Author Archena Posted on January 6, 2023January 3, 2023Categories FridayTags , ,

Enlightened Self Interest – It’s About US, Isn’t It?

The US doesn’t get to sit out much. If you ask the Ukrainians defending their homeland the war is most definitely NOT about the United States. They’re absolutely right, except for the part where it kinda is. Not because we’re sending them support – who isn’t? Not because we are providing intelligence – ours is cooler because satellites but intelligence is a big tent. Not because we’re the US of A and rah, rah, rah – even we have some … Continue reading “Enlightened Self Interest – It’s About US, Isn’t It?”

Author Archena Posted on January 4, 2023January 3, 2023Categories WednesdayTags , , ,

It’s About Our Future

America is the most consarned, ornery thickheaded mule of a nation-state ever when it gets that isolationistic bee in its bonnet. Dumbest question I hear conservatives ask is ‘why do WE have to be the world’s policeman’? Simple, it’s us or something MUCH worse. I’d be amazed if we could convince Europe to take the job, let alone pony up for the necessary military costs. However, do we really want the folks that brought us not one but two world … Continue reading “It’s About Our Future”

Author Archena Posted on January 3, 2023January 3, 2023Categories MondayTags , , ,

It’s About the Future

Communism and socialism were both born in the latter part of the Nineteenth Century. I’m aware that the concepts of communal ownership and related practices do predate the Industrial Revolution but as political and economic movements, both are born in the later Industrial Revolution. The distinguishing of property into classes which could or could not be privately owned is a modern invention. You get to own your bed but not the land that the house sits on – modernity is … Continue reading “It’s About the Future”

Author Archena Posted on December 28, 2022December 26, 2022Categories WednesdayTags , , , , , ,

It Ain’t About Putin

Before you ask, yes, this has to do with American politics and yes, it’s Wednesday. I’m not suggesting for an instant that Putin didn’t order the invasion – of course he did. Russia would have lost a LOT more generals and not in Ukraine had they invaded so much as a Mickey D’s without Putin’s say-so. What I am going to tell you is that events have gotten well away from Putin’s control. From the point of view of his … Continue reading “It Ain’t About Putin”

Author Archena Posted on December 26, 2022December 26, 2022Categories Current, MondayTags , , , , , , ,

It Ain’t About Biden

I know, I know. Monday is foreign relations day. I’m getting there, you’ll see. There are a lot of conservatives that are not happy about the US’ support of Ukraine. This is not because they support Putin or that they wish ill towards the Ukrainian people. In my opinion, it’s largely related to the corruption links between Hunter Biden and Ukraine. Ukraine is not an innocent baby nor is it a little devil. Ukraine has a major problem with corruption, … Continue reading “It Ain’t About Biden”

Author Archena Posted on December 23, 2022December 22, 2022Categories Current, FridayTags , , , , , , ,

It Ain’t About NATO

I know, normally I talk American politics on Friday. Well, that’s what I’m doing. Hang on, you’ll see – but first I need to kill off the stupid elephant in the room. To the best of my knowledge the ‘NATO expansion problem’ theory originates with Mearsheimer . I’ve heard him give one talk about it. It seemed a well reasoned position and he argued it compellingly. Before the invasion, it made a great deal of sense. It just happens to … Continue reading “It Ain’t About NATO”

Author Archena Posted on December 21, 2022December 21, 2022Categories Current, WednesdayTags , , , , , , , ,

Why Governmental Politics Matters

Okay, for those of you who are wondering, yes, there are types of politics that don’t involve government. All politics really is is the process of groups of people making decisions. So when you and your friends spend ten minutes deciding between Italian and Chinese, you’ve participated in a political process. But what those idiots in Washington do, that’s different, right? Nah, more power and a lot more rubber chicken, but not really any different at its core. There’s the … Continue reading “Why Governmental Politics Matters”

Author Archena Posted on December 18, 2022December 18, 2022Categories FridayTags , , , , , , , , ,

Seniority in Congress is a Major Problem

Every time Congress commits some new outrage, I mean bigger than their average weekly outrages, the cry goes out far and wide for term limits. This has been going on unsuccessfully for decades. Such movements come and go and rarely gain any momentum. Why? Well, there are a variety of answers. The most common is the incumbent advantage: people tend to stick with a known quantity and so will vote for even a bad incumbent over a total unknown. Incumbents … Continue reading “Seniority in Congress is a Major Problem”

Author Archena Posted on December 15, 2022December 15, 2022Categories WednesdayTags , , , ,

American Christmas

Oh, come on! You’re not gonna talk about politics at CHRISTMAS?!?!?! Are you trying to ruin it for everyone? Is a discussion of your grandma’s bunions somehow an improvement? Just how many recipes for lemon bars does your cousin have? I can already tell you which team will win whatever game – it’s the one that gets the most points. You’ve already discussed the entire season with your entire family just making the arrangements for who was bringing what and … Continue reading “American Christmas”

Author Archena Posted on December 13, 2022December 13, 2022Categories MondayTags , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Why Foreign Affairs Matter to the US

First, let’s get something straight – the sky ain’t falling. No generation has a crystal ball. They all have to look whatever disaster comes their way square in the eye and decide how to handle it. This current ‘upheaval’ is no different. The one constant in the political world is change – usually messy, quiet change until it becomes a big, nasty problem. My favorite cartoon as a kid was a seriously stupid one season wonder called The Drak Pack. … Continue reading “Why Foreign Affairs Matter to the US”