General Stanley McChrystal made a big mistake. He says so, his Commander in Chief says so as well as the Defence Secretary and Joint Chiefs of Staff.
He and his staff should not have allowed Rolling Stone Magazine such unfettered access in a time of war. Having done so, he compounded the mistake by speaking too freely.
Many of the individual criticisms made by he and his staff have merit and have been spoken by many in Congress and the media. It doesn`t matter whether he was right on the merits of the criticisms or not. Arguably it is worse that his comments have merit because they are more destabilizing.
As the man in charge of the Afghanistan theatre, General McChrystal is responsible for motivating the troops and getting them ready to do the job. If he felt that his hands were being tied by politicians in Washington, then he has a responsibility to resign.....not to pop off to Rolling Stone magazine.
McChrystal must go. His actions reflect poor judgment and border on insubordination. This is clear.
So then why are Obama, Defence Secretary Gates and various members of the Chain of Command issuing statements of disappointment in the General? Why are they all talking to the press about McChrystal's "error in judgment."
Obama should have fired McChrystal and ordered him home immediately. The rest of them should have shut up. Sadly, this kind of public vacillation supports some of McChrystal's complaints about indecivenesss.
It's ironic and very troubling.
Does Obama have it in him to make the hard (or even the easy) decisions? This is starting to look like a second term for the Carter administration.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
World Cup so far
The group stage of the World Cup is nearing a close.
Congratulations are in order to the South Africans. They did not advance but they finished 1-1-1 by beating France. This was a very respectable result of which they can be proud.
Greece has won their first World Cup match ever. This was helped by scoring their first goal ever at this tournament.
Along with the many minnows who have upset the big nations there have been frequent (far too frequent) displays of diving and feigning of injuries. This is cheating and is the biggest blight upon this event. The same statement can be made every 4 years. When will FIFA do something about this culture of diving?
As much as sports teaches us about the right way to do things, it also teaches us that cheaters often do prosper. Who can forget Diego Maradona winning the World Cup after scoring with a handball?
This year Thierry Henry's handball put France into this tournament at Ireland's expense. Irish hearts were broken and polls showed that the French population were embarrassed at their team's entry. This was set right today when France bowed out going winless amidst recriminations and infighting.
France is a great football nation. They will be back and will do themselves proud. However at this World Cup they went out as they should have because they did not deserve to be there.
Congratulations are in order to the South Africans. They did not advance but they finished 1-1-1 by beating France. This was a very respectable result of which they can be proud.
Greece has won their first World Cup match ever. This was helped by scoring their first goal ever at this tournament.
Along with the many minnows who have upset the big nations there have been frequent (far too frequent) displays of diving and feigning of injuries. This is cheating and is the biggest blight upon this event. The same statement can be made every 4 years. When will FIFA do something about this culture of diving?
As much as sports teaches us about the right way to do things, it also teaches us that cheaters often do prosper. Who can forget Diego Maradona winning the World Cup after scoring with a handball?
This year Thierry Henry's handball put France into this tournament at Ireland's expense. Irish hearts were broken and polls showed that the French population were embarrassed at their team's entry. This was set right today when France bowed out going winless amidst recriminations and infighting.
France is a great football nation. They will be back and will do themselves proud. However at this World Cup they went out as they should have because they did not deserve to be there.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Aid and Comfort to the Enemy
US Law prohibits the "material support or resources" of foreign organizations designated by the State Department to be terrorist organizations.
In the case of the Attorney General v. Humanitarian Law project, The Supreme Court upheld the law in the face of arguments by Humanitarian Law that this prohibition infringed upon their First Amendment rights.
The majority decision correctly held that any American had a First Amendment right to express support for the aims of an organization no matter how odious. They ruled that this did not apply to the provision of material, expert training or personnel to the organization.
To put it into layman's terms, it is fine for any American to say that the Taliban represented a golden age for Afghanistan but it is illegal to provide personnel, material or expert advice as support for the Taliban.
The remarkable thing about this ruling is that the 6-3 majority brought the 5 conservative justices together with the dean of the liberal wing, Justice John Paul Stevens. That justices Breyer, Ginsburg and Sotomayor would uphold a "right" to supply terrorists with material and personnel as a free speech right is shocking and offensive.
