…when our supposed enemy was based in Afghanistan? To me, of course, that’s like asking why our first major invasion in World War II was in northern Africa when we were attacked by the Japanese in the Pacific. It’s a recognition that we’re in a regional, if not global war, and it’s called strategy. Joe Katzman explains.
Commemoration
Today is the 23rd anniversary of the first Space Shuttle flight, and the forty third anniversary of the first human space flight, by Yuri Gagarin. Which also means that tonight is Yuri’s Night. Here’s a column I wrote two years ago for Fox News about all three events. Get out tonight and party.
And Now For Something Completely Different
I think that the notion that a Democrat president would be better for space than Bush is blindly wishful thinking. Based on the logo, much of this hopefulness seems based on the myth of Jack Kennedy as space visionary, when the record shows otherwise. Apollo was a unique event born of its times, and to think that just putting another JFK in the White House will somehow resurrect it is to misunderstand history. And in fact, the last thing that we need is a new Apollo, which there is unfortunately some danger that the president’s new initiative will become.
Neither party is very attuned to a vibrant space policy. They don’t even know, or are able to imagine, what one might look like, but at least we have made some progress under this administration, in terms of rationalizing FAA licensing rules, and starting a process that may get NASA out of the way of human flights to LEO.
While I’m not a single-issue voter when it comes to space, if I were, I’d probably vote for Bush, because Kerry has said nothing to indicate that his policy would be an improvement on the present one, and the natural inclination of Democrats is to fund things perceived to be closer to home. Walter Mondale is certainly more typical of potential Democrat space policy than is John F. Kennedy. If Yudel feels for whatever reason compelled to support the donkeys, then he should do so, but he shouldn’t fool himself that they’re going to get him, or anyone else, to Mars any time soon.
A Happy Easter
…to all of my Christian readers.
Perspective
Amidst our self absorption with our own casualties (which while devastating to those to whom they are familiar, are trivial in the context of other wars, many less momentous than this), it’s easy to forget the suffering and fright of the innocent Iraqis who must live with and through the current chaos. Sadly, sometimes necessary things have calamitous effects on those who had no part in the making of them, and it’s hard to take a long-term view when bombs are falling.
To the proprietress of the Riverbend blog, and others like her, I can only offer trite, but often true cliches–it’s often darkest before the dawn, and sometimes the only way out is through. For those of my readers of the praying type, say one or two for her and hers, and I hope that she knows that she is in our hearts at this time of crucial point in her country’s history.
[Update a few minutes later]
And for contrast, I hope she hears and appreciates what compatriot blogger Mohammed has to say.
They Like Condi
It looks like the Dems have lost their little PR war. Rasmussen says that the public views Condoleezza Rice much more favorably than Richard Clarke.
In the wake of Condoleezza Rice’s testimony before a national television audience, 50% of American voters have a favorable view of the nation’s National Security Advisor. Just 24% have an unfavorable view, while 26% are not sure or do not know who she is…
…Rice’s numbers are far better than those for Richard Clarke, the former Clinton and Bush official whose testimony two weeks ago kicked off a media frenzy. Following yesterday’s testimony, Clarke is viewed favorably by just 27% of voters and unfavorably by 42%.
The Future Of Dead-Tree Publishing?
David Nott emails me to say that people who subscribe to Reason magazine by 5 PM tomorrow (I assume that’s PDT) will get a personalized cover on the June issue–a satellite photo of your house with your name.
Can’t We All Just Get Along?
The former secretary of Northern Ireland thinks that we should negotiate with bin Laden.
In a television interview which will be broadcast on Easter Sunday, she described the current hardline approach to the war on terror as “completely counter-productive”.
Ms Mowlam told Tyne Tees TV’s Sunday Interview that Britain and America must open a dialogue with their enemies.
Interviewer Tony Cartledge asked if she could imagine “al Qaida and Osama bin Laden arriving at the negotiating table”.
She replied: “You have to do that. If you do not you condemn large parts of the world to war forever.
“Some people couldn’t conceive of Gerry Adams or Martin McGuinness getting to the table but they did.”
She added: “If you go in with guns and bombs, you act as a recruitment officer for the terrorists.”
I was amused by this aside at the end of the column:
She also confirmed on the programme that she has completely recovered from a brain tumour.
I’d say that we have some evidence to the contrary here.
Can’t We All Just Get Along?
The former secretary of Northern Ireland thinks that we should negotiate with bin Laden.
In a television interview which will be broadcast on Easter Sunday, she described the current hardline approach to the war on terror as “completely counter-productive”.
Ms Mowlam told Tyne Tees TV’s Sunday Interview that Britain and America must open a dialogue with their enemies.
Interviewer Tony Cartledge asked if she could imagine “al Qaida and Osama bin Laden arriving at the negotiating table”.
She replied: “You have to do that. If you do not you condemn large parts of the world to war forever.
“Some people couldn’t conceive of Gerry Adams or Martin McGuinness getting to the table but they did.”
She added: “If you go in with guns and bombs, you act as a recruitment officer for the terrorists.”
I was amused by this aside at the end of the column:
She also confirmed on the programme that she has completely recovered from a brain tumour.
I’d say that we have some evidence to the contrary here.
Can’t We All Just Get Along?
The former secretary of Northern Ireland thinks that we should negotiate with bin Laden.
In a television interview which will be broadcast on Easter Sunday, she described the current hardline approach to the war on terror as “completely counter-productive”.
Ms Mowlam told Tyne Tees TV’s Sunday Interview that Britain and America must open a dialogue with their enemies.
Interviewer Tony Cartledge asked if she could imagine “al Qaida and Osama bin Laden arriving at the negotiating table”.
She replied: “You have to do that. If you do not you condemn large parts of the world to war forever.
“Some people couldn’t conceive of Gerry Adams or Martin McGuinness getting to the table but they did.”
She added: “If you go in with guns and bombs, you act as a recruitment officer for the terrorists.”
I was amused by this aside at the end of the column:
She also confirmed on the programme that she has completely recovered from a brain tumour.
I’d say that we have some evidence to the contrary here.