to my mind images of the bored voices at the end of a tech support call. The Prez tells us there will be no resumption of US forces on the ground in Iraq, but, well ..., if we really want Iraq to NOT be a medieval theocratic rogue state and/or carved into three pieces that's exactly what we might have to do.
You First ... No, You First - As it ever was, the Muddle East continues to prove the toughest worldwide political nut to crack, most likely because there is so much at stake for the participants. After a 3-day cease fire in which both sides licked their wounds, buried their dead, and sorted through the rubble of their neighborhoods - all much worse for the Gazans but a toll for the Israelis too, the violence resumed. Israel says Hamas (Leaders of Gaza and a certified Terrorist group, according to Israel and the US) fired rockets even before the cease fire officially ended. Hamas denied this but followed on with dozens of rockets, I guess to make a point or because they buy them in batches and need to use up the remnants. With that Israel walked out of the Egyptian-brokered peace talks, stating they would not return until Hamas 'cut it out with those rockets already, enough is enough!' Immediately Hamas said it would not cut it out with those rockets unless Israel came back to the table with concessions Hamas wants, like the ability to cross into Egypt and into Israel freely. That last bit is not going to seem like a smart idea to the Israelis who've just finished destroying tunnels Hamas fighters used to sneak into Israel. On the other hand, Hamas doesn't have much reason to negotiate if Israel doesn't give them something they can show their people was worth all the bloodshed to get. Not good positions from which to start peace talks. Just like always, it seems.
Run, Hilary, Run - There's something about people in general that makes us wish to form dynasties. I guess when we get something that seems good, we want to perpetuate it, even if that something is Bill Clinton and the 'good' looks better in hindsight than it did at the time, and even if perpetuating it means electing the former first lady, Senator, and Secretary of State, Hilary. She's only run for President once before, so the part of this story that is neverending is probably Bill Clinton. OK, he was a democratic President and he helped swing the needle back from its conservative setting under Reagan, but not as far as it should have, and besides he had the self-control of a barnyard rooster. Hilary would seem fresher without him and those of us with long memories wouldn't have to suffer the PTSD caused by that whole saga of the intern and the cigar. So, Run, Hilary, Run, but leave Bill in the barnyard and maybe the Clinton story will be neverending (in a good way).
Limited Engagement - We're BAA-ACK! In Iraq, that is. It seems like only yesterday we left thinking the Iraqi Army was in good shape to control their own destiny. How silly of us to be so hopeful. Now we are involved in 'limited' air attacks on fighters and weapons of the Islamic State (IS). I don't know about the rest of you, but I wish they'd change that acronym back to ISIS or something, since 'IS' brings to my mind images of the bored voices at the end of a tech support call. The Prez tells us there will be no resumption of US forces on the ground in Iraq, but, well ..., if we really want Iraq to NOT be a medieval theocratic rogue state and/or carved into three pieces that's exactly what we might have to do.
You First ... No, You First - As it ever was, the Muddle East continues to prove the toughest worldwide political nut to crack, most likely because there is so much at stake for the participants. After a 3-day cease fire in which both sides licked their wounds, buried their dead, and sorted through the rubble of their neighborhoods - all much worse for the Gazans but a toll for the Israelis too, the violence resumed. Israel says Hamas (Leaders of Gaza and a certified Terrorist group, according to Israel and the US) fired rockets even before the cease fire officially ended. Hamas denied this but followed on with dozens of rockets, I guess to make a point or because they buy them in batches and need to use up the remnants. With that Israel walked out of the Egyptian-brokered peace talks, stating they would not return until Hamas 'cut it out with those rockets already, enough is enough!' Immediately Hamas said it would not cut it out with those rockets unless Israel came back to the table with concessions Hamas wants, like the ability to cross into Egypt and into Israel freely. That last bit is not going to seem like a smart idea to the Israelis who've just finished destroying tunnels Hamas fighters used to sneak into Israel. On the other hand, Hamas doesn't have much reason to negotiate if Israel doesn't give them something they can show their people was worth all the bloodshed to get. Not good positions from which to start peace talks. Just like always, it seems.
Run, Hilary, Run - There's something about people in general that makes us wish to form dynasties. I guess when we get something that seems good, we want to perpetuate it, even if that something is Bill Clinton and the 'good' looks better in hindsight than it did at the time, and even if perpetuating it means electing the former first lady, Senator, and Secretary of State, Hilary. She's only run for President once before, so the part of this story that is neverending is probably Bill Clinton. OK, he was a democratic President and he helped swing the needle back from its conservative setting under Reagan, but not as far as it should have, and besides he had the self-control of a barnyard rooster. Hilary would seem fresher without him and those of us with long memories wouldn't have to suffer the PTSD caused by that whole saga of the intern and the cigar. So, Run, Hilary, Run, but leave Bill in the barnyard and maybe the Clinton story will be neverending (in a good way).
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