And so, HE IS DEAD. Killed not as a guerilla fighter, or by "natural causes," but in a mansion by US Navy SEALS Team Six. The jihadi dead-enders (of which, there are decreasing #'s- bin Laden had discredited himself in the Muslim world) may call him a "martyr," but this is the poshest martyrdom ever seen.
Is this "The End?" No, but so what? It is AN end. The Osama bin Laden era is over, and it will be missed by virtually no one (including-esp.?-the Muslim world) His demise is both a symbolic and tangible triumph. Oh yes, there will be those who will fill bin Laden's shoes, and so the assymetric battle goes on.
But as the Founder and "thinker" of Al Qaeda, his death IS meaningful. A man responsible for thousands of deaths all over the world has received what was due. Congrats and THANK YOU to the SEALS, our intel services, Pres. Obama and all those who made it happen.
Finally, THIS seems appropriate, perhaps for the final time.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Way late on this
But I wanted to second THIS POST on the Ryder Cup. I'm no golf nut, but international, match play team competition really works every two yrs. (The Presidents Cup sucks) And yes, NBC's theme music is spectacular.
And while the '10 version went against the US, it was dramatic.
And while the '10 version went against the US, it was dramatic.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Reflections on a day+
I'd save this for the day itself, but come Saturday, I'll be focused on other things. So, I do this now.
The title of Fareed Zakaria's piece in Newsweek is no doubt provocative. but it did get me to thinking about that day.
I left home to go to classes at Lakeland Community College, literally 3 minutes from home at, oh, 8:40 that morning. By the time my nurse and I arrived, the events of the day were well underway. Thing is, we didn't know about it.
I went up to the third floor, preparing for a 9:30 English course. Once you're on campus at a community college, you're fairly isolated from the rest of the world. Given the need to study, etc., this is normally a good thing. You can focus if you need to, or, better yet sometimes, just relax for a few minutes, not worried about anything else.
I'm not 100% sure how I spent those few moments before class was supposed to begin on that Tuesday, but I think it was a little bit of reading and talking with classmates. Given that it was still early on in the year, before the hopeless causes dropped the class, I liked to get in the classroom fairly early (9:20 or so) b/c I was limited in terms of seating due to my wheelchair*.
The next 10+ minutes were normal, though by the end, given that the prof. was usually early, I thought it seemed slightly off. When she entered the room, we all found out why.
"I assume you all heard about the planes crashing into the World Trade Center."
"Huh? No, what?"
We literally had no idea. Needless to say, she said, class was cancelled.
Upon leaving the room, two thoughts entered my head. One, a search for information. The place to go was the first-floor cafeteria, complete with a television set. Not surprisingly the area around the TV was packed, but folks were good enough to let me get close enough to see it. Seeing the replays of, I think, the first tower crumble were shocking, esp. since I didn't know it was a replay. Watching the same for the second tower was shocking and horrifying too.
From there, rumor took over. Had the White House been hit? No, but the Pentagon had been. But was a plane targeting it? Was it the plane that crashed in PA? Maybe, as it turned out, but we all had no factual idea. There were other planes out there too, right? It wasn't over yet, was it? As it turns out, there were no more planes and it was over, but at 10 am, the worst seemed possible, if not likely.
As I said, I'd had two thoughts upon leaving the classroom. The second thought was who was responsible? Bin Laden was becoming a big name in America, but, speciously, the first thought was Saddam Hussein, only because that was the highest-profile name out there. Given his actual secular leanings, this was a ridiculous thought. But it's what I thought at the time.
Why? Because, for a few hours, logic was almost put on the backburner. Fear and shock were the order of the day. Logic and reason would slowly come back, but not that day.
By 11:00, err, nature was calling. Lakeland had been good enough to set aside an old, but spacious storage area for me to use for such purpose (a padded table was also provided) on the second floor. While up there, next to the crosswalk bridge to, IIRC, the T Building, I tried calling loved ones, only to discover what others had or would: Sketchy, if any, cell phone service. That would, unnervingly, have to wait until later.
In truth, that wasn't going to be a problem, until rumors started spreading that, come 12-12:30, the campus was going to close. By 11:20, or so, this was confirmed. In hindsight, to close a local CC seems like an overreaction, but I don't think it was. Sure, the idea that Al Qaeda might attack community colleges on the same day they targeted NYC and DC was silly. But the larger point was that people needed to be together, with friends and family, not in a classroom. The national trauma was too great on that day for any other response.
Still, how was I getting home? Would our public transportation system (LAKETRAN) pick up those who used the service or had no other way home? How long would we actually be stuck there?
In the meantime, the quest for information went on. By now, a TV had been set up in a second floor conference room. I decided to go in there, while foolishly placing my lunch and other bags on my tray. As a result, my vision was obstructed, and I bumped my right in arm into a table, leaving a nice black-and-blue mark for days.
It's trivial, but I remember that so clearly and, in a way, likely always will. Nothing was mundane that day. Nothing.
About 15-20 of us kept watching CNN in that conference room. We watched Bush's initial statement from a Nebraska air base, to which an obviously committed liberal Democrat, though in my view, uninformed, spoke mockingly. I am, today, a proud liberal Democrat (though, I hope, informed), but I thought that mocking was inappropriate, a thought I kept to myself.
By 11:45, the national air space, it was confirmed, was shut down, a startling development. By 12:00, I'd made my way down to the Laketran pickup area. We waited outside for a few minutes (it was, ironically, a beautiful day outside) before Laketran did indeed pick us up.
Such as it was, the ride home was routine. Less routine was staying outside for a few minutes and hearing... very little. I live near a small, very local airport. So, hearing nothing in the skies was chilling and brought home what had transpired.
The rest was a fog, as everyone marvelled at the rescuers who risked (and many lost) their lives saving others and tried to figure it out what had happened. Like many, I felt almost compelled to watch television that week, even though no new info was discovered. It seemed like a solemn duty.
