Presidential Medal of Freedom

Still President Bush has another 11 days in office – and then we can start the clean up. It’s going to make Chernobyl look like a summer holiday. He’s been like a really bad tenant, cooking indoors on an open fire, raising chickens in the pantry and shitting in the sink. Unfortunately, the stakes were a lot higher than the upkeep of an investment. In the rudderless days of the transition between Presidents, Bush is focusing on crafting a legacy – while Gaza burns, economists despair and Afghanistan becomes the new Iraq (or Vietnam). Talk about bad timing.

In general, the long transition is a horrible idea. The outgoing President has idle hands and the knowledge that his position and privilege will soon be gone. In their final days in the White House, lame duckers often re-discover their power to pardon criminals (at random), dramatically modify legislation and tea-leaf that lamp that they’ve always liked so much. Bush so far has pushed through a few late night anti-environment bills and been sparring with his pardons (with the notable exception of Scooter Libby) – however, he is giving out Medals of Freedom like they’re candy canes at Santa’s Workshop.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honour the US bestows on a civilian. It is awarded at the discretion of the President – I guess in a similar way to which the Queen hands out knighthoods. Past recipients include Mother Teresa, Muhammad Ali, Neil Armstrong (and Buzz), Jesse Jackson and Stormin’ Norman Schwarzkopf. All worthwhile  nominees, given  it is designed to recognize individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavours."

What I take particular issue with here is that Bush is blatantly using the medal to reward cronies and collaborators past and present. In 2004, he hung the medal around the neck of former CIA head George Tenet. The same George Tenet that presided over the colossal intelligence failures that led to 9/11 and who called invading Iraq a “slam dunk”. Worse however, this month will see the honour bestowed on three particularly dubious suspects: Tony Blair, Columbian President Alvaro Uribe and our own John Howard. Apparently, “all three leaders have been staunch allies of the United States, particularly in combating terrorism”. More accurately, these three leaders have blindly stuck with the US during their failed two front war and offered carte blanche praise for the unpopular Bush.

The whole affair has just added a final sour taste to the shit sandwich that has been the Bush years. The ceremony, no doubt hailing the success of the ‘coalition of the willing, will be one of Dubya’s final acts as commander-in-chief (hopefully) and an integral part of spinning a positive legacy. In the years ahead, I hope the medals bring cold comfort to Howard and Blair particularly, as they lay awake and wonder of their complicity in the worst US Presidency the world has seen. 

Not a Dry Eye

An astute summary of last night's mood, from Former Secretary of State Colin Powell (that guy is slowly clawing his way back up my ladder). Obama's victory was based almost exclusively on his inclusiveness. Powell's weren't the only eyes with tears in them during Obama's speech, that's for sure.

(By the way, the Daily Beast is a cool place to get your news if you don't have a better source - and it's good to see Hugh has graduated from Nine to CNN, well played)

Yes He Can

My over-riding emotion yesterday was relief - pure and simple relief. After such a long campaign, with some many hopes riding on a single day, the weight of expectation was crippling. A few commentators were still entertaining thought of an upset, waxing lyrical about The Bradley Effect – but most of all the Republican fear factory had left more than a few voters with Obama related doubts. So, when Ohio was called for Obama early on, and the 2004 map shattered, all I felt was relief. President-elect Obama. It’s got a hell of a ring to it.

In the end, it was an Obama whitewash, like few of us dared to hope for (though one which 538 astutely predicted). The Dems won in Ohio, Indiana, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and crucially Virginia and Florida (all states that went for Bush in 2004). North Carolina and Missouri are yet to be called, but Obama could squeak home there too (not that it matters: his 349 electoral votes far exceed the 270 he required). The Dems have also extended their hold on the Senate (was 49-49 and 2 independents, now its 56-40 with 4 undecided) and House of Reps (won about 20 extra seats and hold their clear majority). Reaching the magical 60 senate seats (which stops Republican stalling tactics) would, for the first time in a long time, give the Dems complete control of all three branches of government.

The bad news from Election Day, to temper my celebrations came from the ballot initiatives in several states. California’s Prop 8 seems to have been passed (52-48%), banning gay marriage in that state (Florida and Arizona did the same). The benevolent people of Arkansas also saw fit to enact a ban on gay couples adopting, while Nebraska agreed to end affirmative action. All very, very disappointing. It was some consolation to see the passing of some more liberal initiatives in Michigan (medical marijuana and stem cell research) and Washington (euthanasia) – but still a bittersweet day.

