SamSaid!

JEFF

     Jeff Jacoby is a columnist who writes for the Boston Globe. Recently he authored an article entitled, “Everyone got it wrong before 9-11″. It is an article well worth reading. While it is a bit long to repeat the entire text here,  the last 3 paragraphs summarize his thoughts very well.

     “Prior to 9-11, no president from Jimmy Carter through Geroge W. Bush properly understood the danger of Islamist terrorism. None recognized that we were under attack by a ruthless enemy bent on global conquest and the destruction of Western liberty.  

     Far more important is what has happened since 9-11:  The Bush administration went to war. It destroyed Al Qaida's base in Afghanistan, toppled Saddam Hussein's dictatorship, turned Pakistan into a terror-war ally, and intimidated Libya into ending its hunt for nuclear weapons. Crucially, it has demolished the perception of America as —  in Bin Ladin's words  — a 'weak horse' that bolts at the first gunshot.

     How you regard that peformance –  as invaluable wartime leadership by the President or as a fraud “made up in Texas' –  is likely to decide how you vote this November”.

     We no doubt will have to suffer through months of campaign rhetoric between now and November, but I think Mr Jacoby has hit the nail on the head. Too bad it can't be required reading at the polls.

     Mr Jacoby's Email address is   Jacoby@globe.com.

20-20 HINDSIGHT

     Anyone who thinks the 9/11 Commission is non-partisan should go back and read the funny papers. Imagine all of the tax payer money being spent in this highly partisan finger pointing endeavor. If it WERE truly non-partisan, I wouldn't mind; but it has been transformed into another Bush bashing affair. I was particularly incensed at the tactics of Commission member Ben-Veniste when interrogating Condoleeza Rice. He prefaced his questions with, “Can you deny the possibility that….”   A graduate school prof told us many years ago that tactics like these are used by phonies and charlatans. He said, “Any time someone starts a question  with “Isn't it possible that….”, or ” Can you deny the possibility that…”, just refuse to answer the question. Almost anything is “possible”, but the phonies like to transform “possible” into “likely”. I admired Ms. Rice's spunk in heading him off at the pass. I wish she had said, “Mr Ben-Viste, is it possible that your wife is making love with your gardener while you are here at the meeting?” “Is it POSSIBLE”?

     But aside from the partisan hi-jinks, there is one glaring fact that should be apparent to all thinking Americans. By design, the FBI and CIA were specifically chartered  to operate separately so it should come as no surprise that they did not cooperate closely in sharing information  — about terrorism or anything else. And that goes way back before 9/11. Agonizing over this Congressional folly accomplishes nothing  — particularly by hindsight.   Second, under Clinton the FBI was way off the mark by viewing terror attacks as criminal matters and not acts of war. Why on earth should we extend criminal legal rights to terrorists? That's why I have no sympathy whatsoever for the Guantanamo inmates. If they are captives in the war or terrorism, we should show away the domestic legal niceties and tell the left wing lawyers to bug off.

     And while I am in such a good mood, I can't resist a few comments about Maureen Dowd of the NY Times. She is the one who labelled the other coalition forces in Iraq as “a gaggle of poodles and lackeys”. Isn't that a real boost for the good guys in a tough situation? Everytime I see the smirking image of Ms Dowd, the same question crosses my mind  –  “I wonder where she parked her broom?”

MASTERFUL

     The Masters golf tournament held annually at Augusts, Georgia simply has to be the premier sporting event in the world. Marvelous scenery, a perfect environment, a splendid atmosphere, knowledgeable and appreciative fans, exemplary conduct, and the best players in the world. Every year it seems to get better, but 2004 will be hard to beat. First, the dramatic farewell of golfing's legend, Arnold Palmer, who played in the event for 50 years (he won 4 times), followed by the come-from-behind dramatic win by Phil Mickelson. The mere thought of getting 5 birdies over the last seven is mind-boggling  — and then capped by winning the tournamant on the last stroke at the last hole on the last day. Hollywood's best script writers could hardly top that. From a very good golfer dubbed by some as a perennial loser he became a very popular champion in just one shot.

     In watching the entire 5 hour contest, I was impressed by the excellence of all that I saw. Well dressed, polite, courteous people  –  no insulting finger waving, no beer guts hanging over  inadequate belts, no drunks barfing behind trees, no coarse filty language and no loud mouth hecklers in the audience. It was a class act from start to finish  –  all in an incomparable setting. Just think  –  only 51 weeks to go until the 2005 Masters.

     In days where TV and the newspapers are dominated by killings, shootings, child abuse, garish trials, suicide bombers and other types of coarse, sub-human, or bestial behavior, a 5 hour respite from the downside of humanity is most welcome. The Masters offered that and more. Do the Tournament sponsors discriminate?  Yes, they probably do  — and more power to them. I've had enough of a society where “progress” is measured by destroying standards of behavior to satisfy “rights”. Do you really think that Margaret Burke can bring anything to the Masters except grief and friction??

     Lucky Mickelson. He will be able to play in the Masters every year from now on. And I'll be watching as long as I can! 

PUMP PRICES

     It is only April, but the issues for the upcoming Presidential election are lining up for serious debate. During the next 6+ months, we will be getting a bellyfull of commentary about the Iraqi war, the War on Terrorism, 9/11, exit from Iraq, Roe v. Wade, Gay marriage, Welfare reform, Judicial appoinmemnts, tax hikes, tax cuts, and use of steroids by ball players. Who knows what else, but whatever the issue, it won't be hard to distinguish between George Bush and John Kerry.

     Nothwithstanding all of the above, a pivotal issue could very well be the price of gasoline at the pump. As the prices climb over $2.00/gallon, the Kerryites no doubt will try to pin the “big, bad, oil” label on Geo B and Dick Cheney. But maybe this kind of debate will be of benefit to Americans long range. Oil of course, is a finite resource, and demand is getting higher an higher as the Chines and Indians add to the demand curve now supported by Western Europe, the USA and Japan. Stronger demand and a limited supply means higher prices. And how well the Saudis know that. Also, the US dollar has fallen in value so the Saudis will want more dollars to buy their product. Hence the Saudi decision to cut back production (sort of like an old capitalist trick) to drive up prices.

     All of this reminded me of an excellent lecture offered a number of years back by an eminently qualified academician whose name escapes me. He said the the US would never get serious about a national energy policy until pump prices exceeded $3.00 per gallon. In today's terms, that would be $3.50 per gallon. Only then, he said would we get serious about gas effecient cars, energy conservation measures, mass transit, enhancing petroleum supplies, and developing new energy sources. It was his view that until it REALLY hurts, nothing major will be done  –  just 4 eyed balding egghead professors riding to work on a bicycle urging that we not drill in the Arctic, not drill offshore, not drill in the mountains, and not look for new oil sources. I think he is right. Until the gas prices hit a critical point, the political gamesmanship will continue in Washington. Even now, an ATTEMPT at an energy policy is bottled up in the Senate my Mr Kerry and his buddies on the left side of the aisle.

     I wonder if the mainstream media will point this out?  In 2004?  Come on!