6 Responses to “Radio Nation Podcast”

1. Jim Rockford Says:
   June 30th, 2005 at 11:52 pm

   Somewhat vaguely on-topic Marc, what do you think of the Kelo decision and it’s impact on both the court battle for Rehnquist’s successor and politics here with Feinstein and Schwarzennegger?

   My thinking is a Scalia type might be a lot more acceptable if he explicitly says, “no, governments don’t have the right to seize your home and give it to a private developer.” I also think that either Schwarzenegger or a Republican Challenger to Feinstein can use this issue to hammer Dems into the ground.

   Bizarrely (or not) Pelosi went on record saying she felt the decision was, in her words, as if God had spoken and unchallengable, and opposed acts of Congress witholding funds from state and local entities confiscating housing for private development.

   I think it boils down to Prop 13 Part Two; Dems endorsing basically Government taking your house away for a rich person’s private development, and their opponents saying no. If a Republican Strategist is smart he can play this up good; Dems seem (again) flat footed on the obvious populist move (which also IMHO is the right one).

   Glad to hear anyone’s thoughts on this.

2. richard lo cicero Says:
   July 1st, 2005 at 4:58 am

   The GOP could Jim except for one little problem: There is bi-partisan outrage over this and any legislation will pass overwhelmingly. Nice try though, next year will be hell for Republicans.

3. Jim Rockford Says:
   July 1st, 2005 at 1:14 pm

   Richard — House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi straight out opposed any legislation to fix Kelo. So that’s a problem.

   Either repudiate Pelosi and other Dem leaders (generally in favor of the unlimited power of Governments, particularly Dem-led Cities) or face the populist anger. Dems have a long history of hostility to the middle class.

4. NetOx Says:
   July 2nd, 2005 at 1:17 am

   The Kelo decision was an unbelievable trashing of the Fifth Amendment and blatantly attests to the requirement for a strict constructionist judge.

   Who would want a judge who believe that the constitution is a living document (code word for I will make up anything that I want). That may feel good for a while until the wind/judges change and we find that the decision does not stand the test of time.

   Alexander Hamilton writes on the subject of constitutional interpretation, “There is not a syllable in the Constitution which directly empowers the national courts to construe the laws according to the spirit of the Constitution.”

   Frankly, I am hoping for a Nuclear summer.

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2 Responses to “Radio Nation Podcast”

1. Virgil Johnson Says:
   June 7th, 2005 at 8:20 pm

   Marc,

   This is a great platform to hear more of your work, a good step forward. Although, I will still listen to you in the car every Friday via KPFK - it is still good to have this just in case I miss the broadcast.

2. richard lo cicero Says:
   June 7th, 2005 at 11:43 pm

   Here is an interesting note on MYDD. If you add up the audience for CNN, FOX and MSNBC in the coveted 25-55 demographic the totals are now less than the visits to political blog sites. In other words more people in the 24-66 group get their news from the internet than from the cable news outlets. Makes you think, eh?

   Sadder note: RIP Anne Bancroft.

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13 Responses to “Radio Nation Podcast”

1. richard lo cicero Says:
   May 25th, 2005 at 5:52 am

   For Marc who wants the “Left” to come up with a solution to the Iraq mess I commend today’s posting by Prof. Juan Cole at INFORMED COMMENT. I won’t repeat his argument here but he believes that due to a shortage of troops, an administration that has raised incompetence to a new level, and a world unwilling to commit troops to the “meatgrinder”, there is no short term solution but a slog that could last 15 years or longer. In the end the Sunni rebellion might follow the path of the Lebansese Marionites and seek compromise - assuming, he says, that there is still an Iraq to compromise over, Oh, those Leftists! Just natering nabobs of negativism! How much better to be Hentof or Hitchens who, unincumbered with the facts, just know it will work out if we stay the course, GOOD GRIEF!

2. Marc Cooper Says:
   May 25th, 2005 at 8:40 am

   What is your misbegooten point Richard? Juan Cole who you quote is saying exactly what I said… i.e. that the current course doesnt work and that likewise U.S. withdrawal wont work. That puts in a ugly little box from which no one, including you, knows how to get out. Your criticism of me seems to come down to anger that I suggest the Left ought to think about some creative way to deal with this conundrum. If you prfer we not think about it and limit ourselves to strictly blaming Geo Bush and Christopher Hitchens, I suppose that is your right… but it doesnt accomplish very much. For those who want to think about it I will go ahead and reproduce below a couple of the salient grafs from Juan Cole’s latest posting. I see no way it differs from the arguments I made last week:

   “Readers occasionally write me complaining that I do not offer any solutions to the problems in Iraq. Let me just step back from the daily train wreck news from the region to complain back that there aren’t any short-term, easy solutions to the problems in Iraq.