That Saturday, only one significant sporting event took place, the CART race at Lausitz, Germany. No one wanted to be there, but the flights to Europe had, mostly, occurred before the attacks, so they were stuck. The whole thing (untelevised) was a sober, almost surreal affair, culminating in awful fashion:
And so, the week ended in morbidly appropriate fashion (Alex survived, but lost his legs. He did not, thankfully, lose his spirit).
That Saturday had something of a "no-man's-land" feel to it. It was a Saturday in Fall, with no football to speak of. I knew there was a race in Europe (CART), but it also seemed like there couldn't be a race. ESPN had decided not to show it live, so it seemed totally distant. Then came the ESPNNEWS flash about the horrific Zanardi crash.
Was this real? Yes, it all was. Tuesday had been very real, and so was this day. And yet, in it's reality, it seemed a bit unreal. In a way, it still does.
*I note this just as a factual matter, NOT to indulge in self-pity. Making small adjustments like just seems smart to me and makes things easier for everyone, myself included.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This marks the first time I've ever written, in full, about how I, just an average American, experienced Sept. 11, 2001. For one thing, it all seemed so trivial to write about. I lost no one even remotely close to me that day, and my life went on as normal.
But, at another level, part of me just didn't want to write this because doing so means, in some way, living it all over again. Frankly, I have no desire to live it over and over again. This might sound like mental weakness, and maybe that is a small element, but it's not that I plan to forget about it. That likely won't happen for anyone.
But that's different, in my view, than when conservatives say "Never Forget!" Their tone and tenor has always suggested something darker to me: That we should relive that day (or, they might say, 9/12) anew everyday, at least in the political sense. In a sense, some would like us to feel as if those towers were coming down again everyday, thinking that if we don't, we'll no longer aggressively pursue Jihadists out of "complacency."
This is dangerous thinking to apply to an entire nation. For the victims' families, it is completely understandable. "Moving on" might be impossible for some.
But, for the nation as a whole, we must realize that, no matter how traumatic that day was, it was ONE attack nine years ago. To behave as if it were yesterday is asking for a nationwide mental breakdown.
Because, like it, or not, the world HAS changed. For most the issue of the day is economic insecurity, along with America's role in the world today. If we let one horrific day DEFINE our national character and policy, we are surely worse off for it.
Yes, let us remember the day, those who were killed by a few fanatics falsely claiming the mantle of Islam as justification. Let us learn a variety of lessons from that day as we continue to move forward.
But, and most importantly, let us never lose ourselves and what we stand for in the process. Partially out of deference to the "9/11 families," the Park51/Cordoba House project has been opposed by around 70% of Americans. Unfortunately, some of this opposition is also rooted in anti-Islamic bigotry. Protests against other mosques in TN, CA, and elsewhere verifies this.
Are we losing ourselves, our values? If so, I plead with everyone: 9/11 DID NOT happen yesterday. It was nine years ago. To scapegoat all Muslims is to break the civil contract that binds us together, that makes us American. It violates our reverence for Jefferson, Washington, Adams and all the Founders. In short, it would be to destroy ourselves.
I hope this is just an ugly moment, fueled mainly by economic anxiety. If it is not, then our future is dark indeed, precisely because we remain stuck on one tragic day.
The title of Fareed Zakaria's piece in Newsweek is no doubt provocative. but it did get me to thinking about that day.
I left home to go to classes at Lakeland Community College, literally 3 minutes from home at, oh, 8:40 that morning. By the time my nurse and I arrived, the events of the day were well underway. Thing is, we didn't know about it.
I went up to the third floor, preparing for a 9:30 English course. Once you're on campus at a community college, you're fairly isolated from the rest of the world. Given the need to study, etc., this is normally a good thing. You can focus if you need to, or, better yet sometimes, just relax for a few minutes, not worried about anything else.
I'm not 100% sure how I spent those few moments before class was supposed to begin on that Tuesday, but I think it was a little bit of reading and talking with classmates. Given that it was still early on in the year, before the hopeless causes dropped the class, I liked to get in the classroom fairly early (9:20 or so) b/c I was limited in terms of seating due to my wheelchair*.
The next 10+ minutes were normal, though by the end, given that the prof. was usually early, I thought it seemed slightly off. When she entered the room, we all found out why.
"I assume you all heard about the planes crashing into the World Trade Center."
"Huh? No, what?"
We literally had no idea. Needless to say, she said, class was cancelled.
Upon leaving the room, two thoughts entered my head. One, a search for information. The place to go was the first-floor cafeteria, complete with a television set. Not surprisingly the area around the TV was packed, but folks were good enough to let me get close enough to see it. Seeing the replays of, I think, the first tower crumble were shocking, esp. since I didn't know it was a replay. Watching the same for the second tower was shocking and horrifying too.
From there, rumor took over. Had the White House been hit? No, but the Pentagon had been. But was a plane targeting it? Was it the plane that crashed in PA? Maybe, as it turned out, but we all had no factual idea. There were other planes out there too, right? It wasn't over yet, was it? As it turns out, there were no more planes and it was over, but at 10 am, the worst seemed possible, if not likely.
As I said, I'd had two thoughts upon leaving the classroom. The second thought was who was responsible? Bin Laden was becoming a big name in America, but, speciously, the first thought was Saddam Hussein, only because that was the highest-profile name out there. Given his actual secular leanings, this was a ridiculous thought. But it's what I thought at the time.
Why? Because, for a few hours, logic was almost put on the backburner. Fear and shock were the order of the day. Logic and reason would slowly come back, but not that day.
By 11:00, err, nature was calling. Lakeland had been good enough to set aside an old, but spacious storage area for me to use for such purpose (a padded table was also provided) on the second floor. While up there, next to the crosswalk bridge to, IIRC, the T Building, I tried calling loved ones, only to discover what others had or would: Sketchy, if any, cell phone service. That would, unnervingly, have to wait until later.