Voices of dissent in times of war are often shouted down with accusations that the dissenters are giving "aid and comfort" to the enemy. That accusation is often used as an unfair and over the top bullying effort to silence dissent. How remarkable that 3 justices of the Supreme Court would allow for actual aid and comfort to be supplied to the enemy.
It is rare that I applaud Justice Stevens for being on the right side of a SCOTUS ruling. His presence on the right side of this ruling makes it something other than the usual left-right split on the Supreme Court. The 3 dissenting justices are left looking ridiculous.
In the case of the Attorney General v. Humanitarian Law project, The Supreme Court upheld the law in the face of arguments by Humanitarian Law that this prohibition infringed upon their First Amendment rights.
The majority decision correctly held that any American had a First Amendment right to express support for the aims of an organization no matter how odious. They ruled that this did not apply to the provision of material, expert training or personnel to the organization.
To put it into layman's terms, it is fine for any American to say that the Taliban represented a golden age for Afghanistan but it is illegal to provide personnel, material or expert advice as support for the Taliban.
The remarkable thing about this ruling is that the 6-3 majority brought the 5 conservative justices together with the dean of the liberal wing, Justice John Paul Stevens. That justices Breyer, Ginsburg and Sotomayor would uphold a "right" to supply terrorists with material and personnel as a free speech right is shocking and offensive.
Voices of dissent in times of war are often shouted down with accusations that the dissenters are giving "aid and comfort" to the enemy. That accusation is often used as an unfair and over the top bullying effort to silence dissent. How remarkable that 3 justices of the Supreme Court would allow for actual aid and comfort to be supplied to the enemy.
It is rare that I applaud Justice Stevens for being on the right side of a SCOTUS ruling. His presence on the right side of this ruling makes it something other than the usual left-right split on the Supreme Court. The 3 dissenting justices are left looking ridiculous.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
World Cup 2010
I often write about the beauty of sport. There are so many life lessons that can be learned through participaton (even as a spectator) in sports. Different life lessons are often learned through individual sports vs team sports however both are important.
Among my favourites:
1) David can slay Goliath when one compensates for a lack of talent with superior effort.
2) Contests are more often won in practice. (admittedly a variation on Sun Tzu)
3) Life isn't always fair. Sometimes the good guys don't win. Sometimes cheaters prosper. You should still display sportsmanship.
The first world cup of soccer to be held on the continent of Africa is currently being held in South Africa. Soccer is probably the most global of all sports in participation and appeal. North America has been a laggard on this front until very recently.
That South Africa has emerged from Apartheid as a leading African nation is a wonderful thing. Living standards across Africa are poor but less so in South Africa. Hosting the World Cup after so many years of being banned from most sporting competitions sends a powerful message.
South Africa scored the first goal of the tournament in their 1-1 draw with Mexico. The symbolism and spirit cannot be denied. This World Cup might be more momentous than the 2002 World Cup in Japan/korea in terms of the effect upon the host nation.
However much i appreciate sports, it's also true that too many people overestimate the impact of sport in an economic sense. Many taxpayer dollars have been squandered in its pursuit.
Montreal's Olympic Stadium now sits mostly empty as a white elephant to the folly of the 1976 games. It was finally paid for 30 years after the Olympics at a total cost of 1.6 billion dollars.
So what will South Africa do with 10 similar stadiums?
Several first round games have been played in front of sparse crowds. So how many bums will fill the seats when the World Cup is not being hosted?
Perhaps i'm being overly negative but while sports provides important life lessons, it usually doesn't truly change the nature of a city hosting it. While Winnipeg's social pride was wounded when they lost the Jets of the NHL, getting an NHL team back will not result in a sea change. Winnipeg will still not be Toronto even if they end up having a better hockey team.
I hope i'm wrong but i just don't see how several of these stadums will pay for themselves once the Wordl Cup is done. South Africa may just end up with a billion dollar hangover when this is all done.
They are still a poor country...perhaps the money could have been better spent/
Among my favourites:
1) David can slay Goliath when one compensates for a lack of talent with superior effort.