   If the US drew down its troop strength in Iraq too rapidly, the guerrillas would simply kill the new political class and stabilizing figures such as Grand Ayatollah Sistani. Although US forces have arguably done more harm than good in many Sunni Arab areas, they have prevented set-piece battles from being staged by ethnic militias, and they have prevented a number of attempted assassinations.

   Therefore, I conclude that the United States is stuck in Iraq for the medium term, and perhaps for the long term.

   The guerrilla war is likely to go on a decade to 15 years. Given the basic facts, of capable, trained and numerous guerrillas, public support for them from Sunnis, access to funding and munitions, increasing civil turmoil, and a relatively small and culturally poorly equipped US military force opposing them, led by a poorly informed and strategically clueless commander-in-chief who has made himself internationally unpopular, there is no near-term solution.”

3. Rich Says:
   May 25th, 2005 at 9:52 am

   Sorry for being a bit OT (though it is Iraq-related!), but I have to pass on this dark-humored Memorial Day link from The Onion that gave me a giggle/guffaw this morning…

   http://www.theonion.com/infograph/index.php?issue=4121

4. George Thomas Clark Says:
   May 25th, 2005 at 4:04 pm

   “Therefore, I conclude that the United States is stuck in Iraq for the medium term, and perhaps for the long term.

   “The guerrilla war is likely to go on a decade to 15 years. Given the basic facts, of capable, trained and numerous guerrillas, public support for them from Sunnis, access to funding and munitions, increasing civil turmoil, and a relatively small and culturally poorly equipped US military force opposing them, led by a poorly informed and strategically clueless commander-in-chief who has made himself internationally unpopular, there is no near-term solution.”

   The statement above is a strong - a series of strong - reasons why the United States must tell the Iraqis they will have to be responsible for their security far sooner than in 10 to 15 years, or the vague (and therefore ominous) intermediate term.

   A brief review is helpful. Since the spring of 2003, the United States has killed tens of thousands of Iraqis, lost almost two thousand soldiers and others, suffered and inflicted countless more severe wounds, spent billions of dollars, has transformed Iraq into a cauldron of terrorism, and temporarily squandered much international prestige. How much longer should this horrific process continue? Less than a year. That’s right. If the Iraqi government cannot then sustain itself - after receiving so much military, financial, and political aid - then it is a government lacking the fundamental support of its people.

   Why are the insurgents considered so almighty? Their future efficacy is certainly not assured. They’re offering little except reactionary precepts and a long line of young men willing to blow themselves up. Surely, their overall power is less than that of the current Iraqi leaders, who will always be anxious to have their existence assured by a U.S. occupation force that, by its presence, as well as its operations, will ensure eternal recruitment of new enemies and martyrs.

   I’m not advocating that the United States throw democratic Iraqis into the reactionary hole where insurgents dwell; but I am saying the already-much-aided Iraqi government will sooner be able to protect itself when it is in fact required to do so.

5. richard lo cicero Says:
   May 25th, 2005 at 4:47 pm

   Marc the point is simple. Ptofrssor Cole, who actually knows something about the region and reads the Arabic and Farsi sources, sees no quick solution. He sees a 15 year slog leading to a compromis ala Lebanon (or El Salvador to make it easier for you to comprehend) as the best option in a bad lot. Now Marc, do you really believe that the US public will put up for another FOUR YEARS of this let alone what Pro. Cole is suggesting? Long before that the Army will disintigrate and only a draft will sustain it. And I don’t see any congress committing suicide voting for that. Vietnam ended when draft levels or a reserve call-up would have swamped the middle class. LBJ knew it was over, Nixon found “Vietnamization” and the “Decent Interval” with the volunteer Army thrown in to placate the students. Even these clowns will understand that. And so a timetable, phased withdrawal - the “modified Out Now” I discussed in another thread - will take place and when Iraq goes to hell, well too bad. But don’t blame the Left for not having a plan. We didn’t cause it and we are not responsible for the consequences. That is the responsibilty of those who advocated this mess and they must take the blame - that is how politics is supposed to work.

6. Marc Cooper Says:
   May 25th, 2005 at 11:54 pm

   Im happy for you that the point is so simple. It is indeed quite simple if you figure (like Bush does) that in the end you have no responsibilities in regard to the Iraqi people.

