So, Palestinians are using human shields en masse to block IAF targeted bombings of houses (BBC, Ha'aretz). A couple quick reactions, both of which are actually negative for the Palestinians:
(1) Bad publicity. Supports those who say that Palestinians deserve the treatment they get because they are supportive of terror in their midst. Generally, this is rebutted by the assertion that Palestinians in places such as Beit Hanoun have no choice because they would be killed/hurt if they object to the launching of Qassam missiles (or suicide bombings or what have you).
(2) Paves the way to let Israel launch these attacks unannounced, based on the negative publicity of (1). Deliberately putting citizens in harm's way is a crime, regardless of who is doing it. Citizens who decide to put themselves in harm's way are becoming combatants.
I don't think this is a good way to go. As regards my point (1), I still don't agree with it--I just assert that a lot of people will invoke it. This is one way that the Palestinians in Beit Hanoun can show their opposition to Israel. I don't think it necessarily shows that they support Qassam launching, just that they can't do anything about it, and they may as well express their anger about the situation in some sort of manner that may help save some people or houses as well. It's like the Lebanese who were caught in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict: what are they supposed to do, side with Israel?
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Monday, November 06, 2006
The decline continues
What kind of country allows this sort of statement from a member of its government?
I mean, we all knew. But for Olmert and, especially, Peretz and Labor to sit there and act like this is acceptable is disgusting.
To say that any statement made by a member of the government automatically represents the government is false; but there are certain lines that should not be crossed.
I mean, we all knew. But for Olmert and, especially, Peretz and Labor to sit there and act like this is acceptable is disgusting.
To say that any statement made by a member of the government automatically represents the government is false; but there are certain lines that should not be crossed.
An eventful weekend
Well, I was doing a lot of work this weekend, but I did manage to do a couple of really fun things, which I will talk about in chronological order.
First, I got to go see Borat on Friday night. Of course, everyone was looking forward to this. I was wondering what sort of reception it would get. No worries. It was a bit more lowbrow than I expected (not sure why I expected it would be any more sophisticated) and while it had its moments of higher-level humor it had plenty of gross-out antics as well (more than plenty, really). I think everyone was fairly satisfied. Personally, I give it 3 of 4 stars - of course, the same as Berardinelli.
Second, I got to go to the TAMU-OU football game on Saturday in College Station. It was a close A&M loss (17-16). I did get some cool pictures which I will try to post when I get a chance (probably on Facebook first though). I guess Coach Franchione has been taking some heat all year for questionable calls and there were definitely some in this game. A&M's defense made good adjustments and was great after a tough first quarter, but the offense never came through, and Franchione made two decisions to kick field goals in the second half rather than going for it on fourth down. Had they made it once on fourth down and gone on to score a touchdown, they would have at least tied this game.
First, I got to go see Borat on Friday night. Of course, everyone was looking forward to this. I was wondering what sort of reception it would get. No worries. It was a bit more lowbrow than I expected (not sure why I expected it would be any more sophisticated) and while it had its moments of higher-level humor it had plenty of gross-out antics as well (more than plenty, really). I think everyone was fairly satisfied. Personally, I give it 3 of 4 stars - of course, the same as Berardinelli.
Second, I got to go to the TAMU-OU football game on Saturday in College Station. It was a close A&M loss (17-16). I did get some cool pictures which I will try to post when I get a chance (probably on Facebook first though). I guess Coach Franchione has been taking some heat all year for questionable calls and there were definitely some in this game. A&M's defense made good adjustments and was great after a tough first quarter, but the offense never came through, and Franchione made two decisions to kick field goals in the second half rather than going for it on fourth down. Had they made it once on fourth down and gone on to score a touchdown, they would have at least tied this game.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Bush is predicting again!
"If their electoral predictions are as reliable as their economic predictions, Nov. 7 is going to be a good day for the Republicans." --George W. Bush on the Democrats. (see article)
Several possible reactions:
a) Which economic predictions are talking about here? The ones that said that inequality would continue to increase and good jobs would continue to not be created?
b) Or the ones that said tax cuts would close the deficit?
c) Perhaps if "good day for the Republicans" means the day their pensive rebuilding can begin.
d) And if your electoral predictions are as reliable as your Iraq predictions...
