I was not going to comment on the debate. I'm not sure why... I just thought I'd let it stand on its own. After reading Greg's post today, I decided what the hell.
What most struck me about the President in the debate Thursday night was the arrogance of his posturing when John Kerry responded to the moderator. In more instances than not, Bush's look (rolled eyes and all) was as if the say, Well here we go again...
Body language was what spoke strongest about him. It overshadowed everything. Including his nakedness.
Some will say Bush kept it simple and stayed on cue. That this was a good thing. I don't believe he had a choice. What really struck me during the debate was not a totally new revolution, but it was finally one that I believe was confirmed beyond the realm of theory. Bush may not be "stupid" but he lacks the complexity to deal with broader issues that are often not as simple as black and white.
My example:
When Kerry discussed the idea that a preemptive military strike was something so serious that there was a global test or standard that had to be meet, Bush simply did not get it. This is something I have felt strongly about from the beginning. Yet here is the Commander-In-Chief, the man who prides himself in telling us he has what it takes to do this job ( inferring that Kerry lacks it) and he simply was dumbfounded by Kerry's remark.
Many people argue that it is pointless to argue this issue after the barn door was left open and the cow escaped. However, such decisions impact the way the rest of the world views us. In spite of what some people feel, this can become critical. Bush's own simple view is, We'll go to war when we want to and not when someone says it is ok. That is well and good, but the world opinion on this war and the way we prosecute any future wars, may well impact the support we get at some important juncture when there really are WMDs or justification. Will other nations look back and take a pass on supporting us because we cried wolf and there was no wolf? The misrepresentations that occurred and the President's arrogant posturing to any who disagreed with him is of real concern.
There is something we can learn from the mistakes in Iraq. We need to grasp that.
There was something to learn from Vietnam and many still are in denial about that lesson. These are costly mistakes to repeat.
Sunday, October 03, 2004
Friday, October 01, 2004
October Already
Ah, Friday at last!
I'm going the a reading tonight of some friends at the Maple Woods College campus. Tomorrow, my youngest daughter has a karate tournament locally. Should be an all day event. I'll take note book and reading material.
I'd like to get a lot done this weekend. It has just hit me that we are down to the final quarter of the year and I don't have much material out floating around right now. I need to make a final push. I've got stuff that can be sent out, just need to do it!
The poet must get off his butt!
I'm going the a reading tonight of some friends at the Maple Woods College campus. Tomorrow, my youngest daughter has a karate tournament locally. Should be an all day event. I'll take note book and reading material.
I'd like to get a lot done this weekend. It has just hit me that we are down to the final quarter of the year and I don't have much material out floating around right now. I need to make a final push. I've got stuff that can be sent out, just need to do it!
The poet must get off his butt!
Thursday, September 30, 2004
C.D. Wright Poem via Chris @ texfiles
Wright of course is the subject of my post yesterday on th MacArthur Fellows
Mixed verbiage
I peeked in on Love During Wartime, which I do from time to time... and wondered, what will James write about and title his blog when war is obsolete? Then I slapped myself in the face in the face and said... Yeah Right!
Pray for Alli's laptop! Poor girl had to use a MAC. I'm sure I must have a prayer here someplace for inanimate objects.
Debate Tonight.... I think they are in Florida. Is that a safe place to be these days?
A Federal Court had problems with a section of the US Patriot Act allowing authorities to demand financial records from companies in terrorism investigations is unconstitutional. The court concluded that the section bars any effective judicial challenge because the government does not need to show a compelling need for the information, and the act does not provide process for challenges to police action. Gee, Imagine that... the Patriot Act violating Constitutional protections.
Mount St. Helens is rumbling
and now, my news in brief....
They Debate tonight
And War will be a topic
Say a prayer
A prayer for peace
A prayer for the troops
That they soon come home
Speaking of home
Bush to Crawford
Soon
Real soon
Pray for Alli's puter
And Constitutional Rights
And speaking of Rights
Protect us
From the Religious Right
That are not Religious
Or Right
Through the intercession
Of St Helen
We Pray...
Pray for Alli's laptop! Poor girl had to use a MAC. I'm sure I must have a prayer here someplace for inanimate objects.
Debate Tonight.... I think they are in Florida. Is that a safe place to be these days?
A Federal Court had problems with a section of the US Patriot Act allowing authorities to demand financial records from companies in terrorism investigations is unconstitutional. The court concluded that the section bars any effective judicial challenge because the government does not need to show a compelling need for the information, and the act does not provide process for challenges to police action. Gee, Imagine that... the Patriot Act violating Constitutional protections.
Mount St. Helens is rumbling
and now, my news in brief....
They Debate tonight
And War will be a topic
Say a prayer
A prayer for peace
A prayer for the troops
That they soon come home
Speaking of home
Bush to Crawford
Soon
Real soon
Pray for Alli's puter
And Constitutional Rights
And speaking of Rights
Protect us
From the Religious Right
That are not Religious
Or Right
Through the intercession
Of St Helen
We Pray...
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Poet Among The 2004 MacArthur Fellows
Poet C.D. Wright - Professor of English at Brown University was on of 23 MacArthur Fellows announced for 2004. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation provides each winner with $500,000 in "no strings attached" support over the next five years.
The MacArthur Fellows Program is designed to underscore the importance of the creative individual in society. Criteria for the Fellows focuses on their originality, creativity, and the potential to do more in the future. It is not possible to apply for the awards, you must be nominated. The selection involves a rigorous and confidential process. And since no candidates are interviewed directly the selection, the recipient first learns of being named a MacArthur Fellow by way of a phone call from the Foundation. "The call can be life-changing, coming as it does out of the blue and offering highly creative women and men the gift of time and the unfettered opportunity to explore, create, and contribute," said Jonathan F. Fanton, president of the MacArthur Foundation.
The MacArthur Fellows Program is designed to underscore the importance of the creative individual in society. Criteria for the Fellows focuses on their originality, creativity, and the potential to do more in the future. It is not possible to apply for the awards, you must be nominated. The selection involves a rigorous and confidential process. And since no candidates are interviewed directly the selection, the recipient first learns of being named a MacArthur Fellow by way of a phone call from the Foundation. "The call can be life-changing, coming as it does out of the blue and offering highly creative women and men the gift of time and the unfettered opportunity to explore, create, and contribute," said Jonathan F. Fanton, president of the MacArthur Foundation.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Two Northlanders & A Carpetbagger
Three from the Northland writing group showed up to read at Writers Place last night. Scot, Missi and myself. I being the carpetbagger of the group. They tolerate me, but then they have shortcomings too. They are geographically challenged. They keep referring to me as from the south because I life south of the river... but it is actually way the hell east on the outskirts of hell.
The turnout was.... average. I suppose there were maybe 15 of us. I had some new material. Actually both Scot and Missi had stuff I had not hear before.
The turnout was.... average. I suppose there were maybe 15 of us. I had some new material. Actually both Scot and Missi had stuff I had not hear before.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)