Econo-Girl reflects on the death of a very powerful woman: Jean Kirkpatrick.
Her power made some in America very afraid, like Jesse Jackson. When Jesse Jackson hosted Saturday Night Live, he did an entire skit making fun of how Jean Kirkpatrick looked, mocking the idea that anyone would find her attractive.
Econo-Girl was appalled. Her opinion of Jesse Jackson at that point plummeted. And that was before watching a PBS documentary on Rev. Martin Luther King and the early civil rights movement that showed Jesse Jackson always standing behind Rev. King when a camera was rolling so he could get on t.v. too.
And let's not forget the day after the King assassination that Jesse Jackson yelled and screamed before the Chicago City Council with red on his shirt that he claimed was Dr. King's blood. That claim was later disputed.
And so, the price of prominence for our Jean Kirkpatrick was suffering fools like Jesse Jackson. Attacks on appearance were common in those days for women of substance and policy who dared to be in the public eye. Willing to dare such outrages, my admiration and respect goes out to Jean Kirkpatrick. Rest in peace. We all stand on your shoulders.
12.09.2006
12.08.2006
To Puke on Putin
Our more conspiracy-minded commenters have noted the seeming irregularities associated with a Kremlin hit on their former agent living in London.
In terms of the radioactivity tracing back to planes coming from Russia, well, maybe the FSB is off its game since the cold war. I'm sure they lost a lot of good people to the Russian mob. Or, as the commenter said, the trail back to Mother Russia was deliberate.
And who stands to gain from everyone knowing Putin ordered the assassination of a former FSB agent in London? Putin himself. Talk about chilling free speech. Egad.
But what Putin didn't plan on was the backlash.
Despite the protests of her loyal readers - Econo-Girl maintains that this is going to be one hell of an international incident by the time it is over. Already the case has metasized to Germany.
Econo-Girl thinks that Putin over-reached in targeting a former KGB spy in a place like London. She further thinks that other European countries share the British anger because they are aware if a targeted kill can happen in Britain, it can happen in their country as well. And who wants to cede control of their borders to that extent? No one. Even if a country conceivably didn't care about Russia killing someone on their soil, they certainly can't be seen to be allowing it.
That is why Putin over-reached. Russia still needs Europe. Putin couldn't afford to piss them off like that.
So what did you think, Vladimir? The old glory days were back?
In terms of the radioactivity tracing back to planes coming from Russia, well, maybe the FSB is off its game since the cold war. I'm sure they lost a lot of good people to the Russian mob. Or, as the commenter said, the trail back to Mother Russia was deliberate.
And who stands to gain from everyone knowing Putin ordered the assassination of a former FSB agent in London? Putin himself. Talk about chilling free speech. Egad.
But what Putin didn't plan on was the backlash.
Despite the protests of her loyal readers - Econo-Girl maintains that this is going to be one hell of an international incident by the time it is over. Already the case has metasized to Germany.
Econo-Girl thinks that Putin over-reached in targeting a former KGB spy in a place like London. She further thinks that other European countries share the British anger because they are aware if a targeted kill can happen in Britain, it can happen in their country as well. And who wants to cede control of their borders to that extent? No one. Even if a country conceivably didn't care about Russia killing someone on their soil, they certainly can't be seen to be allowing it.
That is why Putin over-reached. Russia still needs Europe. Putin couldn't afford to piss them off like that.
So what did you think, Vladimir? The old glory days were back?
Iraq Study Group on Torture
The whole thing mentions torture once: when it describes the inadequacies of the Iraqi police.
http://www.c-span.org/pdf/iraq_study_group_report.pdf
There's a few assumptions in their logic.
What is not addressed is how the use of torture has helped our war effort in Iraq fail. Imagine that you are a luckless Iraqi picked up by US soldiers for questioning. You are beaten with a baseball bat (as has been offered on the record as having happened) by an angry US Army cook, then are let go after the determination that you don't know anything is made. So what do you do? You tell your family and friends. Then how likely are those same people to alert US soldiers to danger? Not very.
