The current meltdown and resulting panic within the U.S. and international financial system have, as their proximate cause, a long slow fuse which was burning for years towards a dynamite charge consisting of bad loans, sliced and diced into mortgage-backed securities whose stability was only as solid as the credit-worthiness of people who could not afford them, and of the banks and bond aggregators who could not have cared less.
The chickens began coming home to roost when institutional holders of these bad debts slowly realized that the stability behind many of these bundled securities – far too many – was, in effect, as secure as a morning fog quickly dissipating under the penetrating light of the sun.
Every American who gives a hoot is now choking, trying to swallow the alphabet soup explanation of high-falutin’ abbreviations and names such as CDO’s, credit default swaps, naked short selling, derivatives, etc., ad nauseam.
It took thousands of very bright people throughout the financial industry, working hand in hand with sharp government administrators and legislators to set up the financial models and to write the rules and legislation which caused this crash. Adequate governmental oversight was either ignored or, worse, was dismantled. We no longer know what is safe and what isn’t.
But a technical understanding of the financially sophisticated way by which mortgages were marketed, securitized, and resold, and the way in which government was complicit does very little in helping to comprehend the underlying causality.
So, if all these people were so bright and intelligent, then what? Not that hard to understand. Ordinary citizens can perceive the answer: There was a collectively massive collapse of character and fiduciary responsibility, leading to a breakdown of institutional and governmental integrity. Our elected and appointed officials gave the store away, while Wall Street wizards thought they could get out before the collapse.
But it was too big, and it came down too fast.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Drilling Off the New Jersey Coast
NIMBY: Not in my back yard. For decades, this has been the mantra of those who have successfully sought to prevent drilling for oil off the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts. Well, that’s just changed. Democrat leadership in both the House and Senate dropped their support for keeping a moratorium on Atlantic and Pacific coastal drilling in effect. The next president, whoever he is, needs to make sure it stays that way.
It’s about time. For too long, we have relied on oil from unstable nations in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia, Venezuela to our south, and Russia, not only to keep us supplied, but to keep all the potentially nasty problems of oil production far away from us, elsewhere in the world. We nervously watch oil prices shoot up every time that a potentially major hurricane threatens to temporarily halt drilling in the western Gulf of Mexico and to shut down refineries along the Texas coastline and bordering states.
The Canadian government has already announced that it will begin exploring for oil on the continental shelf of the Grand Banks. We could do the same on our section of the Grand Banks, in the Gulf of Maine, and off the New Jersey coast. But oh no: NIMBY.
Too many vain and unrealistic politicians want the oil spigots to remain wide open, but don’t want oil rigs nearby. I say baloney to that. We either stop using as much oil as we do (it won’t happen voluntarily) or we go where the oil is – and, that’s in our own back yard right here in America.
It’s about time. For too long, we have relied on oil from unstable nations in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia, Venezuela to our south, and Russia, not only to keep us supplied, but to keep all the potentially nasty problems of oil production far away from us, elsewhere in the world. We nervously watch oil prices shoot up every time that a potentially major hurricane threatens to temporarily halt drilling in the western Gulf of Mexico and to shut down refineries along the Texas coastline and bordering states.
The Canadian government has already announced that it will begin exploring for oil on the continental shelf of the Grand Banks. We could do the same on our section of the Grand Banks, in the Gulf of Maine, and off the New Jersey coast. But oh no: NIMBY.
Too many vain and unrealistic politicians want the oil spigots to remain wide open, but don’t want oil rigs nearby. I say baloney to that. We either stop using as much oil as we do (it won’t happen voluntarily) or we go where the oil is – and, that’s in our own back yard right here in America.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Bridgewater-Raritan’s Everyday Math Program
What is the answer to seven times seven? Quickly! You may know the correct result, but does your elementary school child enrolled in the Bridgewater-Raritan school district know? That, in a nutshell, is the educational controversy which is now swirling about in this school district.
Two weeks ago today, I attended a work session of the B-R Board of Education at which there was a special presentation and discussion of Everyday Math. The basis for the Board’s lengthy discussion was a quarter-inch thick report on double-sided paper. The report summarized the completed work of a 9-member Everyday Math (EDM) Committee, all educators except two parents from the B-R School District.