In truth, that wasn't going to be a problem, until rumors started spreading that, come 12-12:30, the campus was going to close. By 11:20, or so, this was confirmed. In hindsight, to close a local CC seems like an overreaction, but I don't think it was. Sure, the idea that Al Qaeda might attack community colleges on the same day they targeted NYC and DC was silly. But the larger point was that people needed to be together, with friends and family, not in a classroom. The national trauma was too great on that day for any other response.
Still, how was I getting home? Would our public transportation system (LAKETRAN) pick up those who used the service or had no other way home? How long would we actually be stuck there?
In the meantime, the quest for information went on. By now, a TV had been set up in a second floor conference room. I decided to go in there, while foolishly placing my lunch and other bags on my tray. As a result, my vision was obstructed, and I bumped my right in arm into a table, leaving a nice black-and-blue mark for days.
It's trivial, but I remember that so clearly and, in a way, likely always will. Nothing was mundane that day. Nothing.
About 15-20 of us kept watching CNN in that conference room. We watched Bush's initial statement from a Nebraska air base, to which an obviously committed liberal Democrat, though in my view, uninformed, spoke mockingly. I am, today, a proud liberal Democrat (though, I hope, informed), but I thought that mocking was inappropriate, a thought I kept to myself.
By 11:45, the national air space, it was confirmed, was shut down, a startling development. By 12:00, I'd made my way down to the Laketran pickup area. We waited outside for a few minutes (it was, ironically, a beautiful day outside) before Laketran did indeed pick us up.
Such as it was, the ride home was routine. Less routine was staying outside for a few minutes and hearing... very little. I live near a small, very local airport. So, hearing nothing in the skies was chilling and brought home what had transpired.
The rest was a fog, as everyone marvelled at the rescuers who risked (and many lost) their lives saving others and tried to figure it out what had happened. Like many, I felt almost compelled to watch television that week, even though no new info was discovered. It seemed like a solemn duty.
That Saturday, only one significant sporting event took place, the CART race at Lausitz, Germany. No one wanted to be there, but the flights to Europe had, mostly, occurred before the attacks, so they were stuck. The whole thing (untelevised) was a sober, almost surreal affair, culminating in awful fashion:
And so, the week ended in morbidly appropriate fashion (Alex survived, but lost his legs. He did not, thankfully, lose his spirit).
That Saturday had something of a "no-man's-land" feel to it. It was a Saturday in Fall, with no football to speak of. I knew there was a race in Europe (CART), but it also seemed like there couldn't be a race. ESPN had decided not to show it live, so it seemed totally distant. Then came the ESPNNEWS flash about the horrific Zanardi crash.
Was this real? Yes, it all was. Tuesday had been very real, and so was this day. And yet, in it's reality, it seemed a bit unreal. In a way, it still does.
*I note this just as a factual matter, NOT to indulge in self-pity. Making small adjustments like just seems smart to me and makes things easier for everyone, myself included.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This marks the first time I've ever written, in full, about how I, just an average American, experienced Sept. 11, 2001. For one thing, it all seemed so trivial to write about. I lost no one even remotely close to me that day, and my life went on as normal.
But, at another level, part of me just didn't want to write this because doing so means, in some way, living it all over again. Frankly, I have no desire to live it over and over again. This might sound like mental weakness, and maybe that is a small element, but it's not that I plan to forget about it. That likely won't happen for anyone.
But that's different, in my view, than when conservatives say "Never Forget!" Their tone and tenor has always suggested something darker to me: That we should relive that day (or, they might say, 9/12) anew everyday, at least in the political sense. In a sense, some would like us to feel as if those towers were coming down again everyday, thinking that if we don't, we'll no longer aggressively pursue Jihadists out of "complacency."
This is dangerous thinking to apply to an entire nation. For the victims' families, it is completely understandable. "Moving on" might be impossible for some.
But, for the nation as a whole, we must realize that, no matter how traumatic that day was, it was ONE attack nine years ago. To behave as if it were yesterday is asking for a nationwide mental breakdown.
Because, like it, or not, the world HAS changed. For most the issue of the day is economic insecurity, along with America's role in the world today. If we let one horrific day DEFINE our national character and policy, we are surely worse off for it.
Yes, let us remember the day, those who were killed by a few fanatics falsely claiming the mantle of Islam as justification. Let us learn a variety of lessons from that day as we continue to move forward.
But, and most importantly, let us never lose ourselves and what we stand for in the process. Partially out of deference to the "9/11 families," the Park51/Cordoba House project has been opposed by around 70% of Americans. Unfortunately, some of this opposition is also rooted in anti-Islamic bigotry. Protests against other mosques in TN, CA, and elsewhere verifies this.
Are we losing ourselves, our values? If so, I plead with everyone: 9/11 DID NOT happen yesterday. It was nine years ago. To scapegoat all Muslims is to break the civil contract that binds us together, that makes us American. It violates our reverence for Jefferson, Washington, Adams and all the Founders. In short, it would be to destroy ourselves.
I hope this is just an ugly moment, fueled mainly by economic anxiety. If it is not, then our future is dark indeed, precisely because we remain stuck on one tragic day.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Been awhile, huh?
Why, yes, yes it has. So what prompts this respite from blogosphere hibernation? Lebron, of course. So, my thoughts...
As a Clevelander, the 24-36 hr. period, from waking up Thurs. to the Miami reports thru Fri. and the aftermath was hell. Understand the tortured history of Cleveland sports. The Drive, The Fumble, The Shot, Jose Mesa '97, Colavito, etc.
Oh, those hurt, believe me, and created the fatalism that exists about our teams today. But they can be chalked up to the "sporting gods" and miserable luck. In the end, we haven't had the right combination of luck and skill since 1964 to pull it off. But we're used to that.
Art Modell ripping the Browns was a cruel act that ripped our hearts out. That was a decision to LEAVE the town, a great football town. It will never, ever be forgiven.