   Pull out the troops, let the set battles begin as Dr. Cole suggests, allow the Baath-nazis to bring down the curtain of nights, and as you gingerly step over the cadavers on the way out keep repeating “Sorry, it was Bush’s fault.”

   You seem to care only for a political explanation of matters. Excellent. But it says nothing about the real lives of real people.

   Im not going to fight with you over Cole’s words. But what he says is clear: we are damned if we stay the course. We are damned if we pull out the troops. He’s right. You want to stop there? Fine. I, on the other hand, prefer to at least entertain some alternatives. Your notion that the “left” need not concern itself with problems created by the right defies all sensible thought.

   Health care crisis? Oh that Bush’s fault. Let him fix it. And so on.

   This is precisly why the Democrats are sliding down the pooper. Lewis Black has said it best: The Republicans are the party of bad ideas. The Democrats are the party of no ideas.

7. richard lo cicero Says:
   May 26th, 2005 at 7:30 am

   So its a shame that Iraq will go down in flames? Sure but you what? Life is unfair! I’m sorry that politics offends your high moral sensibilities but that is the way it is. Do you propose a draft to keep a constabulary force in play while we rebuild the country? Do you propose billions in aid PLUS the taxes to pay for it? Ask your buddy Antonio what he would spend the money on.

   By all means let the Democrats come up with a health care plan. And let them hit the GOP over the head for not having one. Don’t confuse a party platform with proposals for an attempt to fix the unfixable. By the way, in 1967 were you saying we had to stay the course or were you an “out now” guy - with no solutions?

8. Marc Cooper Says:
   May 26th, 2005 at 11:01 pm

   RLC:

   I opposed the war in Vietnam and — I might say– took enormous personal risks in doing so (as did a number of my friends) so with all due respect we require no lectures on this matter from Gen Xers (Or is it Y-ers?). I was for withdrawal of American troops immediately from Vietnam because I knew that what would come in its wake, while imperfect, would be better for the Vietnamese than not.

   In Iraq, I dont believe that for a second. Neither does Juan Cole. That’s why he argues, and I argue, that calling for withdrawal aint gonna cut it.

   I have no high moral sensibilities, only practical concerns. I will make sure to pass along to the Iraqis ur comment of “what a shame but too bad.” You do know, don’t you, that this is the same position that Pat Buchanan has.

9. reg Says:
   May 27th, 2005 at 6:29 am

   “You do know, don’t you, that this is the same position that Pat Buchanan has.”

   Not really true…but so-the-fuck-what???? Buchanan’s been consistently as close to right as anyone on this war. But he’s not an “Out Now!” advocate…not even close. I also think it’s unfair to state baldly that GW Bush believes he “has no responibilities to the Iraqi people”. I hate Bush…can’t stand the sight of the little fucker…think he’s a moral weakling and a mental wimp…but I don’t believe that for a minute. As for the Democrats being “the party of no ideas”, it’s a good punch line, but I wouldn’t use it when I’m not putting forward any ideas myself…just asking that somebody else, and in this case somebody else who doesn’t much matter (”the left”), step forward with ideas because…well, I guess because you really don’t have anything concrete to offer yourself.

   I don’t get the point of all this…other than your ritual Dem-bashing and left-bashing…a habit which leaves you with little practical political space other than that occupied by…well…I guess that would be George W. Bush or - god forbid - Pat Buchanan. Sorry, Marc, but John McCain and Arnold Schwarznegger aren’t offering “A Third Way”, despite your high hopes.

10. richard lo cicero Says:
    May 27th, 2005 at 7:17 am

    I was aware of your anti-Vietnam war credentials Marc, that was a rhetorical question. I’m also aware that many at the time said we couldn’t leave or a lot of people would suffer. WELL THEY DID! Tens of thousands were sent to re-education camps in Vietnam and many “boat people” died trying to escape. Those that did ended up in squalid education camps or had to make a brand new life in a strange land called America. And as for Cambodia? 1.5 Million dead at least. So do you still think “out now” was right? Of course you do - because for all the misery it would have been far worse if we had stayed; in fact we would still be there I bet as no viable GVN existed or could exist unless we took the place over as a colony and remade the whole place and spent billions and even that might not have worked. That is what we are facing in Iraq and it is common sense to realize that we are getting out sooner rather later.

11. richard lo cicero Says:
    May 27th, 2005 at 7:22 am

    One more thing. I’m a 58 year old Vietnam Veteran which is why I find your position hard to swallow. I’ve got a pretty good idea of what those guys are going thru except when I was in-country we could travel the roads in UNARMORED jeeps so things sound worse in Baghdad.

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