2) Contests are more often won in practice. (admittedly a variation on Sun Tzu)
3) Life isn't always fair. Sometimes the good guys don't win. Sometimes cheaters prosper. You should still display sportsmanship.
The first world cup of soccer to be held on the continent of Africa is currently being held in South Africa. Soccer is probably the most global of all sports in participation and appeal. North America has been a laggard on this front until very recently.
That South Africa has emerged from Apartheid as a leading African nation is a wonderful thing. Living standards across Africa are poor but less so in South Africa. Hosting the World Cup after so many years of being banned from most sporting competitions sends a powerful message.
South Africa scored the first goal of the tournament in their 1-1 draw with Mexico. The symbolism and spirit cannot be denied. This World Cup might be more momentous than the 2002 World Cup in Japan/korea in terms of the effect upon the host nation.
However much i appreciate sports, it's also true that too many people overestimate the impact of sport in an economic sense. Many taxpayer dollars have been squandered in its pursuit.
Montreal's Olympic Stadium now sits mostly empty as a white elephant to the folly of the 1976 games. It was finally paid for 30 years after the Olympics at a total cost of 1.6 billion dollars.
So what will South Africa do with 10 similar stadiums?
Several first round games have been played in front of sparse crowds. So how many bums will fill the seats when the World Cup is not being hosted?
Perhaps i'm being overly negative but while sports provides important life lessons, it usually doesn't truly change the nature of a city hosting it. While Winnipeg's social pride was wounded when they lost the Jets of the NHL, getting an NHL team back will not result in a sea change. Winnipeg will still not be Toronto even if they end up having a better hockey team.
I hope i'm wrong but i just don't see how several of these stadums will pay for themselves once the Wordl Cup is done. South Africa may just end up with a billion dollar hangover when this is all done.
They are still a poor country...perhaps the money could have been better spent/
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks.....poor Leafs fans!
The New York Rangers ended a 50 year streak of futility when they captured the Stanley Cup in 1994.
Tonight the Chicago Blackhawks won Lord Stanley's mug to end a 49 year streak of futility.
This leaves the Toronto Maple Leafs with the longest drought at 43 years. During that period of time, 23 Cups have been won by teams that did not even exist when Toronto last celebrated. Included in that list are such notable hockey hotbeds such as Carolina, Anaheim and Tampa Bay.
No point really.....other than the LEAFS SUCK!!!
Congrats to Chicago!
Tonight the Chicago Blackhawks won Lord Stanley's mug to end a 49 year streak of futility.
This leaves the Toronto Maple Leafs with the longest drought at 43 years. During that period of time, 23 Cups have been won by teams that did not even exist when Toronto last celebrated. Included in that list are such notable hockey hotbeds such as Carolina, Anaheim and Tampa Bay.
No point really.....other than the LEAFS SUCK!!!
Congrats to Chicago!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
The Helen Thomas Era Ends
Helen Thomas's career has been long and distinguished. She began covering President elect Kennedy in 1960 and has covered every President since. It was well known that she was no friend of Republicans and no friend of Israel, still admiration for her was nearly universal. Her seat in the press gallery was directly in front of the President and she was a formidable adversary for any politician.
The end of her career was a rather sad spectacle. At the age of 89 she attended the White House celebration of Jewish Heritage month and inexplicably told a rabbi that the Jews should "get the hell out of Palestine" and "go home." She suggested that they return to Poland, Germany and America.
Germany and Poland were countries in which many Jews were born and raised for generations. It is also the case that the most notorious Nazi death camps were also situated there.
Helen Thomas was a teenager during Kristallnacht. She was an adult when Hitler invaded Poland. Throughout her entire life (and before) Jews lived in Palestine. During her long life, Jews ceased to be a significant part of the population of many Arab countries.
It could be said that these facts should lead to her condemnation as she should have really known better. However it is also the basis for some forgiveness. What she said was very offensive. However she is almost 90 now. I couldn't help but feel some sympathy for her as Ari Fleischer (Bush Administration) and Lanny Davis (Clinton Administration) eviscerated her publicly and disavowed their past friendship and respect.