These interrogation tactics the US has embraced in an effort to feel tougher are backfiring. One day, historians will ascribe at least some of the failure in Iraq to abusive treatment of Iraqis. But not today.
http://www.c-span.org/pdf/iraq_study_group_report.pdf
There's a few assumptions in their logic.
- that torture is wrong,
- that it doesn't work,
- the fact that torture is taking place at all is a sign of an incompetent government.
What is not addressed is how the use of torture has helped our war effort in Iraq fail. Imagine that you are a luckless Iraqi picked up by US soldiers for questioning. You are beaten with a baseball bat (as has been offered on the record as having happened) by an angry US Army cook, then are let go after the determination that you don't know anything is made. So what do you do? You tell your family and friends. Then how likely are those same people to alert US soldiers to danger? Not very.
These interrogation tactics the US has embraced in an effort to feel tougher are backfiring. One day, historians will ascribe at least some of the failure in Iraq to abusive treatment of Iraqis. But not today.
12.06.2006
Revenge of the Mid-Level Munchkins!
There's one thing about mid-level Munchkins that needs to be remembered, Mr. Bolton. They are related to high level Munchkins. And some even become high level Munchkins themselves.
And when you are sitting at the levers of power, don't forget who turns the wheels manually. It's all those Munchkins. So it's a good idea not to piss them off. Know what I mean? I guess you do now.
Like most bullies, you are afraid of power. and at the same time, expect others to be as fearful as yourself. With a little self-justification thrown in, you become a terror.
May Econo-Girl suggest the book "How to Win Friends and Influence People"? It may be very helpful in your next career.
And when you are sitting at the levers of power, don't forget who turns the wheels manually. It's all those Munchkins. So it's a good idea not to piss them off. Know what I mean? I guess you do now.
Like most bullies, you are afraid of power. and at the same time, expect others to be as fearful as yourself. With a little self-justification thrown in, you become a terror.
May Econo-Girl suggest the book "How to Win Friends and Influence People"? It may be very helpful in your next career.
12.01.2006
The Middle East: The Balance of Power
Kissinger's approach to statecraft in terms of 'balance of power' has been under fire these days. With good reason. Let's look at all the civil wars we put our fingers in, only to make a hash of it. But 'balance of power' still needs to be in the analysis, as can be seen in the current ascendancy of Iran.
What was going on before our war in Iraq? There were two powerful countries fighting each other constantly, degrading their resources and strength trying to kill each other. Hence, a balance between them, since neither side truly dominated the other. There was also a check on the power of both in the form of the other country.
Enter the United States. "Hey, let's get rid of the Saddam Hussein guy and establish truth and beauty in Iraq! Imagine how grateful the Iraqis will be!" Aside from the merits of the grand political experiment, the U.S. upset the balance of power between the two nations and the whole region.
With no enemy next door to waste its resources and power on, Iran has been able to shore up, save, rest, and get stronger. Now they are being viewed as a stabilizing force. Their power is being felt all over the Middle East, and the U.S. has only itself to thank.
It has always been Econo-Girl's contention that all this 'hating your neighbor' thing in the Middle East is a distraction from widespread civil wars. Like in almost every country there. Witness the children who were assassinated yesterday in the Palestinian Territory. The Middle East is unstable because most of its countries are unstable.
So, what could distract Iran once again, causing them to spend resources tilting at another windmill? A Shiite-Sunni war. The disadvantage would be that the entire region would erupt. Such a conflict would not help anyone.
Now don't get hysterical. Econo-Girl does not think this is, ever was, or should be, a policy goal of the United States. No one was thinking of religious war going into Iraq. That's what you have to understand about Americans, we don't spend a lot of time thinking.
Also, an intra-religious war was the one thing al Qaida was trying to avoid, until they used tensions between Sunni and Shiite to destabilize Iraq. The short term goal of putting a finger in the eye of the U.S. has ruined the long-term goal of al Qaida of a pan-Islamic movement. Cooperation between Muslim sects has seriously degraded and the whole idea of a pan-Muslim political movement is over.