Several possible reactions:
a) Which economic predictions are talking about here? The ones that said that inequality would continue to increase and good jobs would continue to not be created?
b) Or the ones that said tax cuts would close the deficit?
c) Perhaps if "good day for the Republicans" means the day their pensive rebuilding can begin.
d) And if your electoral predictions are as reliable as your Iraq predictions...
Beitenu is home
So Lieberman has agreed to join the government and take one ministry. He hopes to force out Labor eventually and take more. Meanwhile Labor is evenly divided about what to do. Arab members of Labor say they'll quit if Lieberman joins and Peretz is technically opposed, but influential members want to do it. Peretz is doomed and Labor is weak...
Who is Labor? What is the reason for the party's existence, other than opportunism? Technically, I guess, it represents secular, economic left, non-dovish voters. But how many of those are around? Eventually everyone who represents the hawkish (and economically liberal) wing will join Kadima (or whoever succeeds it) and everyone from the dovish side will unite with Meretz-Yahad. Or so one would think. But the remaining structure and advantages that exist (resources) to campaigning with Labor may continue to prolong the agony.
Who is Labor? What is the reason for the party's existence, other than opportunism? Technically, I guess, it represents secular, economic left, non-dovish voters. But how many of those are around? Eventually everyone who represents the hawkish (and economically liberal) wing will join Kadima (or whoever succeeds it) and everyone from the dovish side will unite with Meretz-Yahad. Or so one would think. But the remaining structure and advantages that exist (resources) to campaigning with Labor may continue to prolong the agony.
Monday, October 23, 2006
My relative optimism
It is finally time to be optimistic again about U.S. politics. Kind of. I mean, the Democrats still have no plan whatsoever, but at least the Republicans will have to stop implementing their plan, and that's worth it.
As I'm still not registered to vote in Texas (oops), I will be voting absentee for, uh, whoever I am registered to vote for in Washington. That means a vote for Maria Cantwell, and perhaps Jim McDermott, or maybe Jay Inslee, if one of those is my representative (maybe it's someone else entirely). Inslee is a good representative of the 1st District and he'll be in Congress for a while to come unless he leaves of his own accord.
On the national level, I'd still love to see Lieberman get beat. Not that I love Ned Lamont (who?) but I hate Joe Lieberman. Here in Texas we have a four-way governor's race that means Governor Perry will probably get reelected somehow. I daresay this won't help Houston's inequalities.
Perhaps more later, but we all know the States isn't my specialty.
As I'm still not registered to vote in Texas (oops), I will be voting absentee for, uh, whoever I am registered to vote for in Washington. That means a vote for Maria Cantwell, and perhaps Jim McDermott, or maybe Jay Inslee, if one of those is my representative (maybe it's someone else entirely). Inslee is a good representative of the 1st District and he'll be in Congress for a while to come unless he leaves of his own accord.
On the national level, I'd still love to see Lieberman get beat. Not that I love Ned Lamont (who?) but I hate Joe Lieberman. Here in Texas we have a four-way governor's race that means Governor Perry will probably get reelected somehow. I daresay this won't help Houston's inequalities.
Perhaps more later, but we all know the States isn't my specialty.
Quantifying coffee
The New York Times has an interesting article about Starbucks in which is discussed the company's foray into creating culture (not just the perfect brew).
Meanwhile, from here in Houston I've been debating how to label Starbucks. It's certainly true (as most would agree) that the experience here is not the equal of that in the Seattle area. So far I've come up with a few areas: ambience (environment, cleanliness), service (speed, friendliness), drink quality, etc. There are a number of subcategories to each. As a former barista I have the advantage of knowing what was looked for by "Snapshots" (the outsiders the company hires to rate service).
Soon I hope to start categorizing the service I get and, hopefully, become influential on the Houston Starbucks scene.
Meanwhile, from here in Houston I've been debating how to label Starbucks. It's certainly true (as most would agree) that the experience here is not the equal of that in the Seattle area. So far I've come up with a few areas: ambience (environment, cleanliness), service (speed, friendliness), drink quality, etc. There are a number of subcategories to each. As a former barista I have the advantage of knowing what was looked for by "Snapshots" (the outsiders the company hires to rate service).
Soon I hope to start categorizing the service I get and, hopefully, become influential on the Houston Starbucks scene.