Odd as it seems, the way James handled this was even worse than Modell. At least the old man wasn't a native of NE Ohio, couldn't fully appreciate our psyche. James was acutely aware of everything, of our tortured sports history AND of our utterly unfair reputation of being a second-rate horribly boring city.
Leaving is one thing. Not fun, but not unreasonable. But starting with the way the Celtics series ended (Yes, he ABSOLUTELY quit), it went downhill. Clearly, this move was the plan for awhile, and it's likely why he gave up against the C's; why did he care anymore? Fine, but stringing us (and others) along like we had a legit chance to keep him, just to create an ESPN-inspired media hysteria around him was unfair.
Then the 1-hr. show. Would he really be heartless enough to embarass his home area so brutally, so publicly? Many national pundits thought not, as did many locals. He would know better than that, right? Wouldn't kill us so publicly, right?
If we're being totally honest, Thurs. morning's reports should have resigned us to the inevitable: Yes, he IS that gutless. But deep down, we still couldn't imagine he'd do us like that.
The special itself was the moment American culture "Jumped the shark," an hour+ farce with a host paid directly by LRMR asking idiotic questions, before, after 27 mins., the nuke was dropped. Mind you, he first noted that he was going to "South Beach," not the Heat, as if to say, "Thank God I'm leaving for somewhere 'fun.'" There was no real emotion towards home; it was all a (failed) exercise in national/global branding, with ESPN as his lapdogs. And we in Cleveland were the poor sap victims, anguishing for all the country to see.
For LeBron, maybe history will see him as an all-timer. His crew likely figures that winning, oh, 4-5 titles in a row, will speak for itself. That being part of the most heralded team ever, even if it will never be "his team" will be so great that he will still be an ESPN-hyped/pimped "icon" when it's all said and done. And maybe they're right; American culture is touchy and can turn back on a dime.
Still, he can never be Jordan, Bird, Magic or even Kobe. Did those guys WANT to join their friend superstars? H=ll no, they want(ed) to beat them. Every single time. James admitted he's not good enough to get it done when the chips are down. He wants to HELP "The Man," not be "The Man." I think this will start a trend: Friends arranging to play with each other, not competing against each other. I think this is a bad trend.
Cleveland WILL survive. Our city is far more vibrant and interesting than even we give it credit for. Great restaurant scene, emerging areas like Tremont, world-class museums, etc. Doesn't feel like it now, but we'll be fine.
Our sports will also survive, but honestly, they won't be fine for awhile. The Indians are a joke, the Browns are on "Rebuild v. 50.0", and the Cavs have been crippled; crippled by a guy who couldn't just be honest with us or his team, who couldn't speak with his now pissed-off owner before the show; a guy who said, last night in Miami, that winning 7 titles will be "easy" b/c they're so good. B/c winning should always be easy. But fans are used to this now, unfortunately, creating a fatalism that is profound and not as charming as what Red Sox fans once had.
Two articles: Ironically, Mike Florio. And a local POV.
As a Clevelander, the 24-36 hr. period, from waking up Thurs. to the Miami reports thru Fri. and the aftermath was hell. Understand the tortured history of Cleveland sports. The Drive, The Fumble, The Shot, Jose Mesa '97, Colavito, etc.
Oh, those hurt, believe me, and created the fatalism that exists about our teams today. But they can be chalked up to the "sporting gods" and miserable luck. In the end, we haven't had the right combination of luck and skill since 1964 to pull it off. But we're used to that.
Art Modell ripping the Browns was a cruel act that ripped our hearts out. That was a decision to LEAVE the town, a great football town. It will never, ever be forgiven.
Odd as it seems, the way James handled this was even worse than Modell. At least the old man wasn't a native of NE Ohio, couldn't fully appreciate our psyche. James was acutely aware of everything, of our tortured sports history AND of our utterly unfair reputation of being a second-rate horribly boring city.
Leaving is one thing. Not fun, but not unreasonable. But starting with the way the Celtics series ended (Yes, he ABSOLUTELY quit), it went downhill. Clearly, this move was the plan for awhile, and it's likely why he gave up against the C's; why did he care anymore? Fine, but stringing us (and others) along like we had a legit chance to keep him, just to create an ESPN-inspired media hysteria around him was unfair.
Then the 1-hr. show. Would he really be heartless enough to embarass his home area so brutally, so publicly? Many national pundits thought not, as did many locals. He would know better than that, right? Wouldn't kill us so publicly, right?
If we're being totally honest, Thurs. morning's reports should have resigned us to the inevitable: Yes, he IS that gutless. But deep down, we still couldn't imagine he'd do us like that.
The special itself was the moment American culture "Jumped the shark," an hour+ farce with a host paid directly by LRMR asking idiotic questions, before, after 27 mins., the nuke was dropped. Mind you, he first noted that he was going to "South Beach," not the Heat, as if to say, "Thank God I'm leaving for somewhere 'fun.'" There was no real emotion towards home; it was all a (failed) exercise in national/global branding, with ESPN as his lapdogs. And we in Cleveland were the poor sap victims, anguishing for all the country to see.
For LeBron, maybe history will see him as an all-timer. His crew likely figures that winning, oh, 4-5 titles in a row, will speak for itself. That being part of the most heralded team ever, even if it will never be "his team" will be so great that he will still be an ESPN-hyped/pimped "icon" when it's all said and done. And maybe they're right; American culture is touchy and can turn back on a dime.
Still, he can never be Jordan, Bird, Magic or even Kobe. Did those guys WANT to join their friend superstars? H=ll no, they want(ed) to beat them. Every single time. James admitted he's not good enough to get it done when the chips are down. He wants to HELP "The Man," not be "The Man." I think this will start a trend: Friends arranging to play with each other, not competing against each other. I think this is a bad trend.
Cleveland WILL survive. Our city is far more vibrant and interesting than even we give it credit for. Great restaurant scene, emerging areas like Tremont, world-class museums, etc. Doesn't feel like it now, but we'll be fine.