You know, like 'together we stand, divided we fall'?
What was going on before our war in Iraq? There were two powerful countries fighting each other constantly, degrading their resources and strength trying to kill each other. Hence, a balance between them, since neither side truly dominated the other. There was also a check on the power of both in the form of the other country.
Enter the United States. "Hey, let's get rid of the Saddam Hussein guy and establish truth and beauty in Iraq! Imagine how grateful the Iraqis will be!" Aside from the merits of the grand political experiment, the U.S. upset the balance of power between the two nations and the whole region.
With no enemy next door to waste its resources and power on, Iran has been able to shore up, save, rest, and get stronger. Now they are being viewed as a stabilizing force. Their power is being felt all over the Middle East, and the U.S. has only itself to thank.
It has always been Econo-Girl's contention that all this 'hating your neighbor' thing in the Middle East is a distraction from widespread civil wars. Like in almost every country there. Witness the children who were assassinated yesterday in the Palestinian Territory. The Middle East is unstable because most of its countries are unstable.
So, what could distract Iran once again, causing them to spend resources tilting at another windmill? A Shiite-Sunni war. The disadvantage would be that the entire region would erupt. Such a conflict would not help anyone.
Now don't get hysterical. Econo-Girl does not think this is, ever was, or should be, a policy goal of the United States. No one was thinking of religious war going into Iraq. That's what you have to understand about Americans, we don't spend a lot of time thinking.
Also, an intra-religious war was the one thing al Qaida was trying to avoid, until they used tensions between Sunni and Shiite to destabilize Iraq. The short term goal of putting a finger in the eye of the U.S. has ruined the long-term goal of al Qaida of a pan-Islamic movement. Cooperation between Muslim sects has seriously degraded and the whole idea of a pan-Muslim political movement is over.
You know, like 'together we stand, divided we fall'?
11.29.2006
Practice of Probate
An item on the dog front. First of all, it seems the cats have been peeing in the living room to get the dogs in trouble. Pesky cats, but you got to love them.
Econo-Girl has been graced with a vision lately. A vision where she uses her law degree in the field of probate law and guardianship for the elderly. It's time to unleash the inner advocate.
Some have said, "Why are you throwing away decades of computer experience and a guaranteed good income to start something new?"
But, without wanting to sound bitter or angry, Econo-Girl must admit to a bit of incapacitation since The Incident This Summer. Could she sit in a cubicle all day? Without really wanting to find out, the answer is probably "no."
Aside from that, should she dive into bureaucracy once more? Econo-Girl never fit in. She is an outside the box thinker if ever there was one. This is not the sort of thing that is welcomed, generally speaking.
Econo-Girl likens it to cutting off her big toe to fit into a glass slipper. Could she take such extreme measures? Sure. But it's not guaranteed to pay off. And that's just one toe too many for Econo-Girl.
Econo-Girl has been graced with a vision lately. A vision where she uses her law degree in the field of probate law and guardianship for the elderly. It's time to unleash the inner advocate.
Some have said, "Why are you throwing away decades of computer experience and a guaranteed good income to start something new?"
But, without wanting to sound bitter or angry, Econo-Girl must admit to a bit of incapacitation since The Incident This Summer. Could she sit in a cubicle all day? Without really wanting to find out, the answer is probably "no."
Aside from that, should she dive into bureaucracy once more? Econo-Girl never fit in. She is an outside the box thinker if ever there was one. This is not the sort of thing that is welcomed, generally speaking.
Econo-Girl likens it to cutting off her big toe to fit into a glass slipper. Could she take such extreme measures? Sure. But it's not guaranteed to pay off. And that's just one toe too many for Econo-Girl.
Dollar Going Down
Econo-Girl first started this blog as a response to CNN Money's horrible financial and economic coverage. Honestly, what passes for business reporting in the U.S. is just embarrassing.
