A poster in downtown Baghdad

First, there was Saddam Hussein's capture. This was a tremendous turning point, Americans cheered. Then without delay we transfered power to an Iraqi governing council. Next, to knead our jingoist nature, we applauded the annihilation of Fallujah and dismantling of Mosal.

These were important turning points in the Iraqi war. We saw the tide of insurgents, terrorists, freedom fighters, criminals and dissidents turn and run from the might of American power. It was time to rejoice and thank God that we were doing his plan; preserving freedom and helping secure the region for a democratic future, as seen on many posters in downtown Baghdad.

However, reality is a sticky subject; these turning points, have brought us back full circle. Soldiers are lost, clear answers are omitted and confidence is waning. Moreover, like all good political fiction, we now find ourselves in a catastrophic Catch-22. The region is now in complete disarray and the rule of law is rhetorical refuse. Most of Iraqi's elected leaders spend their private and profession time outside of the region. And democracy is a poster in downtown Baghdad.

If we leave the region now a celebration in the Tora Bora Mountains will soon follow. If we stay more soldiers will be lost, our credibility as a leading nation will be infinitely injured and democracy will still be a poster in downtown Baghdad.

Book Review: Soft Power - J.S. Nye

In an uncertain age of political discord a clear path of successful world politics and global understanding is difficult to find. However, Joseph Nye’s Soft Power has incredible merit. In short, ‘soft power’ is a social and economic by product, shaped by many forces; including culture, technology, NGO’s (Non-Governmental Organizations) and international perceptions. This theory was explained in Nye’s seminal work Paradox of American Power. Soft Power, on the other hand, is greatly more detailed and relevant to current U.S. Geo-political standing.

The book is straightforward and well documented. Most importantly is his ability to blend real world events into a soft power paradigm without discounting hard power (military power). My only criticism of the book is the lack of empirical evidence. Nye does produce some anecdotal bar graphs concerning attitudes among foreign populations; however this does not give clear evidence of soft power or its bearing in the global arena. The lack of empirical evidence withstanding soft power is real and clearly the missing link to peace and diplomacy in the world.

Below are some memorable quotes and thought provoking statements:

“But the absence of a prevailing warrior ethic in modern democracies means that the use of force requires an elaborate moral justification to ensure popular support, unless actual survival is at stake.” 19

“Terrorism depends crucially on soft power for its ultimate victory. It depends on its ability to attract support from the crowd at least as much as its ability to destroy the enemy’s will to fight.” 22

“Politics then becomes in part a competition for attractiveness, legitimacy, and credibility. The ability to share information – and to be believed – becomes an important source of attraction and power.” 31

“In the case of soft power, the question is what messages are sent and received by whom under which circumstances, and how that affects our ability to obtain the outcomes we want.” 44

“Political values like democracy and human rights can be powerful sources of attraction, but it is not enough to just proclaim them. (…) Perceived hypocrisy is particularly corrosive of power that is based on proclaimed values.” 55

“Europeans provide 70 percent of overseas development assistance to poor countries – four times more than the United States.” 80


“In all three religions the prophet Abraham is a revered figure, and so the idea of an Abrahamic dialogue among Muslims, Christians and Jews may be an example of the ways that nongovernmental actors can exercise their soft power and create bridges of understanding.” 97

“Information that appears to be propaganda may not only be scorned but also may turn out to be counterproductive if it undermines a country’s reputation for credibility.” 107

“Democracy can not be imposed by force.” 120

Machiavellian Mercenaries

"Mercenaries and auxiliaries are useless and dangerous; and if one holds his state based on these arms, he will stand neither firm nor safe; for they are disunited, ambitious and without discipline, unfaithful, valiant before friends, cowardly before enemies; they have neither the fear of God nor fidelity to men, and destruction is deferred only so long as the attack is; for in peace one is robbed by them, and in war by the enemy. The fact is, they have no other attraction or reason for keeping the field than a trifle of stipend, which is not sufficient to make them willing to die for you." The Prince by N. Machiavelli Chapter XII How Many Kinds of Soldiery There Are and Concerning Mercenaries

Please take some time and read some of the excerpts from Amy Goodman's interview with Col. Hammes. Also read Peter Singer's "Corporate Warriors: The Rise of the Privatized Military Industry." It is quite enlightening and reopens the historical genuis of Machiavelli and his timeless political handbook for the ruthless and power hungry(The Prince). It is surprising that the Bush administration is not following this Machiavellian principle(stated in the above quote). For in the course of empire building, one must research the blunders of history and capture the experience of past philosophers. Neither of which have merit when the ruling elite are absolute in their hubris.