Our sports will also survive, but honestly, they won't be fine for awhile. The Indians are a joke, the Browns are on "Rebuild v. 50.0", and the Cavs have been crippled; crippled by a guy who couldn't just be honest with us or his team, who couldn't speak with his now pissed-off owner before the show; a guy who said, last night in Miami, that winning 7 titles will be "easy" b/c they're so good. B/c winning should always be easy. But fans are used to this now, unfortunately, creating a fatalism that is profound and not as charming as what Red Sox fans once had.
Two articles: Ironically, Mike Florio. And a local POV.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
The Great IndyCar Implosion of 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
So Sad, So Inspiring
Translation of the woman's thoughts (via):
Tomorrow is Saturday. Tomorrow is a day of destiny.
Tonight, the cries of Allah-o Akbar are heard louder and louder than the nights before.
Where is this place? Where is this place where every door is closed? Where is this place where people are simply calling God? Where is this place where the sound of Allah-o Akbar gets louder and louder?
I wait every night to see if the sounds will get louder and whether the number increases. It shakes me. I wonder if God is shaken.
Where is this place that where so many innocent people are entrapped? Where is this place where no one comes to our aid? Where is this place that only with our silence we are sending our voices to the world? Where is this place that the young shed blood and then people go and pray -- standing on that same blood and pray. Where is this place where the citizens are called vagrants?
Where is this place? You want me to tell you? This place is Iran. The homeland of you and me.
This place is Iran.
Dawn approaches. The world watches, and prays.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Showdown coming
Watching NBC News tonight, that's the distinct impression one gets. Tomorrow, Mousavi has called for demonstrations and a national day of mourning for those who have already been martyred (yes, martyred). There should be a ton of people on the streets.
Then, Friday prayers, given by Khamenei himself, with more huge opposition protests planned (bigger than tomorrow even). And so, that might be the day of destiny.
But maybe not. Maybe a compromise will be reached, though the longer this goes, the more unlikely it becomes. Or, perhaps, in a tale out of Shakespeare, Rafsanjani ousts Khamenei in Qom.
Whatever happens, I have two thoughts: One, this is NOT about us (in the West); it is about Iranians and their future. But that doesn't mean that we as citizens cannot morally sympathize w/ our Iranian brothers and sisters who are rallying (and dying) for those most basic and universal principles of free votes, dissent, and freedom to make one's own destiny in life. These are human principles, that do not differentiate between geography or religion.
Second, as Djerejian is the latest to note, the Islamic Republic, whatever happens, will never be the same.
Then, Friday prayers, given by Khamenei himself, with more huge opposition protests planned (bigger than tomorrow even). And so, that might be the day of destiny.
But maybe not. Maybe a compromise will be reached, though the longer this goes, the more unlikely it becomes. Or, perhaps, in a tale out of Shakespeare, Rafsanjani ousts Khamenei in Qom.
Whatever happens, I have two thoughts: One, this is NOT about us (in the West); it is about Iranians and their future. But that doesn't mean that we as citizens cannot morally sympathize w/ our Iranian brothers and sisters who are rallying (and dying) for those most basic and universal principles of free votes, dissent, and freedom to make one's own destiny in life. These are human principles, that do not differentiate between geography or religion.
Second, as Djerejian is the latest to note, the Islamic Republic, whatever happens, will never be the same.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Solidarity
Until this is over in Iran, this tiny blog will go green. We are with you. Stay safe, stay strong.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Choices, choices
In brutal fashion, the mullahs have made their choice. As Juan Cole notes, it is laughable that Ahmadinejad "won" in the fashion the mullahs claim. Seriously fellas, you expect us to buy that Ahmad won Tehran by any margin, let alone 50%? Really?
The violence by the IRGC and the Basij militias is very real. More troubling? Reports like THIS and THIS. Put this together with speculation from Trita Parsi at the end of Laura Rozen's report, and we may be seeing a full-on crack-up of the regime of epic proportions, in which hard-liners are determined to destroy ALL opposition, brutality included (though the demonstrations are also inspiring).
We've not heard the last of this. Either we will end up w/ at least a partially liberated Iran governed by moderates or a fully oppressed, subjugated populace governed by hard-line Khomenist Islamists.
The populace faces an impossible choice: Revolt and (possibly) die, or acquiesce to disaster. Unfortunately, the same choice might already have been taken from Mousavi and Rafsanjani.
The violence by the IRGC and the Basij militias is very real. More troubling? Reports like THIS and THIS. Put this together with speculation from Trita Parsi at the end of Laura Rozen's report, and we may be seeing a full-on crack-up of the regime of epic proportions, in which hard-liners are determined to destroy ALL opposition, brutality included (though the demonstrations are also inspiring).
We've not heard the last of this. Either we will end up w/ at least a partially liberated Iran governed by moderates or a fully oppressed, subjugated populace governed by hard-line Khomenist Islamists.
The populace faces an impossible choice: Revolt and (possibly) die, or acquiesce to disaster. Unfortunately, the same choice might already have been taken from Mousavi and Rafsanjani.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Stirrings in Persia?
Iranian politics in the Islamic Republic aren't supposed to be interesting. Presidential candidates are vetted by the clerical Guardians Council, a rather hard-line body (some call it a "Clerical Senate"). All candidates are supposed to support the Islamic state, and the ultimate authority of the Supreme Leader. Theo-democracies are not terribly dramatic.
Except when they are. At worst, we're seeing a rather nasty internal debate in the regime, between Rafsanjani, now with reformist alliances, and Khamenei. Fortunately, for the rest of us, those spats have become very public, leading to massive rallies and a surprising, if temporary openness. The youth have rallied to Mousavi, whose wife has become a surprising asset, and the energy is in his camp.
Which might not matter, if hard-liners rig the vote. The Revolutionary Guards are warning against any "Velvet Revolutions," a clear shot at Mousavi, Karroubi, and their supporters. This strikes me as a most unwise path for the mullahs.