Outcome: A written response by Superindent Michael Schilder which, among other points, recommends that he “. . . direct a sub-committee of the Five-Year K4 Mathematics Program Evaluation Committee to review mathematics programs other than Everyday Math for consideration of adoption.”
The preceding quote is a mouthful, but it simply means that another committee (no parents this time) will be charged with reviewing EDM and other Math programs further. By February, 2009, the new committee is to come up with potential alternatives that may replace EDM – note the conditionality and ambiguity of this sentence.
The ensuing discussion among board members, the superintendent and his assistant superintendent, Cheryl Dyer was lively and controversial. There is no unanimity of agreement on the status of EDM between the B-R BOE and the administration.
My concern is that the September 9, 2008, meeting of the B-R BOE was a work session. No formal board action can legally take place at such a meeting unless it is specifically placed on the agenda and identified as an item on which “action may be taken.” That means a formal resolution, published on an agenda, in advance under the Open Public Meetings act, presented to the board, discussed by board members, and opened to the public for comment before the board votes on it.
No such item appeared on the agenda of the September 9th meeting with respect to action to be taken on EDM. The agenda item listed was to be for discussion only. The significance of this is that the sub-committee referred to in Dr. Schilder’s recommendation may already be a done deal, without formal board action having been taken.
At the end of the Tuesday, September 9th meeting, the B-R BOE did not fully concur with Dr. Schilder’s sub-committee proposal. There was very strong opposition to the formation of such a committee by at least several members of the board. Even more seemed to be opposed to the EDM program, but wished to let the sub-committee go forward. Very confusing! That’s why the B-R BOE needs to place this item on its agenda for a regular board meeting and schedule it for an up or down vote as to whether or not to proceed with the Superintendent’s recommendation for another committee.
This clearly is a policy matter, one of the few issues for which a board of education has direct oversight responsibilities. Additionally, preparation of a board agenda is one of the other few items over which a school board president – Cynthia Cullen in this case – has direct accountability.
If this is not done, the sub-committee will be formed, move ahead with its work and will issue a report in mid-February, 2009, just in time to start up another April school election controversy!
Two weeks ago today, I attended a work session of the B-R Board of Education at which there was a special presentation and discussion of Everyday Math. The basis for the Board’s lengthy discussion was a quarter-inch thick report on double-sided paper. The report summarized the completed work of a 9-member Everyday Math (EDM) Committee, all educators except two parents from the B-R School District.
Outcome: A written response by Superindent Michael Schilder which, among other points, recommends that he “. . . direct a sub-committee of the Five-Year K4 Mathematics Program Evaluation Committee to review mathematics programs other than Everyday Math for consideration of adoption.”
The preceding quote is a mouthful, but it simply means that another committee (no parents this time) will be charged with reviewing EDM and other Math programs further. By February, 2009, the new committee is to come up with potential alternatives that may replace EDM – note the conditionality and ambiguity of this sentence.
The ensuing discussion among board members, the superintendent and his assistant superintendent, Cheryl Dyer was lively and controversial. There is no unanimity of agreement on the status of EDM between the B-R BOE and the administration.
My concern is that the September 9, 2008, meeting of the B-R BOE was a work session. No formal board action can legally take place at such a meeting unless it is specifically placed on the agenda and identified as an item on which “action may be taken.” That means a formal resolution, published on an agenda, in advance under the Open Public Meetings act, presented to the board, discussed by board members, and opened to the public for comment before the board votes on it.
No such item appeared on the agenda of the September 9th meeting with respect to action to be taken on EDM. The agenda item listed was to be for discussion only. The significance of this is that the sub-committee referred to in Dr. Schilder’s recommendation may already be a done deal, without formal board action having been taken.
At the end of the Tuesday, September 9th meeting, the B-R BOE did not fully concur with Dr. Schilder’s sub-committee proposal. There was very strong opposition to the formation of such a committee by at least several members of the board. Even more seemed to be opposed to the EDM program, but wished to let the sub-committee go forward. Very confusing! That’s why the B-R BOE needs to place this item on its agenda for a regular board meeting and schedule it for an up or down vote as to whether or not to proceed with the Superintendent’s recommendation for another committee.