If you were lucky enough to have a grandmother who was deep into her 80's, would you be embarrassed if she said something off colour or would you smile knowing that she has lived a life worthy of respect?
I once attended a military dinner where a number of retired officers attended. An old man barked at me and asked me if i was Japanese. I smiled and said "No sir, I'm Korean. We were fighting the Japanese behind the lines." A somewhat less old man came up to me and apologized for the old major's tone with me. I told him that no apologies were necessary. That "old man" was a decorated veteran of the Italian campaign and deserved respect. Sure he might have gone a little batty but I chose to cut him some slack. He had earned it.
Helen Thomas was right to retire. She probably should have done so earlier. Lanny Davis and Ari Fleischer should stand down. There is no valour in beating up on an old woman. They should throw her a big party to celebrate her retirement and honour her life. She deserves it.
The end of her career was a rather sad spectacle. At the age of 89 she attended the White House celebration of Jewish Heritage month and inexplicably told a rabbi that the Jews should "get the hell out of Palestine" and "go home." She suggested that they return to Poland, Germany and America.
Germany and Poland were countries in which many Jews were born and raised for generations. It is also the case that the most notorious Nazi death camps were also situated there.
Helen Thomas was a teenager during Kristallnacht. She was an adult when Hitler invaded Poland. Throughout her entire life (and before) Jews lived in Palestine. During her long life, Jews ceased to be a significant part of the population of many Arab countries.
It could be said that these facts should lead to her condemnation as she should have really known better. However it is also the basis for some forgiveness. What she said was very offensive. However she is almost 90 now. I couldn't help but feel some sympathy for her as Ari Fleischer (Bush Administration) and Lanny Davis (Clinton Administration) eviscerated her publicly and disavowed their past friendship and respect.
If you were lucky enough to have a grandmother who was deep into her 80's, would you be embarrassed if she said something off colour or would you smile knowing that she has lived a life worthy of respect?
I once attended a military dinner where a number of retired officers attended. An old man barked at me and asked me if i was Japanese. I smiled and said "No sir, I'm Korean. We were fighting the Japanese behind the lines." A somewhat less old man came up to me and apologized for the old major's tone with me. I told him that no apologies were necessary. That "old man" was a decorated veteran of the Italian campaign and deserved respect. Sure he might have gone a little batty but I chose to cut him some slack. He had earned it.
Helen Thomas was right to retire. She probably should have done so earlier. Lanny Davis and Ari Fleischer should stand down. There is no valour in beating up on an old woman. They should throw her a big party to celebrate her retirement and honour her life. She deserves it.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Serving your Country....again
In these times of (relative) peace, serving your country often means playing a sport for your national team. Players often talk about the honour of "playing for their country" in tones that would make it appear that they were sacrificing life and limb to do so.
It is rare that a sporting federation (with a vested interest in promoting the commercial appeal of the game) would be the one giving us some perspective.
http://www.iihf.com/nc/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/article/saying-no-to-your-country.html
Szymon Szemberg has drawn criticism for naming and shaming players who declined the call to represent their country at the Hockey World Championships and the lame excuses they give. He is right to do so.
Among his best observations:
"How can a player who is 22 or 25 or 27, and who was just eliminated from the playoffs be tired? Tired is a miner who works in a damp pit in Miktivka, in the Donetz Plateau in Ukraine, who never sees daylight and who provides living for a family of five in a modest two-room apartment. That is tired."
"Tired is a divorced mother with two young kids who double shifts as a nurse assistant and cleaning lady to make ends meet."
"Why is a 22-year-old Sidney Crosby tired when a 34-year-old Ryan Smyth is answering the bell for his country despite having represented Canada at the Worlds already on eight occasions?"
Professional athletes live a privileged life. They should remember that when they make such lame excuses.
It is rare that a sporting federation (with a vested interest in promoting the commercial appeal of the game) would be the one giving us some perspective.
http://www.iihf.com/nc/home-of-hockey/news/news-singleview/article/saying-no-to-your-country.html
Szymon Szemberg has drawn criticism for naming and shaming players who declined the call to represent their country at the Hockey World Championships and the lame excuses they give. He is right to do so.