Monday, September 04, 2006
On the world today
It's been a while since I've had the time to make a post on here. The world has changed in those three months. We've gone from "convergence" in IsPal to the new Lebanese war... Iraq is, well, okay, Iraq is still bad and getting worse...
Briefly: I never thought I'd be getting tired of the Middle East, but I finally am. Like everyone else, I have my tolerance level. That said, I still read Ha'aretz pretty regularly and I still generally think a real Palestinian state is the best way to go. The proposed unity government will be a good thing if it gets off the ground. For a while, the calls for the dissolution of the PNA looked like a good idea, but at this point if a unity government can be constituted and call for deployment of an international force in the territories, it would be a very positive step and one that Israel would have less traction in responding to (at least it would put Israel on the defensive, not that they'd ever agree to the idea, yet).
And Mexico! The U.S. government has done a good job of staying out. Calderon is the winner, and I feel comfortable saying that having supported AMLO in the election. Once the IFE certifies Calderon, AMLO will have a much tougher time getting out supporters, or so it should be hoped.
Plenty else is going on, but I don't have that much time. I'll be back as soon as I can to keep offering my unrequested thoughts on whatever catches my eye.
Briefly: I never thought I'd be getting tired of the Middle East, but I finally am. Like everyone else, I have my tolerance level. That said, I still read Ha'aretz pretty regularly and I still generally think a real Palestinian state is the best way to go. The proposed unity government will be a good thing if it gets off the ground. For a while, the calls for the dissolution of the PNA looked like a good idea, but at this point if a unity government can be constituted and call for deployment of an international force in the territories, it would be a very positive step and one that Israel would have less traction in responding to (at least it would put Israel on the defensive, not that they'd ever agree to the idea, yet).
And Mexico! The U.S. government has done a good job of staying out. Calderon is the winner, and I feel comfortable saying that having supported AMLO in the election. Once the IFE certifies Calderon, AMLO will have a much tougher time getting out supporters, or so it should be hoped.
Plenty else is going on, but I don't have that much time. I'll be back as soon as I can to keep offering my unrequested thoughts on whatever catches my eye.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
On leave...
Hey all, should have mentioned it earlier, but I'm taking some time off, since (1) I just graduated from college, so I am no longer a random college student, and (2) I'm in a pretty intensive summer program at the moment. So, I will be back... when I'm back!
Friday, May 26, 2006
Referendum?
Abbas says he'll call a referendum. Hamas says he'll need to go through Parliament to do it. In the end, he'd probably be able to do it...
The plan that was worked out in an Israeli jail isn't that new. Would there be any ramifications beyond Hamas' agreement? Doubtful--surveys have indicated Palestinian support for the same thing for years and had no effect. Israelis have never particularly cared about the Palestinian stance, only about their own practical concerns.
About a referendum... I assume this is a PA referendum and not a "Palestinian" referendum, since there is talk about the PLC needing to approve the thing. The latter sort of referendum would encompass Palestinians in camps in other Arab nations--and possibly other exiles too. A logistical nightmare, but to be truly legitimate, the referendum (or at least the final referendum on a peace plan, if there is one) would have to include them. It won't. They are being ignored and will continue to be, except as a bargaining chip.
Another interesting note: So, the boycott led Hamas to agree to transfer control of finance to Abbas. Huh. Weren't they elected to clean up Palestinian government and crack down on corruption? And now Abbas and Fatah will control finances again? Huh. Oh well, the boycott was worth it...
The plan that was worked out in an Israeli jail isn't that new. Would there be any ramifications beyond Hamas' agreement? Doubtful--surveys have indicated Palestinian support for the same thing for years and had no effect. Israelis have never particularly cared about the Palestinian stance, only about their own practical concerns.
About a referendum... I assume this is a PA referendum and not a "Palestinian" referendum, since there is talk about the PLC needing to approve the thing. The latter sort of referendum would encompass Palestinians in camps in other Arab nations--and possibly other exiles too. A logistical nightmare, but to be truly legitimate, the referendum (or at least the final referendum on a peace plan, if there is one) would have to include them. It won't. They are being ignored and will continue to be, except as a bargaining chip.
Another interesting note: So, the boycott led Hamas to agree to transfer control of finance to Abbas. Huh. Weren't they elected to clean up Palestinian government and crack down on corruption? And now Abbas and Fatah will control finances again? Huh. Oh well, the boycott was worth it...
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