Fellas, let's play this out. You've seen the same rallies we have and have no doubt watched in horror the public debates. Now, you want to put it to rest and quash. Problem is y'all let it happen. Putting that genie back in the bottle now? Yeah, good luck with that.
After all, guys, revolutions can start over much less. And unlike Chinese authorities in 1989, I'm wondering if you have the ability to quash a movement, should it start, divided as you are. Think about it fellas. Sure, the nature of your theocratic regime may need to be tweaked slightly in response to a Mousavi win, but from your perspective, it's better than blowing the whole thing up, right?
Oh yeah, the world would appreciate it too.
Except when they are. At worst, we're seeing a rather nasty internal debate in the regime, between Rafsanjani, now with reformist alliances, and Khamenei. Fortunately, for the rest of us, those spats have become very public, leading to massive rallies and a surprising, if temporary openness. The youth have rallied to Mousavi, whose wife has become a surprising asset, and the energy is in his camp.
Which might not matter, if hard-liners rig the vote. The Revolutionary Guards are warning against any "Velvet Revolutions," a clear shot at Mousavi, Karroubi, and their supporters. This strikes me as a most unwise path for the mullahs.
Fellas, let's play this out. You've seen the same rallies we have and have no doubt watched in horror the public debates. Now, you want to put it to rest and quash. Problem is y'all let it happen. Putting that genie back in the bottle now? Yeah, good luck with that.
After all, guys, revolutions can start over much less. And unlike Chinese authorities in 1989, I'm wondering if you have the ability to quash a movement, should it start, divided as you are. Think about it fellas. Sure, the nature of your theocratic regime may need to be tweaked slightly in response to a Mousavi win, but from your perspective, it's better than blowing the whole thing up, right?
Oh yeah, the world would appreciate it too.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
About Those "Actions"
See, ultimately, Cairo's effect depends on future actions by all sides. On our side, THIS decision is almost impossible to defend. Maybe the propaganda angle works, but I don't buy it.
In the global realm, small thing. But it just makes you wonder about future choices.
In the global realm, small thing. But it just makes you wonder about future choices.
Cairo
Yes, yes, it's well past Sunday. Sue me.
But while I don't think it can be really attributed to Obama, March 14's victory in Lebanon allows us (me) to refocus on the speech.
It must be said that the full impact of Cairo a) won't be understood for years and b) is utterly dependent on events and actions. Great thoughts with no action mean nothing.
Still, I think this has the potential to be remembered as the start of a transformational moment. Why? It's not b/c of the State Of The Union-like list as the President laid out, though that matters. In fact, some of that dragged on a bit.
Instead, 3 things stick out. His thoughts on Israel-Palestine were great. There was an absolute defense of the State of Israel, with an acknowledgment of Palestinian grievances. 2nd, the line:
Indeed, it is. Throughout the Middle East, it is time to act in a positive way, looking forward, not back. A call for all, governments and citizens alike, to act. Good.
Finally, that idealistic ending, with an explicit call to the youth. If 20 yrs. from now, the Middle East has changed for the better, people will rightly point to this. In my mind, it was a Kennedy-esque call to my generation worldwide. I'm reminded once again that, in many ways, it will be up to us to change the world. Whether we live in Washington, Tehran, Jerusalem, or Cairo, it is now up to us. The time to act is now.
Full text.
But while I don't think it can be really attributed to Obama, March 14's victory in Lebanon allows us (me) to refocus on the speech.
It must be said that the full impact of Cairo a) won't be understood for years and b) is utterly dependent on events and actions. Great thoughts with no action mean nothing.
Still, I think this has the potential to be remembered as the start of a transformational moment. Why? It's not b/c of the State Of The Union-like list as the President laid out, though that matters. In fact, some of that dragged on a bit.
Instead, 3 things stick out. His thoughts on Israel-Palestine were great. There was an absolute defense of the State of Israel, with an acknowledgment of Palestinian grievances. 2nd, the line:
It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true.
Indeed, it is. Throughout the Middle East, it is time to act in a positive way, looking forward, not back. A call for all, governments and citizens alike, to act. Good.
Finally, that idealistic ending, with an explicit call to the youth. If 20 yrs. from now, the Middle East has changed for the better, people will rightly point to this. In my mind, it was a Kennedy-esque call to my generation worldwide. I'm reminded once again that, in many ways, it will be up to us to change the world. Whether we live in Washington, Tehran, Jerusalem, or Cairo, it is now up to us. The time to act is now.
Full text.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Perspectives on Cairo
Ebullient Sully.
Pleased Clive Crook
Cautiously Optimistic Djerejian
But what if... Hezbollah wins? (Sorta)
Or should we calm the hell down?
My view? Wait till Sunday.
Pleased Clive Crook
Cautiously Optimistic Djerejian
But what if... Hezbollah wins? (Sorta)
Or should we calm the hell down?
My view? Wait till Sunday.
In Which I Argue With (and agree with) Myself
Gordon Kirby's piece this week, centered on N/H/L racing, is a must-read. Most interesting is the discussion on the future nature of IndyCar racing.
Almost everyone wants to abandon the pure spec-nature we have today. Indy 2009 showed why that doesn't work. But Brian Lisles takes it a step further:
Undoubtedly true. Given that I was more sympathetic to the CART side during the split, I ought to be in full agreement. In a sense, I am. The current cars, IMHO, produce artificially close superspeedway racing and they look... less than ideal. But...
But relying on "history" here is a tricky proposition. His characterization of what Indy was is accurate, but two things stick out for me. One, it was a different time in many ways. Indianapolis had dominated the American racing scene (outside of the Southeast) since, well, the 1910's. Through the early 90's, it was, in some ways, coasting on it's history. It could do that as long as there were big name drivers all over the field. The thinning out of these drivers started in the early 90's (buh-bye Mears, Unser Sr., Mario, AJ, etc), but the big factor was the split. Today, even with Marco, Graham Rahal and Danica, Americans no longer identify with the sport. During the split wilderness, NASCAR filled the void, and the drivers of today are there (at least in terms of cultural resonance).