Overall though, I’m glad that Obama (and Biden) will be given his chance to enact some of his vision. The doubters failed to deny him the highest office and he can now let his actions speak for him. The reality that he’s not a secret Muslim, or a communist, or just a fancy speaker will be plain for all to see. I have great faith that the much (if not all) of his agenda will be hotly pursued: battling climate change, ending the war, mending health care and turning the economy back from the brink. Already the world is more receptive to the US following the change of leadership – and me, like many others have a really good feeling about the next 4 years. Congratulations, Mr. President (elect).

No on 8

The relationship between the individual states of the US and the Federal Union is a complex one. The courts are kept busy delineating a zigzagging line between the autonomy (and law making ability) of the states – and their subservience to Washington. The result is a patchwork of laws and regulations unique to each state, covering such weighty topics as the death penalty, the age of consent, gun ownership and of course abortion. Topical this week though, is again same-sex marriage currently only allowed in three US states (and 6 countries, none of which are Australia): Massachusetts, Connecticut – and up until today, California – but I’m getting to that.

Another peculiarity of the state law making process is the ballot initiative. Proposed amendments to the state constitution or laws are offered up for a referendum and decided by the people. I’m familiar with its work from Episode 23 of Simpsons Season 7 – Much Apu About Nothing. Aside from Homer’s hilarious “I would like to buy your rock” gear at the front end (introducing me to spurious reasoning), the episode parodies California Proposition 187 – which in a nutshell blames ‘immigants’ for rising costs, and voted to exclude them from social services. The episode showcases the ignorance and fear-mongering that often drives ballots of this sort.

Anyway, I could go on about the Simpsons all day, but the parallel is that today California votes on a range of initiatives, including the banning of gay marriage – by editing their constitution to read: "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." Arizona, Arkansas and Florida have similar homophobic votes today – while other states are seeking to make abortion more difficult to access, voting on medical marijuana, assisted suicide and ending affirmative action. Emotions, clearly are running high. The partisans from both sides have spent big, especially on Prop 8, seeing it (as always) as a leverage point to widen the ‘fight against gays’ (much of the ‘Yes’ funding has come from the Mormons and a crackpot millionaire named Howard F. Ahmanson).

On such an historic day – Obama’s landslide win – I’m hoping that many of these conservative ballot proposals are defeated. I feel particularly strongly about Prop 8 in California. I see California as a liberal, cosmopolitan state, and it makes good sense that they have equality for same-sex couples. The ‘Yes’ campaign has peddled blatant lies about the erosion of the institution of marriage – and the fall of the US… spreading the kind of baseless fears that have perpetuated racism for so long. Let me say this once more for the dummies – your loving marriage cannot be attacked by anyone, let alone by the loving marriage of a same-sex couple. Chisel it into your forehead. I’d clearly be voting ‘No’– and I hope the majority of Californians do likewise. 

President Obama

As an Australian, you could be forgiven for thinking that tomorrow’s US elections don’t affect you. Well you could have, back in the day when ineptitude wasn’t such a premium, and few believed that one man could destroy a whole country. Eight Bush years later and we know better: the country is heavily divided along ideological divides, the once powerful US (and world) economy is disintegrating and peace is a distant memory. So many of the assumptions of world order have been shattered, by the Bush doctrine of pre-emptive strikes, by the naming of an axis of evil and a spurning of diplomacy as a sign of weakness. Bush will long be remembered as the worst President they’ve ever had.

Having watched this disaster slowly unfold, it’s clear that the influence of the American President is far reaching. The limits of his power were assumed to be far smaller than Bush showed them to be. He unilaterally invaded Iraq, has held over 700 detainees in Gitmo without charge (270 remain) brought state sanctioned torture to the West and spied on his own citizens (not only is he stupid, he’s mean too). In this light, I hope you’d agree that this election is worth paying attention to and that the outcome has tangible consequences.

Without overstating my oft repeated pro-Obama position, the only logical winner tomorrow is Barack. Ideologically, it’s time to turn this car around, on its way to the extreme right – and head back to the centre. The Palin stereotype is the last type of governance the US (or the world) needs. The Republicans have run a fearful campaign, threatening everything from a Muslim Terrorist President – to married gay doctors performing abortions in the streets (Barack will take your money, your guns, and your freedom!!) The reality is, Obama will end the war in Iraq, wage a better one in Afghanistan, favour the middle class over the rich and take a shot at some real problems: healthcare and energy.

I’m as fearful as the next Obama supporter about an upset – but logic tells me that he will win in a landslide. His ground game is better, he has more money, and his positions are stronger. Long Red states could be swept aside, awash in Obama-blue. Despite that, I will sit here, madly refreshing 538 and CNN, watching every vote come in – waiting for the announcement that Obama is President elect. Don’t let me down America.

