The Surge befor the Surge?

MOGADISHU, Somali (AP) — Helicopter gunships attacked suspected al-Qaeda fighters in the south, a day after U.S. forces staged airstrikes in the first offensive in the African country since 18 American soldiers were killed there in 1993, witnesses said. 

Arnold's Primary Plan

I quietly stumbled across this little bit of potentially significant news last night.

“California's GOP governor, sworn in last week for a second term, still plans on influencing the 2008 election. Schwarzenegger says he'd like to move the California primary from June—when both parties have all but picked their nominees—to a much earlier date, in February.”

I don’t doubt that this will happen. My only question here is why hasn’t California pushed for this sooner?

“The governor hopes the change will encourage candidates to spend more time talking to voters in the nation's most populous state… Moving up the primary certainly increases California's visibility among candidates—and puts the Golden State's environmental concerns on the agenda.”

This is precisely what will happen. Having California move its primary means that Californian values and politics will enjoy a much greater degree of influence in shaping the national debate. This is potentially a very big deal.

“Adding liberal California to the early mix would probably affect the nominating process by favoring big-money, big-name candidates such as Hillary Clinton and John McCain.”

Perhaps, but more importantly, if would help favor more progressive politics and that certainly isn’t Hillary or John. However, no matter the front runner, they would presumably have to change their national strategy, thus most candidates would move to the left.  I'll be following this one closely.
 

American Schizo

Ian Welsh is the managing editor of one of my favorite American political and foreign affairs web journals. He never minces words to say the least. If you detect a hint of "anti-Americanism" I'd say you're off base. This Canadian is one of the most truly patriotic voices in American politics. I find his arguments if on the one hand passionate, on the other sensible, articulate, and thoughtful. I perhaps could have chosen something a bit more leveled to introduce Ian but hey, if you don't at least appreciate this piece, you won't really appreciate much else he writes. Ian says what many other American writers wish they could.  But do give him a read and visit the Agonist. Its part of my daily reading for news gathering and fresh political/social commentary.

America is damn near the most opaque nation in the world. I can predict what will happen in Africa, in Canada, in most Asian countries, far better than I can in the US, despite having grown up immersed in American culture.

Democrats Take Control of Congress

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 -- Jubilant Democrats took the gavels in the Senate and House today for the first time in 12 years, pledging a new era in Congress and a new effort at bipartisan progress.

A historic day in the US Congress. The Republicans took over control of Congress in 1994 headed by Newt Gingrich and armed with the Contract with America. Now, after 12 years, the Democratic Party are once again in charge of the legaslative branch of the United States' government.

UPCOMMING EVENT

EAAS 2008 CONFERENCE THEME:

"E Pluribus Unum" or "E Pluribus Plura"?

Oslo, Norway, 9–12 May 2008

Could it be that there are indeed several “Americas”? Is being an American necessarily being in many ways double? Can the politically unifying, centripetal power of the State, hidden under the neutral Unum, accommodate the centrifugal forces that might generate a societal and cultural “plura” out of the hallowed political and territorial “pluribus”?

Deadlines:

January 31, 2007: Deadline for submission of proposals and one-page abstracts for parallel lectures and workshop sessions, to include a 1/2 page c.v. of workshop chairs and individual lecturers.

Protecting Internet Democracy

This article in the NY Times does a great job of explaining the legal issue of Net Neutrality. Have a look here for more information about the legal and political battle taking place.

One of the big winners in the last election may turn out to be the principle, known as net neutrality, that Internet service providers should not be able to favor some content over others. Democrats who are moving into the majority in Congress — led by Ron Wyden in the Senate and Edward Markey in the House — say they plan to fight hard to pass a net neutrality bill, and we hope that they do. It is vital to preserve the Internet’s role in promoting entrepreneurship and free expression.

Could this be the end of the Monroe Doctrine?

"hopes are set on a contract under which Hutchison Ports, a Hong Kong company, will invest some $500m to expand the city's deep-water port. The plan is to increase its capacity to 1.6m TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units, the standard measure of container traffic) over the next decade or so, according to Paul Gallie, Hutchison's boss in Ecuador."