There is an element of lonely
self-gratification to blogging that calls to mind Woody Allen's description of masturbation
as "sex with someone I love." Of course he also said the same thing about one
of his children. But I digress. My point is you don't need a partner to blog
either. But here at FP there are some great ones (partners...not Korean
stepchildren that you would consider marrying) and so when I want a little
stimulation, like anyone else I just point and click around my home site. For
example...
Laura Rozen has a piece
referencing Joe Nye's assertion academics are increasingly irrelevant to
policy. While this is certainly true, it misses the bigger point: policy is
increasingly irrelevant to government. Government is reactive to a world is so complex and fast-moving that it
may be that policy itself is an antiquated concept. That's not to say that we don't have
policies...it's just to say that almost no one in government ever really thinks
about them, they're too busy spinning the headlines, stroking constituencies
and trying to keep the news cycle from blowing up in their faces.
FP ran a piece by
Nestor Carbonell saying it is too early to give up on the embargo with
Cuba. Yuh. Also way too early to say
whether or not television will catch on or to stop hoping for a comeback by
native Americans against the conquistadors. There is not one defensible reason
for the embargo. In fact, it is one of the best illustrations of that
definition that describes insanity is doing the same thing over and over
again-for almost half a century -- and expecting a different result. (Although
the technical foreign policy definition of insanity-unilateral sanctions-also
applies.) Frankly, the only thing making Cuba policy worth discussing any more
is the fact that it is so out of whack with reality. (I must say though, that I
did like the FP Passport story
about the Cuban regime poisoning diplo-pets...it's pathetic and nasty but on the
level of a crazy old coot who lives in the dilapidated house down the street.
Which is roughly right...if the old coot had a record of human rights violations
and keeping nuclear warheads in his back yard. Still, he's an old guy, not
really threatening anymore and it's time to accept change is in the wind.) The
best we can hope for is that once America's Cuba policy becomes more rational...and
the recent steps by the Obama administration on travel and remittances are, I
feel, an irreversible step in that direction... with some luck Cuba will assume
the importance it deserves among our priorities...somewhere between Curacao and
Sao Tome and Principe. (I kid...it belongs between the Dominican Republic and
Trinidad and Tobago.)
Tom Ricks says
Slate is wrong about Israel bombing
Iran anytime soon. He may be right about that. But there are those in the
Israeli military who don't think bombing is the way it will go. They have
quietly been speculating about an approach from the sea. Now, I know there is a whole group of
Israelis who feel they're making an important contribution just by ginning up
some speculation. Still, I'm just sayin'...
I reviewed carefully all
the lists of books on international relations. Most fall into the category of
I'd-rather-stick-my-hand-in-a-Cuisinart-than-read-this. Why is it that most
books on the intersection of money, power, ambition, and human drama are so
damn boring? Hint: it's not the subject matter.
Important breakthrough: All is right
in the Jewniverse.
(This reference is to my very own blog.) The powers that be at my daughter's
high school have relented and restored the swastikas to the spring musical. It
really will be springtime for Hitler, after all. Pause to daub away tear of
joy. Reason has prevailed. Bad taste has
triumphed again. I couldn't be prouder.)
I'm so delighted in fact, that when
I turn to Steve Walt's piece on the Somali pirates in which he cautions that
the weekend's triumph may be only prelude and that in any event, the issues of
piracy off the African coast pale in comparison to the bigger questions
confronting the world, I find I am actually in complete agreement with Walt. See what a few swastikas will do for a guy's
outlook. (Mine, mine. You guys are so sensitive.)
Since I am flipping around the FP
site, let me say that Net Effect is a great addition and I encourage everyone
not only to visit...but to click on his links. Many are fascinating. By the way,
that's a broader rule of thumb. Click the links. Some of them will surprise
you. My pieces here are regularly made better by genius linksmanship from the
FP editorial team.
So click the links...and remember the national anthem of bloggers
everywhere...
Hey, hey- - they say I better get a chaperone
Because I can't stop messin' with the danger zone
No, I won't worry, and I won't fret
Ain't no law against it yet
Oop -- she blog -- she blog"
She blog -- he blog -- we blog...
DeclanTM/Flickr
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