This clearly is a policy matter, one of the few issues for which a board of education has direct oversight responsibilities. Additionally, preparation of a board agenda is one of the other few items over which a school board president – Cynthia Cullen in this case – has direct accountability.
If this is not done, the sub-committee will be formed, move ahead with its work and will issue a report in mid-February, 2009, just in time to start up another April school election controversy!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Finally, Action!
It’s hard to believe what Congress was about to do in the midst of the financial crisis engulfing the nation. A week from today, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives were scheduled to go home for three months without lifting a finger to stem the financial markets meltdown. They will not return until after January 1st, 2009.
That may not sound plausible, but just read this excerpt of what Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee had to say in a TV interview just two days ago when asked what Congress would do: “It is inconceivable to do anything before the election” . . . we need “to do this in a rational and measured way.” The Bay State representative went on to say, “It is conceivable that after the election, you could get some kind of consensus . . . it is by no means certain.”
That was on Wednesday. A day later the entire picture, as well as the attitude of this do-nothing Congress made a 180° turn.
We don’t know what words were used by Hank Paulson, Secretary of the Treasury, and Ben Bernanke in a closed door meeting of key legislators yesterday. Whatever both men said, it was enough to light a fire under economically timid and reluctant Republican and Democrat lawmakers. The word is that they have accepted an Administration proposal to unravel the chaos.
If no one throws a monkey wrench in the works, the nation should have a comprehensive law to fix things before these bozos go on vacation. (According to an August 27, Rasmussen report, “just 9% of likely voters give congress positive ratings.”)
That may not sound plausible, but just read this excerpt of what Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee had to say in a TV interview just two days ago when asked what Congress would do: “It is inconceivable to do anything before the election” . . . we need “to do this in a rational and measured way.” The Bay State representative went on to say, “It is conceivable that after the election, you could get some kind of consensus . . . it is by no means certain.”
That was on Wednesday. A day later the entire picture, as well as the attitude of this do-nothing Congress made a 180° turn.
We don’t know what words were used by Hank Paulson, Secretary of the Treasury, and Ben Bernanke in a closed door meeting of key legislators yesterday. Whatever both men said, it was enough to light a fire under economically timid and reluctant Republican and Democrat lawmakers. The word is that they have accepted an Administration proposal to unravel the chaos.
If no one throws a monkey wrench in the works, the nation should have a comprehensive law to fix things before these bozos go on vacation. (According to an August 27, Rasmussen report, “just 9% of likely voters give congress positive ratings.”)
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Blaah . . . Blaah . . . Blaah!
This is one of those times when I am happy to be an independent voter. Today, McCain and Obama responded to questions about what they would do to solve the financial tsunami once more threatening to spread from Wall Street into the cities and towns of mainstream USA. Their answers show how, in the midst of a major fiscal crisis, we are not being well-served by the rhetoric of either candidacy
First, McCain: He proposes to set up an independent, bi-partisan committee to address problems of the type caused by Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch and AIG. Nice try, but just ask the senior Tom Kean who headed up the 9/11 committee and who, to this day, maintains that the committee’s recommendations were never fully enacted. We don’t have the time for that.
Next, Obama: When asked what he would do about the imminent bankruptcy of the world’s largest insurer, AIG, the response from his staff is that his campaign will take no position, because he doesn’t know the status of AIG’s books. How nice: A Harvard education, mind you; and, while the rest of the world knows that investments made by AIG in mortgage-backed securities, as well as credit default swaps (insurance issued on those securities) would take down profitable units of this financial giant and spread to other firms, Obama doesn’t know seem to know this. How credible is that?
Somebody had to act, and now! Somebody just did: As of this writing, the U.S. government, according to a 9:15 p.m., web news release, “has agreed to provide an $85 billion emergency loan to rescue the huge insurer AIG, the Federal Reserve said Tuesday.”
We don’t have to agree with this particular course of action, but at least some people in Washington and on Wall Street have come together to assess the problem and have taken swift action.
