Archive for October 1st, 2008
Wall Street Not The Only Crisis Spot
Gen. McKiernan
While the nation is concentrated on the proposed bailout of Wall Street its attention is diverted from another crisis that has been brewing for some time. This one, on the battlegrounds of Afghanistan.
There has been a renewed insurgency in Afghanistan. The safe haven the Taliban and al Qaeda has found in northern Pakistan has proven problematic as well.
Many of us feel that the war in Iraq diverted the military’s attention from the real enemy, concentrated in Afghanistan. Now the top U.S. military commander there is, in essence, echoing those concerns.
Gen. David McKiernan is making an urgent public plea for more troops and resources in Afghanistan. His comments came during a briefing with Pentagon reporters.
How sad it is that the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, responsible for the prosecution of the war against the true terrorists who attacked the United States on September 11, 2001, responsible for the safety and well being of U.S. and, by extension, NATO troops in country, has to resort to a public plea for help.
His commander-in-chief, President Bush, has, obviously, been asleep at the switch here. It’s increasingly clear that Bush has no vision of his own. That there are others in the administration, most likely led by the elusive Vice-President Dick Cheney, who are telling him what to do and what to say.
Apparently, Cheney and his cronies are far more concerned with Iraq than they are with the true battle ground – Afghanistan.
Here We Go Again, Bailout Round 2
It failed in the House, so now, they’re going to try tonight to pass a bailout package in the Senate.
The idea is, if the Senate OKs the revised version of the bill, it will put massive pressure on the House to follow suit.
Polling data indicates the public doesn’t know what Congress should do about the financial crisis gripping the country. Just that something should be done.
There are those who believe that waiting out the storm is the answer. They are like the people who ignore evacuation orders as a hurricane approaches. Despite the prediction of “certain death” some people elected to stay. And some of them survive. So too, many argue, will the economy survive.
Others say the bailout is necessary because it’s not just Wall Street that’s affected. We all are. Businesses, they say, may have to layoff people, or even close shop, if they can’t obtain credit.
The strong public reaction against a bailout of Wall Street caused President Bush to reformat the argument yesterday. Instead of describing it as a rescue of the financial industry, he’s trying to convince the public that it’s a rescue of their jobs, their homes and their communities.
But President Bush is a lame duck. His approval rating is low. His influence on the process is minimal. Despite strong administration arm twisting, the first bill failed, largely because Republicans, members of his own party, voted no.
The big political problem here, as I’ve previously suggested, is that proponents haven’t had the time to sell this package to the American people. And there are significant numbers who are so enraged about the proposal that voting in favor of it isn’t the most politically palatable thing to do.
Discussing The Bailout On News Talk Online
The failed attempt at a bailout of Wall Street was Tuesday’s topic on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com.
Many callers agreed with guest host Dan Warner that the economy will do just fine if left to find its own level.
Today’s topic: the upcoming vice-presidential debate. That’s at 5 PM New York time. To particiapte CLICK HERE.