The New Plantations...

After several days in one of America's primer beach resorts, I have come to the conclusion that Planned Communities and Developments have created a new system of plantations. Specifically, Kiawah Island in South Carolina, Seaside Florida, Rosemary Beach Florida and Celebration Florida . I was on business at the Kiawah Island Beach Resort and found lush habitats, pristine water, immaculate golf courses and savory foods.

However, these niceties were encapsulated by white Anglo-Saxon groups pretending to be relevant. People of color, any color, were absent unless you looked between the hedgerows. There you would find Hispanic Americans, American-Africans and of course the solitary white manager. The resort was filled with absurdly wealthy individuals and the lower classes which serve their needs. During a bike ride through the resort I stopped in a quaint supply store and met two day laborers. Both were from Jamaica and felt that America was wonderful, however they both agreed that "you can get addicted to the wealth and materialism quickly". After the conversation, recognizing the importance of Mandeville in a historical context, I left feeling that these resorts have become a new plantation system.

These resorts, communities and developments have rewoven the segregation system back into acceptable Southern society. However, the rule of law is not the deciding factor in this Neo-segregation, economics takes its place. Wealth meets color once again and we relish in the fact that Seaside is surreal, Rosemary Beach has its celebrities, Celebration is a Disney fantasy and Kiawah puts segregation back in its birthplace.

Who will go down due to the Downing Street memo?

“The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” Article 2 Section 4 US Constitution


The Downing St. minutes (published first by the Sunday Times of London) will be more revealing than even Woodward and Bernstein could have conjured. These minutes will establish a clear link between manipulation of critical national security intelligence, intended to create a mosaic of half truths and plausible denials. The hearings will be aired tomorrow and if you are a citizen, please take the time to listen to the hearing. Interestingly, this will not be in the House Judiciary Committee, (ranking GOP leaders will not allow the hearing to precede) instead the hearing will be held at the Democractic National Committee.

African Lip Service ... Bush and congressional money strings

First, let me preference this comment with a historical sidebar. Presidents throughout the latter half of the twentieth century (both Democrat and GOP) have given lip service to Africa and especially Sub-Sahara Africa. However, Africa has become a political hot button issue in the past 6 years with the devastation of the AIDS pandemic. Also this disease has been buttressed with economic and political strife, notably “election democracies” – Zimbabwe being a case in point.

Africa has moved to a complete state of crisis. This administration uses Africa as an annual talking point. It creates news worthy sound bites which form an illusion of sincerity. It sounds wonderful that aid is “promised” to Africa and large numbers are thrown around, in an effort to console the domestic masses. Yet, this lip service is adding to the torment of millions in Africa and translates into a real integrity dilemma for the US.

Africans hear the news of billions and only find their problems multiplying. Congress can be blamed for their lack of continuity and fortitude over needed legislation for Africa, but remember these representatives are concerned with self preservation first and philanthropy second. So Bush’s shrewd political power play will ultimately backfire. More Africa governments will stem funds from their own coffers, thinking that the US can fill in the void, however funds will never arrive and Africa will become the first true continental holocaust since the black plague of the 1300’s.

G8 Relief... who benefits?

Do not be surprised if this economic altruism is a front for
structural reforms such as privatization (water), labor union
restrictions and easy access for international business interests in
each of the 18 countries. Please investigate the actual document which
was signed by the G8, ironically none of the countries involved were
asked or required to sign this international binding pact. Relief
without restrictions would be more humanistic and help reestablish
some Soft Power in the region. (See Nye for a description of Soft
Power)

remember there is no such thing as a free lunch

News is news unless it's news...

Many bloggers and political pundits (misnomer) have access to numerous
news sources some of which are valid. (Such uncensored and non-vested
news from eye witnesses) However, most news is filtered through a
business prism. This can be viewed as beneficial or detrimental to the
course of a nascent democracy such as our own, but I will use
corporate media as a basic outline (because of its sheer abundance)
and news from non-corporate and foreign sources for facts.

First steps in a Hobbesian World

After careful deliberation and consultation of numerous third party entities I have come to the conclusion that it is now time to blog with the best and relate to the rest.