Note: For a colorful reaction to the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, see Jay Jefferson Cooke’s essay at, http://www.mycentraljersey.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008809160323
Disclosure: I have a son who works for a fiscally sound subsidiary of AIG.
First, McCain: He proposes to set up an independent, bi-partisan committee to address problems of the type caused by Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch and AIG. Nice try, but just ask the senior Tom Kean who headed up the 9/11 committee and who, to this day, maintains that the committee’s recommendations were never fully enacted. We don’t have the time for that.
Next, Obama: When asked what he would do about the imminent bankruptcy of the world’s largest insurer, AIG, the response from his staff is that his campaign will take no position, because he doesn’t know the status of AIG’s books. How nice: A Harvard education, mind you; and, while the rest of the world knows that investments made by AIG in mortgage-backed securities, as well as credit default swaps (insurance issued on those securities) would take down profitable units of this financial giant and spread to other firms, Obama doesn’t know seem to know this. How credible is that?
Somebody had to act, and now! Somebody just did: As of this writing, the U.S. government, according to a 9:15 p.m., web news release, “has agreed to provide an $85 billion emergency loan to rescue the huge insurer AIG, the Federal Reserve said Tuesday.”
We don’t have to agree with this particular course of action, but at least some people in Washington and on Wall Street have come together to assess the problem and have taken swift action.
Note: For a colorful reaction to the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, see Jay Jefferson Cooke’s essay at, http://www.mycentraljersey.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008809160323
Disclosure: I have a son who works for a fiscally sound subsidiary of AIG.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Political Chicanery
If there’s one thing that gets my dander up, it’s some dolt tapping the keys of a PC, writing some missive about which he knows nothing, not having done any fact-checking. When the result is the savaging of the integrity of a genuine U.S. war hero, it gets my dander up even more.
A recent TV ad by the Obama campaign claims that McCain is out of touch with reality because he can’t send an e-mail and doesn’t know how to use a PC. I’d like to know: Since when did the ability to use these tools automatically impart intelligence, discernment and wisdom to a person? That’s the first argument.
The second is that the impulsive staffers who work for David Plouffe, Obama’s chief strategist, got the basis for their claim disgustingly wrong. Here’s an excerpt from a Boston Globe profile of McCain which appeared on March 4, 2000:
"McCain gets emotional at the mention of military families needing food stamps or veterans lacking health care. The outrage comes from inside: McCain's severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes. Friends marvel at McCain's encyclopedic knowledge of sports. He's an avid fan -- Ted Williams is his hero -- but he can't raise his arm above his shoulder to throw a baseball."
Enough said. Thanks for reading, and take care of yourselves out there; it can be a vicious world at times.
Note: Regardless of your political persuasion, it never hurts to be informed. If you’d like to read the source for this post and see the Obama campaign video, you can view them at, http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/09/obama-ad-email.html. Also, it you have the inclination to read the Boston Globe’s profile on McCain published in March, 2000, it can be found at, http://graphics.boston.com/news/politics/campaign2000/news/McCain_character_loyal_to_a_fault+.shtml . The story begins with McCain’s response to a political thrust against the gay major of Tempe Arizona.
A recent TV ad by the Obama campaign claims that McCain is out of touch with reality because he can’t send an e-mail and doesn’t know how to use a PC. I’d like to know: Since when did the ability to use these tools automatically impart intelligence, discernment and wisdom to a person? That’s the first argument.
The second is that the impulsive staffers who work for David Plouffe, Obama’s chief strategist, got the basis for their claim disgustingly wrong. Here’s an excerpt from a Boston Globe profile of McCain which appeared on March 4, 2000:
"McCain gets emotional at the mention of military families needing food stamps or veterans lacking health care. The outrage comes from inside: McCain's severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes. Friends marvel at McCain's encyclopedic knowledge of sports. He's an avid fan -- Ted Williams is his hero -- but he can't raise his arm above his shoulder to throw a baseball."
Enough said. Thanks for reading, and take care of yourselves out there; it can be a vicious world at times.
