1. Obama's highly-publicized consultations about whether or not to escalate the Afghan war seems a break from the past. For previous wars, the US foreign-policy elite made their decisions in secret -- or with minimal public attention -- and then mobilized the propaganda machine to push the electorate back the war. This change seems to be a result of the Vietnam syndrome (and the end of the deeply-rooted popular support for US wars after World War II) and the blatant failure of Bush's wars (including his war against the Vietnam syndrome). These meant that the US foreign policy elite needs much more support not only from allied countries but also from the citizenry of all countries involved (e.g., the UK). Having highly-publicized consultations is partly aimed at promoting this support and likely partly due to divisions in the elite (Biden vs. the rest). However, if this war goes forward we should expect an intensified propaganda effort. It'll be a grand war, folks!
2. If, as seems likely, Obama escalates the Afghan war in a big way, he is ending not only "progressive" illusions about his presidency (which seem to be fading already) but also his career in presidential politics. There's no way he can "win" this war, given diffuse goals, poor strategy, and high costs, both human and financial. He should change his first name to Lyndon. Maybe the GOPsters should back this war not only because it's instinctual for them but because it opens the way for a new new Nixon and the resurrection of their party. 3. I'm pretty sure that a U.S. National Public Radio newsreader referred this morning to the question of whether or not Hamid Karzai's government can be a good partner for the U.S. But shouldn't the question be about whether or not the US can live up to Karzai's standards? After all, isn't his government the closest thing to a legitimate ruler of the country? -- Jim Devine / "Segui il tuo corso, e lascia dir le genti." (Go your own way and let people talk.) -- Karl, paraphrasing Dante. _______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
