Wesley Clark has written a lucid and insightful critique of the Bush Administration’s policies in Iraq, contrasting them with our experiences with the former Soviet Union. It’s worth reading. I’m beginning to lean towards Clark as veep candidate. John Edwards seems a little too eager for the job and there’s nobody else out there who strikes me as a vibrant candidate. And the McCain scenario doesn’t wash with me. He’s a decent enough guy with some moderate views, but emphasis on “some.” He’s still a Republican and I think a lot of people who might vote for Kerry might swing towards Nader or stay home if McCain is Kerry’s pick. And I think that’s exactly what Kerry’s advisors are telling him.
Global warming and climate change are the memes of the moment. First, you have the movie The Day After Tomorrow, where Gaia finally decides it’s had enough and starts bitch-slapping the human race. Then there’s the new novel by Kim Stanley Robinson (whose last book I thought was brilliant) which describes the efforts of scientists to save the world from environmental catastrophe. And NPR recently did a series of reports on varying opinions on global warming. All this attention on climate change probably won’t dissuade anyone from buying that new SUV, but popular culture has always been a good barometer of society’s lingering fears and anxieties. Unfortunately, those anxieties probably won’t be fully realized until it’s too late to do take any remedial action.
Hurricane Charlie trashed Florida, and a few weeks later, we are anxiously waiting for hurricane Frances. In Virginia, flooding thanks to TS Gaston left Richmond with at least $15 million in damage.
Are we still in doubt?