Note: Regardless of your political persuasion, it never hurts to be informed. If you’d like to read the source for this post and see the Obama campaign video, you can view them at, http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/09/obama-ad-email.html. Also, it you have the inclination to read the Boston Globe’s profile on McCain published in March, 2000, it can be found at, http://graphics.boston.com/news/politics/campaign2000/news/McCain_character_loyal_to_a_fault+.shtml . The story begins with McCain’s response to a political thrust against the gay major of Tempe Arizona.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Is This Price Gouging?
On my way back from a few errands in Somerset County, I wanted to fill the half-empty gas tank of my car. Pointing it west on Route 22, I decided to stop at an independent Liberty gas station where, yesterday, September 11, my wife gassed up her auto at $3.39 per gallon, regular.
On the way there, I saw two Exxon stations which service both directions of Route 22, near ShopRite. They posted prices of $3.45. The next gas station going west, Valero, posted $3.59. Just past that, on the eastbound side, Gulf also showed $3.59.
As I approached the Liberty gas station, the posted price for regular had gone up .30¢ overnight to $3.69! I drove past it, turned back east on Route 22, and stopped at the Exxon across from ShopRite, filling up for $3.45. Waiting at the pump, I was in disbelief at the price back at Liberty. I must have misread the big sign on the highway. How could it have gone up .30¢ in 24 hours?
My tank full, I needed to satisfy myself that I had this right. Pulling away from Exxon, I negotiated the first jughandle, reversing direction back west on Route 22. Slowing down slightly as I passed the Liberty gas station, the big sign read $3.69, regular. I wasn’t dreaming!
I hope that Somerset County officials check this out: because, although there may be a sound economic reason for this, it smells like a skunk.
(Note: The word Friday afternoon is that stations ordering gas now may have to pay as much as .50¢ per gallon above the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange) price, due to Hurricane Ike. Still, are some stations out there with gas in their storage tanks purchased at lower prices taking advantage of the hurricane to jack up prices?)
On the way there, I saw two Exxon stations which service both directions of Route 22, near ShopRite. They posted prices of $3.45. The next gas station going west, Valero, posted $3.59. Just past that, on the eastbound side, Gulf also showed $3.59.
As I approached the Liberty gas station, the posted price for regular had gone up .30¢ overnight to $3.69! I drove past it, turned back east on Route 22, and stopped at the Exxon across from ShopRite, filling up for $3.45. Waiting at the pump, I was in disbelief at the price back at Liberty. I must have misread the big sign on the highway. How could it have gone up .30¢ in 24 hours?
My tank full, I needed to satisfy myself that I had this right. Pulling away from Exxon, I negotiated the first jughandle, reversing direction back west on Route 22. Slowing down slightly as I passed the Liberty gas station, the big sign read $3.69, regular. I wasn’t dreaming!
I hope that Somerset County officials check this out: because, although there may be a sound economic reason for this, it smells like a skunk.
(Note: The word Friday afternoon is that stations ordering gas now may have to pay as much as .50¢ per gallon above the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange) price, due to Hurricane Ike. Still, are some stations out there with gas in their storage tanks purchased at lower prices taking advantage of the hurricane to jack up prices?)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
A Place to Remember
The inscription on the plaque affixed to the horizontal beam salvaged from one of the World Trade Towers is very simple and direct:
A Place to Remember
A Tribute to Life, Lives Lost, and Lives Changed Forever
September 11, 2001
It’s located in a circle of fidelity at Harry Dunham Park in Bernards Township, near the northern tip of Bridgewater. The location of this park memorial is at the confluence of two semi-elliptical walking paths, one large, one small, where they conjoin. The design is well thought out, evidently intended to not let a walker forget as he/she circles the park in exercise.
Late in the afternoon, after parking the car and walking towards ‘A Place to Remember,’ Pris and I saw from the distance the figure of a lone man in a dark business suit standing still, his body straight, his head bent down, his eyes fixed upon the inscription etched in one of the square slates. The names on that plate must have represented loved ones or friends who perished on that dreadful day seven years ago.
The U.S. flag fluttered quietly at half-staff and three bouquets rested on top of the beam, just below the ‘Place to Remember’ inscription. A pot of mums had been placed at the foot of the plaque.