Among his best observations:
"How can a player who is 22 or 25 or 27, and who was just eliminated from the playoffs be tired? Tired is a miner who works in a damp pit in Miktivka, in the Donetz Plateau in Ukraine, who never sees daylight and who provides living for a family of five in a modest two-room apartment. That is tired."
"Tired is a divorced mother with two young kids who double shifts as a nurse assistant and cleaning lady to make ends meet."
"Why is a 22-year-old Sidney Crosby tired when a 34-year-old Ryan Smyth is answering the bell for his country despite having represented Canada at the Worlds already on eight occasions?"
Professional athletes live a privileged life. They should remember that when they make such lame excuses.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Honouring those who served
Two news items have struck a chord with me today.
In Afghanistan, Colonel Geoff Parker of the Royal Canadian Regiment (my old Regiment) became the highest ranking casualty amongst Canadians who have served in Afghanistan.
In Conneticut, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is in the news over revelations that he had spoken of his time serving in Vietnam and of how painful it was to be spat at upon his return. Only problem is that he never served in Vietnam. He received 5 deferments and then joined the Marine reserves to avoid combat.
AG Blumenthal's spoken words are powerful and right on their merits. It was inexcusable that young boys who were conscripted into a war received such treatment upon their return. America has spent a long time coming to terms with how wrong that was.
Richard Blumenthal's pathetic atttempts to curry favour while campaigning in front of Veterans groups only serve to aggravate that injustice. Before this he was the overwhelming favourite to replace Senator Chris Dodd as United States Senator from Conneticut.
His military history is not that different from mine. I served as a reservist and never served in combat. The idea of falsely claiming to have served in combat dishonours those who did serve and is so offensive that Blumenthal would be lucky not to get a punch in the jaw from a veteran who did serve.
For those who see this story in partisan tones, I would ask how they would feel if it had come to light that Governor George W Bush had claimed to have served in Vietnam while campaigning for higher office. How much would your blood boil?
Col Parker attended basic training in Gagetown at the same time i did but i did not know him. A close friend of mine reported directly to him when he started his service in the Regular Forces.
These two news stories from either side of the border highlight the best and worst of our society. There are those who serve nobly and make the ultimate sacrifice and there are those who lay claim to an honour they did not earn. I will be attending Col Parker's memorial service. Richard Blumenthal will drop out of the race if he has any honour at all.
He is unfit for the office he seeks.
Prayers for Col Parker's family and his young children.
In Afghanistan, Colonel Geoff Parker of the Royal Canadian Regiment (my old Regiment) became the highest ranking casualty amongst Canadians who have served in Afghanistan.
In Conneticut, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is in the news over revelations that he had spoken of his time serving in Vietnam and of how painful it was to be spat at upon his return. Only problem is that he never served in Vietnam. He received 5 deferments and then joined the Marine reserves to avoid combat.
AG Blumenthal's spoken words are powerful and right on their merits. It was inexcusable that young boys who were conscripted into a war received such treatment upon their return. America has spent a long time coming to terms with how wrong that was.
Richard Blumenthal's pathetic atttempts to curry favour while campaigning in front of Veterans groups only serve to aggravate that injustice. Before this he was the overwhelming favourite to replace Senator Chris Dodd as United States Senator from Conneticut.
His military history is not that different from mine. I served as a reservist and never served in combat. The idea of falsely claiming to have served in combat dishonours those who did serve and is so offensive that Blumenthal would be lucky not to get a punch in the jaw from a veteran who did serve.
For those who see this story in partisan tones, I would ask how they would feel if it had come to light that Governor George W Bush had claimed to have served in Vietnam while campaigning for higher office. How much would your blood boil?
Col Parker attended basic training in Gagetown at the same time i did but i did not know him. A close friend of mine reported directly to him when he started his service in the Regular Forces.
These two news stories from either side of the border highlight the best and worst of our society. There are those who serve nobly and make the ultimate sacrifice and there are those who lay claim to an honour they did not earn. I will be attending Col Parker's memorial service. Richard Blumenthal will drop out of the race if he has any honour at all.