Which brings me to point two. The rise of NASCAR also shifted perceptions in this country as to what motorsports IS. Lisles is spot on when he notes that racing was once all about the ultimate pursuit of record speeds. That's why, in many ways, Pole Day at Indianapolis was considered by many the 2nd biggest day in motorsports (the 500 being #1).
As NASCAR rose in importance and popularity, speed and technology necessarily had to diminish in importance. Cup cars are NOT slow, but compared to the days of records at Indianapolis, speed will never be the top selling point. In terms of technology, really now, come on. If the COT is the result of all NASCAR has learned, then yes, their use of technology is impressive... for 1969.
This is not to bash NASCAR. By nature, the speeds will be slower than an IndyCar, but they're two different machines with, somewhat, different goals. As for tech, NASCAR has always felt comfortable philosophically with their technology.
No, the point is this: Is mainstream American racing (hell, racing anywhere) really about the ultimate pursuit of speed, technology, AND victory, or has NASCAR reduced or otherwise cut out the 1st two factors? I'm tempted to argue it's the latter, with driver personalities taking on more import along with close racing.
I both want, in many ways, the racing Lisles wants, yet I don't. The current spec low(er)-tech machines must go. They look lousy and, at times race that way too.
Butttt... do we want to return to the era of one car, potentially, dominating, while running speeds? I wonder if our racing culture will tolerate it. Would I tolerate it?
On the other hand, I do NOT want to simply become an OW NASCAR. Speed & technology MUST play a role.
But getting right will be tough. Unfortunately (though maybe not?), the future of the sport rests on them getting it right.
Almost everyone wants to abandon the pure spec-nature we have today. Indy 2009 showed why that doesn't work. But Brian Lisles takes it a step further:
"Today, we know how to go fast and how to be reliable and a lot of people feel racing should be about efficient use of energy. Quite how you make that into something that's appealing to the public is a difficult question. The perception is that the public will only get interested in an event where there's wheel-to-wheel, man-on-man combat, which if you look back historically is not how motor racing has ever been.
"Certainly Indianapolis used to be filled with some of the world's most boring races but the fans still came. Part of the excitement was not the man-to-man, wheel-to-wheel racing but the fact that somebody was leading in this powerful or different car that might not make it to the end. Some of the excitement was, is it going to hang together and make it to the end? But today I think everybody's got locked into the thought that you have to have wheel-to-wheel racing."
Undoubtedly true. Given that I was more sympathetic to the CART side during the split, I ought to be in full agreement. In a sense, I am. The current cars, IMHO, produce artificially close superspeedway racing and they look... less than ideal. But...
But relying on "history" here is a tricky proposition. His characterization of what Indy was is accurate, but two things stick out for me. One, it was a different time in many ways. Indianapolis had dominated the American racing scene (outside of the Southeast) since, well, the 1910's. Through the early 90's, it was, in some ways, coasting on it's history. It could do that as long as there were big name drivers all over the field. The thinning out of these drivers started in the early 90's (buh-bye Mears, Unser Sr., Mario, AJ, etc), but the big factor was the split. Today, even with Marco, Graham Rahal and Danica, Americans no longer identify with the sport. During the split wilderness, NASCAR filled the void, and the drivers of today are there (at least in terms of cultural resonance).
Which brings me to point two. The rise of NASCAR also shifted perceptions in this country as to what motorsports IS. Lisles is spot on when he notes that racing was once all about the ultimate pursuit of record speeds. That's why, in many ways, Pole Day at Indianapolis was considered by many the 2nd biggest day in motorsports (the 500 being #1).
As NASCAR rose in importance and popularity, speed and technology necessarily had to diminish in importance. Cup cars are NOT slow, but compared to the days of records at Indianapolis, speed will never be the top selling point. In terms of technology, really now, come on. If the COT is the result of all NASCAR has learned, then yes, their use of technology is impressive... for 1969.
This is not to bash NASCAR. By nature, the speeds will be slower than an IndyCar, but they're two different machines with, somewhat, different goals. As for tech, NASCAR has always felt comfortable philosophically with their technology.
No, the point is this: Is mainstream American racing (hell, racing anywhere) really about the ultimate pursuit of speed, technology, AND victory, or has NASCAR reduced or otherwise cut out the 1st two factors? I'm tempted to argue it's the latter, with driver personalities taking on more import along with close racing.
I both want, in many ways, the racing Lisles wants, yet I don't. The current spec low(er)-tech machines must go. They look lousy and, at times race that way too.
Butttt... do we want to return to the era of one car, potentially, dominating, while running speeds? I wonder if our racing culture will tolerate it. Would I tolerate it?
On the other hand, I do NOT want to simply become an OW NASCAR. Speed & technology MUST play a role.
But getting right will be tough. Unfortunately (though maybe not?), the future of the sport rests on them getting it right.
Monday, June 1, 2009
I Love Me Some Irony
Especially when it's as delicious as this: Car owners publicly backing Tony George.
But it's the right angle. IF this drama results in IMS cutting the $$ to the IRL, then the series, in this environment, is in trouble. It's also madness. IMS gains control over the sport (what it had wanted), only to throw it all away now? Huh?
But it's the right angle. IF this drama results in IMS cutting the $$ to the IRL, then the series, in this environment, is in trouble. It's also madness. IMS gains control over the sport (what it had wanted), only to throw it all away now? Huh?
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Indy Wrap IV: Final Wrap and Remainders
Yes, this is late, given that Milwaukee is well underway (Briscoe, Rahal front row). Better late than never.
First, I endorse most of what Miller wrote before TG-Gate, esp. on the foolishness that is Brian Barnhart. Things will never greatly improve with him in charge. That said, I don't think the race was QUITE as awful as he thought.