I have written about this honored site before. I’m sure that I will write about it again. I don’t want to forget. Nor do I forget Osama bin Laden – one of the world’s greatest malignant minds – who stays holed up under the protection of his Pakistani patrons in the mountainous region of northwestern Pakistan known as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, far away from the steely hand of justice.
A Place to Remember
A Tribute to Life, Lives Lost, and Lives Changed Forever
September 11, 2001
It’s located in a circle of fidelity at Harry Dunham Park in Bernards Township, near the northern tip of Bridgewater. The location of this park memorial is at the confluence of two semi-elliptical walking paths, one large, one small, where they conjoin. The design is well thought out, evidently intended to not let a walker forget as he/she circles the park in exercise.
Late in the afternoon, after parking the car and walking towards ‘A Place to Remember,’ Pris and I saw from the distance the figure of a lone man in a dark business suit standing still, his body straight, his head bent down, his eyes fixed upon the inscription etched in one of the square slates. The names on that plate must have represented loved ones or friends who perished on that dreadful day seven years ago.
The U.S. flag fluttered quietly at half-staff and three bouquets rested on top of the beam, just below the ‘Place to Remember’ inscription. A pot of mums had been placed at the foot of the plaque.
I have written about this honored site before. I’m sure that I will write about it again. I don’t want to forget. Nor do I forget Osama bin Laden – one of the world’s greatest malignant minds – who stays holed up under the protection of his Pakistani patrons in the mountainous region of northwestern Pakistan known as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, far away from the steely hand of justice.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Boring Wordsmiths
A new lingo seems to have crept into American English mainly through TV talk show hosts, commentators and their guests who have come to use it profusely. The jargon revolves around meaningless expressions such as ‘going forward’ and ‘on the ground.’
Tonight I heard a CNN talking head ask one of her guests in a most serious tone, “….what do you think the strategy is ‘going forward?’” Campbell Brown could simply have asked, “What is the strategy?”
You might think that this is not a big deal. It’s not. But it’s a symptom of the low level of sophistication that passes for newsworthy reporting and analysis on the boob tube. The term ‘going forward’ is appended to thousands of sentences every day like kernels of corn bursting into popcorn in my stove-top Whirley-Pop. Popcorn tastes great. Useless word appendages don’t.
A second wordsmith attachment often stuck to the end of sentences by TV talking heads is the expression, ‘on the ground.’ When originally used in its derivative sense to highlight the debate over the number of soldiers that were required in Iraq, the term had import. Now, it’s seemingly thrown about on any topic having to do with military issues or with simply trying to sound credible.
We keep hearing about ‘boots on the ground.’ By golly where else would they be? Or, we might hear a well-paid TV analyst trying to add gravitas to his/her conclusion by saying something like, “John/Jane Doe is flying to Iraq next week, and will talk to Nouri al-Maliki so that he/she can get the facts ‘on the ground.’”
I hope the person dispatched to Baghdad didn’t get shot in the butt by a sniper, as he/she was walking about that beleaguered city, bending over to collect facts ‘on the ground’ in order that we uninformed citizens could understand what strategy is proposed ‘going forward.’
Tonight I heard a CNN talking head ask one of her guests in a most serious tone, “….what do you think the strategy is ‘going forward?’” Campbell Brown could simply have asked, “What is the strategy?”
You might think that this is not a big deal. It’s not. But it’s a symptom of the low level of sophistication that passes for newsworthy reporting and analysis on the boob tube. The term ‘going forward’ is appended to thousands of sentences every day like kernels of corn bursting into popcorn in my stove-top Whirley-Pop. Popcorn tastes great. Useless word appendages don’t.
A second wordsmith attachment often stuck to the end of sentences by TV talking heads is the expression, ‘on the ground.’ When originally used in its derivative sense to highlight the debate over the number of soldiers that were required in Iraq, the term had import. Now, it’s seemingly thrown about on any topic having to do with military issues or with simply trying to sound credible.
We keep hearing about ‘boots on the ground.’ By golly where else would they be? Or, we might hear a well-paid TV analyst trying to add gravitas to his/her conclusion by saying something like, “John/Jane Doe is flying to Iraq next week, and will talk to Nouri al-Maliki so that he/she can get the facts ‘on the ground.’”