No announcement is made without a positive candy-cane spin to it. For example, the news that the dollar is going down is couched with the "but that means exports will go up." Of course exports will go up. They won't go up enough to cover the amount we import, however. That would take sacrifice and discipline, and we all know how far that would go.
The real upswing about a lower dollar value is that it will kick up inflation here at home. Since we import a lot of stuff, and the exchange rate puts the dollar as buying less, less can be bought with the dollar. So the price to get a foreign good will go up.
There are some that gamely point out that now Americans will buy more domestically-made products. Sure. They will. But nowhere in the U.S. are clothes made as cheap as Asia, even with the lower dollar value making the prices rise.
So the practical upswing is: run to Walmart now to buy clothing, before the prices inevitably rise.
No announcement is made without a positive candy-cane spin to it. For example, the news that the dollar is going down is couched with the "but that means exports will go up." Of course exports will go up. They won't go up enough to cover the amount we import, however. That would take sacrifice and discipline, and we all know how far that would go.
The real upswing about a lower dollar value is that it will kick up inflation here at home. Since we import a lot of stuff, and the exchange rate puts the dollar as buying less, less can be bought with the dollar. So the price to get a foreign good will go up.
There are some that gamely point out that now Americans will buy more domestically-made products. Sure. They will. But nowhere in the U.S. are clothes made as cheap as Asia, even with the lower dollar value making the prices rise.
So the practical upswing is: run to Walmart now to buy clothing, before the prices inevitably rise.
Should I Avoid Eating Sushi With Russians?
All this poisoning of Russian whistleblowers is getting Econo-Girl down. She had vain hopes of traveling the world, eating sushi wherever she went. Perhaps another decade, not this one. And London isn't even safe for me. Quite disconcerting.
People have called the current regime fascists, not without reason. But Econo-Girl can say this: killing little CC was never on the table. For that, we can thank the strong institutions of democracy here in the U.S. and the American public.
Not the current Administration, mind you. Politicians have never been good at controlling themselves, and this group seems a particularly vengeful lot.
A Russian man told me that in his country, I would be swinging from the end of a rope. And he said it before the reporter's assassination. After The Incident This Summer, Econo-Girl was warned away from remote sections of South America. It seemed a bit extreme, but I'd already been to the Amazon, so there was no clash of plans.
Perhaps Econo-Girl should just avoid rude Russians.
In Russia, there doesn't seem to be any outrage about the assassinations at all. Completely curious. Putin's feet are being held to the fire by the British government, and you can imagine how angry they must be. Imagine the audacity of Russia to send people over to kill people on British soil. If Britain did the same to them, what would happen? Certainly the Brits would feel justified in killing on Russian soil now, if they hadn't already.
Econo-Girl predicts a major international incident in the next few months. Not based on any new information, just an explosion based on what's happened already.
People have called the current regime fascists, not without reason. But Econo-Girl can say this: killing little CC was never on the table. For that, we can thank the strong institutions of democracy here in the U.S. and the American public.
Not the current Administration, mind you. Politicians have never been good at controlling themselves, and this group seems a particularly vengeful lot.
A Russian man told me that in his country, I would be swinging from the end of a rope. And he said it before the reporter's assassination. After The Incident This Summer, Econo-Girl was warned away from remote sections of South America. It seemed a bit extreme, but I'd already been to the Amazon, so there was no clash of plans.
Perhaps Econo-Girl should just avoid rude Russians.
In Russia, there doesn't seem to be any outrage about the assassinations at all. Completely curious. Putin's feet are being held to the fire by the British government, and you can imagine how angry they must be. Imagine the audacity of Russia to send people over to kill people on British soil. If Britain did the same to them, what would happen? Certainly the Brits would feel justified in killing on Russian soil now, if they hadn't already.
Econo-Girl predicts a major international incident in the next few months. Not based on any new information, just an explosion based on what's happened already.
Did They Leave Yet?
Econo-Girl is sure that by now only the hard-core reader is still with her. Good.