Vitor Meira's horrific wreck leads to teh best pairing ever.
Tomas Scheckter lives for one more race.
Ultimately, the 500 and it's soap opera aftermath was disappointing. The ratings were HORRIBLE. The race itself was no "game-changer." And now, the fate of the sport is uncertain, according to RM's response.
To some extent, this moment was inevitable. Unification was merely the 1st step. But now, we arrive (or we will) at the "sink or swim" moment. There will be an Indy 500. Will there be an IndyCar? That is what the next few years will settle.
The field at Milwaukee (post-Stanton Barrett wreck) is not encouraging.
First, I endorse most of what Miller wrote before TG-Gate, esp. on the foolishness that is Brian Barnhart. Things will never greatly improve with him in charge. That said, I don't think the race was QUITE as awful as he thought.
Vitor Meira's horrific wreck leads to teh best pairing ever.
Tomas Scheckter lives for one more race.
Ultimately, the 500 and it's soap opera aftermath was disappointing. The ratings were HORRIBLE. The race itself was no "game-changer." And now, the fate of the sport is uncertain, according to RM's response.
To some extent, this moment was inevitable. Unification was merely the 1st step. But now, we arrive (or we will) at the "sink or swim" moment. There will be an Indy 500. Will there be an IndyCar? That is what the next few years will settle.
The field at Milwaukee (post-Stanton Barrett wreck) is not encouraging.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
So, WTF REALLY Happened Today?
I think THIS AP piece sums it up. Read here, listen here (2nd link) for RM's response.
In short, I THINK, given the careful IMS wording, that Robin Miller got a lot right. Big changes are coming, butttttt he jumped the gun a little.
In short, I THINK, given the careful IMS wording, that Robin Miller got a lot right. Big changes are coming, butttttt he jumped the gun a little.
Developing...
We interrupt the 2009 Indy 500 wrap for a bombshell: Tony George OUT at IMS! Wow. It's hard to know what to say. Yes, Miller says George will still run the IRL, given the symbiotic relationship between the IRL and IMS, I wonder how much power he'll truly have.
Personally, I wish he'd NEVER ran the place to begin with, but just in terms of IMS, he modernized the place greatly. In the process, he dealt a serious blow to the sport by forming the IRL. My only concern is that all aspects of IMS will return to utter provincialism. That would kill the sport for good.
UPDATE: Or not???????
UPDATE2- 3:15: From IMS:
Personally, I wish he'd NEVER ran the place to begin with, but just in terms of IMS, he modernized the place greatly. In the process, he dealt a serious blow to the sport by forming the IRL. My only concern is that all aspects of IMS will return to utter provincialism. That would kill the sport for good.
UPDATE: Or not???????
UPDATE2- 3:15: From IMS:
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY STATEMENT
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
At a regular meeting of the board of directors of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Tuesday, May 26, board members asked Tony George, chief executive officer of the IMS companies, to devise a plan for management of Hulman and Company, the Indy Racing League, Clabber Girl and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that would allow him to focus on the business which requires the greatest attention. This plan is to be presented to the board at a meeting later this year.
IMS Chairman of the Board Mari Hulman George said: "There was a general discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing all of our companies and where most of our energies need to be spent. All of our properties are doing well, given the challenges of the current economy. The Indy Racing League represents our greatest growth opportunity and therefore deserves the most attention at this point."
Tony George said: "Contrary to published reports, I continue to serve as CEO of IMS. Our board of directors met yesterday, and we did discuss how to best confront challenges and exploit opportunities facing our businesses. This is nothing new and is something that we continually do as a board. But no changes in leadership or responsibility have been made. We don't normally comment on board deliberations concerning our family business. However, the widespread, inaccurate reports and rumors caused my mother and me to conclude that it was necessary to set the record straight. If changes are made in the management of the company that are newsworthy, we will announce them when they are made."
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Indy Wrap III: Dan, Danica, and Townsend
Ultimately, the 2nd-place (and so on) finisher of a race is "first loser," the driver we talk to about why they didn't pull it off. This is esp. true of a race like the Indy 500. But some words about Dan Wheldon, Danica Patrick, and Townsend Bell.
Prior to Carb Day, Dan Wheldon had a sub-par month of May. He crashed on Pole Day and struggled to find "balance." Evidently, Panther found it in time. Thanks in part to phenomenal stops, the National Guard car finished 2nd for the second straight year, besting 2 Penskes and 2 Ganassis. Hell of a job.
As for Danica, I realized what struck me most. Four yrs. ago, when she finished 4th, she had NO idea how it happened. Her knowledge of the car was non-existent. Today, she's become a racer, with s much, much better understanding of what her car needs and is doing at the time. Her 3rd place run was well and truly earned.
Unfortunately for Townsend Bell, his stunning 4th-place at Indy may be his only ride of the yr. The economics of the sport just prevent some talented guys from partaking. Still, if that was his only race, wow, what a drive! More remarkably, he did it on a 2nd-week program w/ limited practice. If his pit crew had been a regular, more experienced one, he could have finished 2nd.
Prior to Carb Day, Dan Wheldon had a sub-par month of May. He crashed on Pole Day and struggled to find "balance." Evidently, Panther found it in time. Thanks in part to phenomenal stops, the National Guard car finished 2nd for the second straight year, besting 2 Penskes and 2 Ganassis. Hell of a job.
As for Danica, I realized what struck me most. Four yrs. ago, when she finished 4th, she had NO idea how it happened. Her knowledge of the car was non-existent. Today, she's become a racer, with s much, much better understanding of what her car needs and is doing at the time. Her 3rd place run was well and truly earned.
Unfortunately for Townsend Bell, his stunning 4th-place at Indy may be his only ride of the yr. The economics of the sport just prevent some talented guys from partaking. Still, if that was his only race, wow, what a drive! More remarkably, he did it on a 2nd-week program w/ limited practice. If his pit crew had been a regular, more experienced one, he could have finished 2nd.
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