I'm sure I'll have more to say about this in the future, as I am sure that this conflict will grow in scope and importance as time wears on. For now though, let me be clear, I see this as a case of clear cut Russian aggression under the pretext of "independence" for South Ossetia. I don't buy the Russian cover story one little bit.

I would be more inclined to believe it if the Russians started talking about independence for a North AND South Ossetian state, but they are not, they are talking about annexing South Ossetia and possibly all of Georgia itself. They're performing one play for the world media and another on the ground in Georgia. Unless the Russians start talking about NORTH OSSETIAN INDEPENDENCE, their claim of "protection" for South Ossetia and their invasion of Georgia is merely theatre to disguise the rebuilding of the Russo/Soviet Empire.

The US should offer economic and military assistance to the Georgians immediately. I think that Georgia's application to NATO should be immediately approved and an ultimatium should be delivered to the Russians to withdraw to their own territory and agree to an immediate cease fire. They can then bring their case to the UN, just as the U.S. has done in the past.

Of course they won't do this and the Russian-Georgia war of 2008 will continue.

I do hope the map helped some people though.

--Jason

Posted by JasonColeman at 11:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

August 4, 2008

The new crop of generals. . .

The new crop of generals looks pretty good. I'm glad to see the final shift in military leadership that Rumsfeld was working toward. Regardless of your opinion of the man, Rummy was right about what we'd need to fight future asymetrical wars. Did Rumsfeld make every decision correctly? No can be the only answer, although I'd argue that the incorrect answers were in some cases quite serious.

Rumsfeld aside, this move toward a more combat tested and tuned general corps is a good one. Special Operations one-stars are a positive step. I especially like that the military police got a star, and on a woman too boot. We'll need a stronger MP corps in the future as training and support of Iraqi and Afghani forces becomes the focus.

Iraq and Afghanistan are not the last hot battles in the GWOT; al-queda is a nine+ headed hydra and even though we've lopped off two heads, there are still more to go. That's a sad fact, but fact it is. Do I wish that we could all just stop, right here right now and all get along? Of course I do. I'm a realist though, and the next battle is just around the corner.

In France today, it's considered normal to surrender whole parts of the Paris Megalopolis to violent "youths" and it's debatable whether or not England has "no-go" zones for the authorities. Pakistan's government is close to breaking down. Africa is a mess, but many parts are much better than they were 8 years ago.

It doesn't matter who's in the White House come January, the fact of the matter is that violent jihadis will attack or attempt to attack this nation for years to come. Wars of religion last centuries, and I'm not delusional in thinking this isn't a religious war, it's Islam vs. The Secular. We can almost say that this war has been going on for over two hundred years, and that what's different now is that this religious war has become "hot" again, or "hotter" if you prefer.

I think we'll be more than decently served by this new crop of one star army generals. I wish them luck and health and safety. I also thank them dearly for their service.

--Jason

Posted by JasonColeman at 10:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Why Bacchus should return to Washington. . .

As an original cosponsor of "The American Energy Act", Bacchus should be front and center in Washington DC this week as other GOP Congressmen continue their protest and demand for debate and and up and down vote on opening domestic reserves oil drilling.

The full test of The American Energy Act is here.

Where this current protest one the House floor (during adjournment) all started is captured in the video below:

Click to play

I can definately say that I support The American Energy Act, very wholeheartedly, but I would support almost any legislation that would open America's proven oil reserves to be opened for drilling, NOW, YESTERDAY.

I support the "all of the above approach" that begins with drilling, and more drilling, and more drilling. Drill until the United States becomes not only independent of foreign oil, but ensures that we have sufficient supply to take care of the U.S. and her allies should the need arise.

Next, let's get started post-haste with nuclear power development. It's a proven and SAFE technology and it's economically viable now. Let's fast track "clean coal" and "coal liquification" technology and permitting. Let's get natural gas flowing south from Alaska and north from the Gulf of Mexico. Let's enact a national net metering law so that any individual can produce their own solar and wind energy and sell it back to local utilities. Let's create tax credits for companies developing alternative fuels and energy technology.

Democrats have been ubstructionist long enough, it's time that we return to an era of cheap energy (and yes, we can do it all much "cleaner" now and we shall and should), and stop waiting for the miraculous spontaneous development of a fuzzy bunny superfuel fairy sunshine breeze in the bright sun.

With abundant energy, things, not just some things, but almost all things, get cleaner quicker. That includes your home, your car, the streets, the lawns and gardens, the offices, the shops, the manufacturing plants and the service centers, the public areas and private areas, in fact, the whole damn planet will become cleaner due to cheap energy. If you don't understand why and how that is, you're simply a moron.

It's time to end the era of shortages and commodity price hikes, it's time to enter the era of surplus, diversification and prosperity for all. Cheap and abundant energy is the only way to get there.

--Jason

PS - Drill here, Drill Now, Pay Less!

Update: As I wrote this earlier, Obama was giving a speech about his energy plan, as expected, it's a recipe for shortages, with the hope of fuzzy bunnies to the rescue.

Update: To keep up with the protest on the House floor, the Republican Leadership has a "sort-of" blog.

Posted by JasonColeman at 12:03 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Congressman Spencer Bachus, please return to Washington. . .

Just got off the phone with Jason (no relation) at Congressman Bachus' Birmingham office and was told that Congressman Bachus was "in the district". How unfortunate.

Jason also informed me that I was the first inquiry to the local office about Congressman Bachus' and the current GOP protest over oil drilling taking place on the House floor at this very moment.

He suggested I call the Washington office. So I shall.

--Jason (again, no relation to the Jason above)

UPDATE: DC (Davis) doesn't know. Although I must admit that he offers an excellent excuse for being away from Washington. One that, at this moment, I do not agree with. I would hope that he plans to be back in Washington as soon as possible and suggest that he put out a statement of support at least.

-jc

Posted by JasonColeman at 11:39 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

July 22, 2008

Bob Newhart vs. Obama

Every election that rolls round makes me think of Bob Newhart's "Abe Lincoln vs. Madison Ave."

The Intro -

"Thank you, thank you very much.

Many of you may have read The Hidden Persuaders, it's about avertising. . . and one of the points the book made was that the real danger of the public relations man, or the advertising man, was that they were creating images. And they felt that in the presidential campaigns, the candidates were really getting closer and closer together, there was no real difference between them, and you were really voting for the man. . . and this got me to thinking. Now supposing this science, were as far advanced during the civil war. . . as it is today. . . and there was no Lincoln. . Now the advertising people realizing this, would have had to create a Lincoln, and I think they would have gone about it. . . something like this.

This is a telephone conversation between Abe, and his press agent, just before Gettysburg."

My, how far the ad-man has come.

Posted by JasonColeman at 4:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)