The value of ostentatious antiques has not fallen, unlike housing prices, and Econo-Girl is making good because of it. In the hurly-burly days of Y2K profits, a huge, seven foot tall, antique armoire with all inlaid and hand carved wood came into Econo-Girl's possession. It is now being sold at almost twice my initial cost. The damn thing's HUGE. It totally dominates my living room. I just grew to a point where eliciting gasps of delight and envy from my female visitors was no longer as important as having more comfortable seating. Cozy wins.
Of course, such microeconomic wins leads Econo-Girl's gimlet eyes towards other antiques in her house, which might prove to provide an equally good return on investment.
If there's one thing that sells in the Washington, DC area, it's ostentatious. And pretention. I am printing digitized photos of old ancestors, putting them in nice frames, and selling those, too. Of course, people will buy them to pretend they had respectable ancestors, too. Isn't it all sad?
An inventory revealed six sets of china. SIX! My husband is ecstatic that I am getting rid of all this stuff. Of course, a girl needs at least three sets of china. There's the special holiday set, blue with gold stars. Then there's the everyday stoneware. Then there's the minor holiday set.
And as my father said when my Mother announced she was downsizing her wardrobe: "Don't be fooled. It's to make room to buy more clothes."
Ah, well. Hope springs eternal.
The value of ostentatious antiques has not fallen, unlike housing prices, and Econo-Girl is making good because of it. In the hurly-burly days of Y2K profits, a huge, seven foot tall, antique armoire with all inlaid and hand carved wood came into Econo-Girl's possession. It is now being sold at almost twice my initial cost. The damn thing's HUGE. It totally dominates my living room. I just grew to a point where eliciting gasps of delight and envy from my female visitors was no longer as important as having more comfortable seating. Cozy wins.
Of course, such microeconomic wins leads Econo-Girl's gimlet eyes towards other antiques in her house, which might prove to provide an equally good return on investment.
If there's one thing that sells in the Washington, DC area, it's ostentatious. And pretention. I am printing digitized photos of old ancestors, putting them in nice frames, and selling those, too. Of course, people will buy them to pretend they had respectable ancestors, too. Isn't it all sad?
An inventory revealed six sets of china. SIX! My husband is ecstatic that I am getting rid of all this stuff. Of course, a girl needs at least three sets of china. There's the special holiday set, blue with gold stars. Then there's the everyday stoneware. Then there's the minor holiday set.
And as my father said when my Mother announced she was downsizing her wardrobe: "Don't be fooled. It's to make room to buy more clothes."
Ah, well. Hope springs eternal.
11.20.2006
The Media Beast Must Be Fed
Yes, Econo-Girl is aware that OJ no longer has a book and movie deal. While that is some measure of relief, wouldn't it just be easier to NOT TALK ABOUT a book that you didn't want to promote?
Of course, then the talking heads would need to talk about something else. Econo-Girl is full aware that the media beast needs to be fed.
But along those lines, do we really have to know about Brittany Spears' divorce? Leave the poor girl alone. Yes, the media beast must be fed. Yes, Ms. Spears has done her share of hopping up and down to get her photo taken. But by inviting that kind of publicity, does it necessarily mean that she invites intrusion into every part of her life? Do they HAVE to pick apart this terrible time just because she once promoted an album?
Econo-Girl thinks the media should leave celebrities alone sometimes. Are people really as interested as all that in their personal tragedies?
Of course, then the talking heads would need to talk about something else. Econo-Girl is full aware that the media beast needs to be fed.
But along those lines, do we really have to know about Brittany Spears' divorce? Leave the poor girl alone. Yes, the media beast must be fed. Yes, Ms. Spears has done her share of hopping up and down to get her photo taken. But by inviting that kind of publicity, does it necessarily mean that she invites intrusion into every part of her life? Do they HAVE to pick apart this terrible time just because she once promoted an album?
Econo-Girl thinks the media should leave celebrities alone sometimes. Are people really as interested as all that in their personal tragedies?
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