He is unfit for the office he seeks.
Prayers for Col Parker's family and his young children.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Times Square Bomber
The story is still unfolding but here is what we know so far.....based on news reports.
Faisal Shahzad drove an SUV that was filled with propane canisters, solid fertilizer and some firecrackers to Times Square. It appears that he meant for this to create a large explosion.
Upon being arrested he has been forthcoming (according to reports) and he has claimed that he trained in camps in West Pakistan.
It is not often that there is mirth to be found in attempted terrorist actions but some rather humourous thoughts come to mind.
1) How is it that the terror camps of Pakistan can turn out fighters that have become so adept at creating IED's that disable tanks and kill coalition soldiers can also turn out a guy who thinks that any fertilizer can be made to explode? Really a box of manure won't blow up?
2) Propane canisters could be very deadly if they exploded throwing shrapnel in all directions. However it would require more heat than some firecrackers and burning fertilizer.
3) If he really trained at a camp in Pakistan, did he flunk out?
One wonders if this person is really someone who is mentally disturbed with some visions of grandeur. If this is the quality of terrorists being churned out of Pakistan, then there wouldn't be very much to worry about.
Faisal Shahzad drove an SUV that was filled with propane canisters, solid fertilizer and some firecrackers to Times Square. It appears that he meant for this to create a large explosion.
Upon being arrested he has been forthcoming (according to reports) and he has claimed that he trained in camps in West Pakistan.
It is not often that there is mirth to be found in attempted terrorist actions but some rather humourous thoughts come to mind.
1) How is it that the terror camps of Pakistan can turn out fighters that have become so adept at creating IED's that disable tanks and kill coalition soldiers can also turn out a guy who thinks that any fertilizer can be made to explode? Really a box of manure won't blow up?
2) Propane canisters could be very deadly if they exploded throwing shrapnel in all directions. However it would require more heat than some firecrackers and burning fertilizer.
3) If he really trained at a camp in Pakistan, did he flunk out?
One wonders if this person is really someone who is mentally disturbed with some visions of grandeur. If this is the quality of terrorists being churned out of Pakistan, then there wouldn't be very much to worry about.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Wither Journalism
On August 10, 2009 the Globe and Mail published an article by Jane Taber that carried the headline "Can a busy female politician give reliable evidence? A judge says no."
The article goes on to reprint comments from many individuals slamming the judge's sexist comments. There is only one problem with this article....the judge didn't say that.
MPP Lisa McLeod was giving evidence in the influence peddling trial of Ottawa mayor Larry O'brien. In her evidence SHE claimed that she could not remember some details accurately due to her busy schedule. She impugned her own testimony and the judge properly rejected her evidence.
The Ontario Press Council upheld a ruling against the Globe for publishing an opinion piece without labelling it as an editorial piece. They were right to do so since it was clearly an expression of opinion. However they should have gone further because this article did not report the facts, it reported falsehoods and then fashioned an opinion based on untruths. It failed basic standards of decency let alone journalism.
The Globe reported the Press Council's ruling in the middle of page 8. They should have put it on the front page. This kind of shoddy reporting/editorializing will only accelerate the decline of print media. They should be ashamed of themselves.
The article goes on to reprint comments from many individuals slamming the judge's sexist comments. There is only one problem with this article....the judge didn't say that.
MPP Lisa McLeod was giving evidence in the influence peddling trial of Ottawa mayor Larry O'brien. In her evidence SHE claimed that she could not remember some details accurately due to her busy schedule. She impugned her own testimony and the judge properly rejected her evidence.
The Ontario Press Council upheld a ruling against the Globe for publishing an opinion piece without labelling it as an editorial piece. They were right to do so since it was clearly an expression of opinion. However they should have gone further because this article did not report the facts, it reported falsehoods and then fashioned an opinion based on untruths. It failed basic standards of decency let alone journalism.
The Globe reported the Press Council's ruling in the middle of page 8. They should have put it on the front page. This kind of shoddy reporting/editorializing will only accelerate the decline of print media. They should be ashamed of themselves.
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