Having not posted since December 10th last year, I figure that it’s high time that I got back on the horse. Truth be told, I’ve been on holidays, sunning myself (in a sun safe manner of course) and sparing precious few thoughts for world politics. Still, all good things must end – and even Bush returns to work, once all the chainsaw-able things on his ranch have been chopped. I thought I’d kick of ’08 in the clichéd (but necessary) way that our society demands: with some Presidential Resolutions.
1. End the Writers Strike
If the US achieves ones thing this year (and that’s no guarantee), ending the 10 week Writers Guild of America strike should be that thing. The writers have downed pens in response to getting screwed out of growing Internet profits by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) – or Big Movie. There are currently no signs of a settlement and the last strike, back in ’88 lasted nearly 22 weeks (and cost about $870 million) – so most are settling in for a long fight. The greatest tragedy is that Jon Stewart’s Daily Show and the Colbert Report have been seriously disrupted… have you people no souls?
2. Stabilise Pakistan
Before Benazir Bhutto was assassinated, we had good reason to worry about the future of Pakistan. Now, clearly, that concern has increased. The US needs to tread very carefully in the coming months, else they risk losing a vital foothold in their actual wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (let alone their hyperbole laden War on Terror). For once, they may do well to let the Pakistani people decide how they are governed – given the response to the US support for Bhutto. It’s a complicated problem, but one that should be addressed with the highest priority (as soon as the Writers Strike is over).
3. Anyone but Hillary
After the Iowa Primary on January 3rd of this year, I was on top of the world. The first real contest of the US Presidential race had gone better than I could have imagined: my man Obama was the clear winner for the Democrats and the Republicans had offered up Mike Huckabee - an anti-abortion, homophobic, evolution denying Baptist Minister (read typical Republican). In short, Obama was clearly going to be the 44th President of the USA.
5 days later, in New Hampshire, Hillary edged out Obama (39% to 36% - but 9 delegates each) and McCain was the surprise victor for the Republicans. Suddenly, the ordained establishment candidates were looking good again and all eyes are now turned to Super Tuesday (Feb 5th), when 24 states vote on the same day. I have high hopes that Obama/Edwards will be the Democratic ticket (and am staunchly opposed to a continuation of the Bush/Clinton dynasty). McCain, for the record, is the only Republican with a chance of being the next President, so fingers crossed one of the other freaks gets the nomination.
4. Keep the Peace with Iran
This seems to be a no-brainer to me. The last thing the Yanks need is another war. They need a continental outbreak of Ebola more than they need another war. Still, Bush and Cheney insist on rattling their metaphorical sabers, daring the Iranians into conflict. Last weeks naval incident in the Gulf was the latest example of sidling up to the brink. Dumb isn’t the word – but Bush needs a legacy and Cheney is running out of influence. I can assure you that war with Iran is very much on the cards.
5. Rail against the Popular Media
Finally, 2008 is going to be my year of lobbying against the popular media. This morning’s coverage for instance was devoted nearly wholly to a teenage (idiot) boy who staged a massive house party while his parents were away. Meanwhile, Bush signed an arms deal with the Saudi’s; a road side bomb was detonated in Pakistan’s most populated city and French President Sarkosy defended Iran’s right to nuclear technology. I’m just plain sick of being fed human interest crap, while the world burns.
1. End the Writers Strike
If the US achieves ones thing this year (and that’s no guarantee), ending the 10 week Writers Guild of America strike should be that thing. The writers have downed pens in response to getting screwed out of growing Internet profits by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) – or Big Movie. There are currently no signs of a settlement and the last strike, back in ’88 lasted nearly 22 weeks (and cost about $870 million) – so most are settling in for a long fight. The greatest tragedy is that Jon Stewart’s Daily Show and the Colbert Report have been seriously disrupted… have you people no souls?
2. Stabilise Pakistan
Before Benazir Bhutto was assassinated, we had good reason to worry about the future of Pakistan. Now, clearly, that concern has increased. The US needs to tread very carefully in the coming months, else they risk losing a vital foothold in their actual wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (let alone their hyperbole laden War on Terror). For once, they may do well to let the Pakistani people decide how they are governed – given the response to the US support for Bhutto. It’s a complicated problem, but one that should be addressed with the highest priority (as soon as the Writers Strike is over).
3. Anyone but Hillary
After the Iowa Primary on January 3rd of this year, I was on top of the world. The first real contest of the US Presidential race had gone better than I could have imagined: my man Obama was the clear winner for the Democrats and the Republicans had offered up Mike Huckabee - an anti-abortion, homophobic, evolution denying Baptist Minister (read typical Republican). In short, Obama was clearly going to be the 44th President of the USA.
5 days later, in New Hampshire, Hillary edged out Obama (39% to 36% - but 9 delegates each) and McCain was the surprise victor for the Republicans. Suddenly, the ordained establishment candidates were looking good again and all eyes are now turned to Super Tuesday (Feb 5th), when 24 states vote on the same day. I have high hopes that Obama/Edwards will be the Democratic ticket (and am staunchly opposed to a continuation of the Bush/Clinton dynasty). McCain, for the record, is the only Republican with a chance of being the next President, so fingers crossed one of the other freaks gets the nomination.
4. Keep the Peace with Iran
This seems to be a no-brainer to me. The last thing the Yanks need is another war. They need a continental outbreak of Ebola more than they need another war. Still, Bush and Cheney insist on rattling their metaphorical sabers, daring the Iranians into conflict. Last weeks naval incident in the Gulf was the latest example of sidling up to the brink. Dumb isn’t the word – but Bush needs a legacy and Cheney is running out of influence. I can assure you that war with Iran is very much on the cards.
5. Rail against the Popular Media
Finally, 2008 is going to be my year of lobbying against the popular media. This morning’s coverage for instance was devoted nearly wholly to a teenage (idiot) boy who staged a massive house party while his parents were away. Meanwhile, Bush signed an arms deal with the Saudi’s; a road side bomb was detonated in Pakistan’s most populated city and French President Sarkosy defended Iran’s right to nuclear technology. I’m just plain sick of being fed human interest crap, while the world burns.
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Saludos desde el Movimiento Argenlibre
My Spanish isn't what it used to be, but gracias por para el visitar.
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