Raise the Alarm

I’ve always been a fan of the Living End. They’re a great Aussie band. For a few years there I couldn’t get enough of them and will always remember their set at the Falls Festival back in 2003. Lead singer and guitarist Chris Cheney is a genius (and for the record, my preferred Cheney) and that night, he played like he’d made a deal with the devil. Back in July, the lads released their latest offering: a catchy album called White Noise.

It’s a good album, plenty to get into if you have the patience to listen. Track 9, 21st Century sounds like an updated version of We Didn’t Start the Fire, but a little darker (“Hefner is the devil incarnate”). In particular though, I was most pleased to hear track 2: Raise the Alarm. It’s the Atheist’s Anthem that I’ve longed for. My previous preferred band, Bad Religion, hint at the issue, with lines like “maybe god is just a chemical fiction” – but, The Living End have really nailed it here:

I may not believe in God
That doesn't mean I'm a lesser person
I still have a heart
And I know what it feels like to be broken

I may not believe in Jesus
But I believe in sacrifice
Life doesn’t always stand reason
No one ever gets a chance
To live it twice

The song articulates many of societies prejudices against atheists. We still have morals. We are still capable of virtuous actions. Organised religion does not have the monopoly on goodness (to say the very least). Watch the clip, listen to the song and re-think your position on atheists.

Too Close to Call

The seemingly endless US Presidential campaign is finally drawing to a close, and the American people have a 50% chance of proving my strong belief that democracy doesn’t work. Its innate weakness is the inability of the majority to ponder deeply on the challenges of a global society – and the likelihood that showmanship (money and spin) will trump substance. Put simply, most people don’t know what’s good for them.

The remaining choices for US President exemplify this particular flaw. While the Democrats have promised healthcare reform, and end to the war in Iraq, middle-class tax cuts and to pay attention to the imploding economy – the Republicans are responding with character traits like honour, bravery, experience and propensity to fire a high powered firearm. With most polls showing a dead even race, I can’t help but wonder how this can be so?

Now, McCain has been drifting to the right ever since he last failed to get to the White House in 2000. His former reasonable stances on immigration, abortion, and foreign policy have dissolved in a froth of expediency. His pick of Sarah Palin as running mate, has confirmed that he’s out of drifting room and has crashed aground on Right-Wing Extremist Island. Sarah doesn’t think there is ever a justification for abortion. She’s a gun enthusiast (nut), has no real concept of foreign policy (except living across the water from Russia!), and very recently wondered aloud (and on camera) exactly what is it that the VP does… She was chosen specifically to appeal to the small town folk stereotype that she epitomises – and for the time being, it seems to be working.

I remain hopeful that sanity will prevail. Obama is a strong, articulate man. He’s not only got sound policy positions, but a star quality usually lacking in Democrats (excluding Bill of course). He’s chosen wisely in the experienced Joe Biden as his running mate. Together, they are the intelligent, non working class, non-small town types that I feel should be in charge of leading the free world.

Unfortunately, the international appeal of smart, reasonable men runs a strong chance of succumbing to the US tendency to choose conservative zealots who remind them of themselves. For my sake and yours, I hope this time will be different. 

A White House

Posting has been reduced to a trickle of late. The cabinet has undergone a series of serious geographical changes and time has been a hot commodity. My loyal Chief of Staff has gone trans-pacific and is now reporting (any day now) from Sunny California, while my missing Finance Minister has long since relocated to Dreary Old England. Meanwhile, in pursuit of the Australian Dream, I’ve uprooted the First Lady and we’ve headed west: the White Unit has been upgrade to a White House.

My change of venue in particular has brought a heightened sense of realism to many aspects of social policy that have long been an annoyance. Clearly, President-In-Waiting doesn’t pay anything like it should, so I’m now the proud owner of a mortgage I can’t afford. I also commute, like a sucker, via City Rail’s poorly run, shambles of a rail network. To ice the cake, The First Lady is quietly incubating a Presidential Heir, highlighting the meager allowances given to child bearing folk in our society in terms of maternity leave, child care and health cover. The whole affair has made me want to be President more than ever.

So, it starts again, with renewed vigour. The good people at Commonwealth Bank are On Notice – after mercilessly screwing me, while claiming to be “Determined to Be Different”. Don’t even get me started. City Rail has also made the list – though I’m hopeful that the fall of the Iemma Government will mean that the motto changes from “Ineptitude, it’s what we do”. Catchy. I’m also gunning for Big Pharma and our crumbling health care system – the lessons of Sicko are not lost on me, as they are on our present leaders. My mahogany desk, and faux seal are in place and the time for posting invective has returned.