I hope the person dispatched to Baghdad didn’t get shot in the butt by a sniper, as he/she was walking about that beleaguered city, bending over to collect facts ‘on the ground’ in order that we uninformed citizens could understand what strategy is proposed ‘going forward.’
Friday, September 5, 2008
The Restless Russian Bear
In the middle of the Olympic Games in China when the world was distracted, Russian troops stormed over the border into South Ossetia, a long-contested separatist region of Georgia, both of which were part of the former U.S.S.R.
Immediately after the invasion, President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice responded with a strongly-worded, verbal defense of this small, beleaguered republic. The two presidential candidates were quick to add their support for Georgia, with McCain uttering tough words and Obama, well . . . not-so-tough.
No matter. If Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili expected more than verbal support from the U.S., he should have checked in with Washington before he decided to launch a rocket attack against South Ossetia on August 7. That barrage was the only excuse that Russia needed to launch an invasion of this tiny country – an act for which Putin was undoubtedly set to go and for which he needed only the slightest pretext.
Saakashvili made a key strategic blunder. He should have realized that the U.S. is currently in no position to military engage Russia on his behalf at a time when our troops are committed in Afghanistan and in Iraq. Dead, displaced and injured Georgians are now paying the price of this miscalculation.
Note: For an excellent analysis of this conflict, see http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7549736.stm
Immediately after the invasion, President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice responded with a strongly-worded, verbal defense of this small, beleaguered republic. The two presidential candidates were quick to add their support for Georgia, with McCain uttering tough words and Obama, well . . . not-so-tough.
No matter. If Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili expected more than verbal support from the U.S., he should have checked in with Washington before he decided to launch a rocket attack against South Ossetia on August 7. That barrage was the only excuse that Russia needed to launch an invasion of this tiny country – an act for which Putin was undoubtedly set to go and for which he needed only the slightest pretext.
Saakashvili made a key strategic blunder. He should have realized that the U.S. is currently in no position to military engage Russia on his behalf at a time when our troops are committed in Afghanistan and in Iraq. Dead, displaced and injured Georgians are now paying the price of this miscalculation.
Note: For an excellent analysis of this conflict, see http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7549736.stm
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Let’s Roll!
Early Wednesday morning, school buses of the Bridgewater-Raritan School District, as well as those of its contractors will roll out of their garages and parking lots and head to their first pickup location. They will then crisscross the Township and the Borough, loading up with a first-day-of-school cargo of students. On Garretson Road, upper classmen who have coveted passes for high school parking will be pulling into the lots in private cars.
It’s going to be a particularly critical time to be alert, especially after a summer of driving in Bridgewater and Raritan with those big yellow buses off the road. Bus drivers are well-trained and know what they are doing. Many of those who work directly for the district have a long history of solid experience, know safety well, and are as familiar with Bridgewater and Raritan roads as they are with the back of their hands.
Unfortunately, they are also only too familiar with the few – but very dangerous drivers – whose passion for speed and for bending the rules of the road could result in an accident. When you see the flashing lights of a bus as it slows down for a stop, don’t give in to the urge to quickly pass it by. There are plenty of kids in this district, but none to spare.
The Educational Services Commission of Somerset County, which covers an even larger geographic area, will also have its vans and buses out on the road transporting kids, so it would be a good idea for everybody involved to have an extra amount of patience in the next two weeks.
It’s going to be a particularly critical time to be alert, especially after a summer of driving in Bridgewater and Raritan with those big yellow buses off the road. Bus drivers are well-trained and know what they are doing. Many of those who work directly for the district have a long history of solid experience, know safety well, and are as familiar with Bridgewater and Raritan roads as they are with the back of their hands.
Unfortunately, they are also only too familiar with the few – but very dangerous drivers – whose passion for speed and for bending the rules of the road could result in an accident. When you see the flashing lights of a bus as it slows down for a stop, don’t give in to the urge to quickly pass it by. There are plenty of kids in this district, but none to spare.
The Educational Services Commission of Somerset County, which covers an even larger geographic area, will also have its vans and buses out on the road transporting kids, so it would be a good idea for everybody involved to have an extra amount of patience in the next two weeks.
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