Monthly Archives: December 2008

The Sadness of The Left, etc.

Posted on December 7, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

I remember that someone said in these pages after the election that "The Left" would be disappointed in Barack Obama as president.  David Corn is disappointed.  He is certainly of "the left."  In person, he projects a tough, brittle, wise … Continue reading →

Posted in government, Policy, Politics | 38 Comments

Scenarios

Posted on December 6, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

We have been discussing the possible future course of American and world economic affairs.  Let us expand this discussion to include the political effect that various economic "futures" might have on the development of history in the next decades.  pl … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs | 22 Comments

Is the price of oil a tolling bell?

Posted on December 5, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

The price per barrel is now approaching $42.  We should consider the implications.  If the price of crude continues to fall, then at some point there will be widespread shut-downs of production and exploration. OPEC will meet soon to seek … Continue reading →

Posted in Oil | 37 Comments

Two papers from Dr. Adam Silverman

Posted on December 4, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

I was lucky enough to have Dr. Silverman in a class I taught a while back.  He has returned the favor by today sending me two short papers on The recent WMD report and the Mumbai attacks.  The picture to … Continue reading →

Posted in The Military Art | 12 Comments

Aaargh! Avast! It’s the Pirates Again!

Posted on December 3, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

Pirates?  Somali pirates?  Are there no more navies in the world?  What are all those big grey boats for?  I remember the pirate thing.  It was at the "Admiral Benbow" that Long John Silver (the other one), Squire Trelawny, Dr. … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs | 51 Comments

McCaffery Agonistes

Posted on December 2, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

At the risk of being accused of complaining about a system that did not promote me past colonel, I will say the following: the system of promotion in the military trains these men to be self serving.  Why are people … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 18 Comments

Life is not a campaign…

Posted on December 2, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

Contrary to the opinion of Christopher Matthews, life is not a campaign.  In democratically organized polities there are processes called elections in which candidates seek to persuade electors to vote for them.  In the course of doing that, they also … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 17 Comments

“If only the intelligence…” GW Bush

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

George W. Bush gave Charles Gibson an interview recently in which he said that among his regrets was that "the intelligence had not been better on WMD in Iraq." Blaming the intelligence people is a standard ploy of failed politicians … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs | 37 Comments

Calm Down Over Mumbai, please.

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Michael Chevalier

"Top Indian officials have suggested that groups based in Pakistan had some involvement in the attacks, but the officials have not explicitly blamed the Pakistani government. The options on the table for responding, officials and analysts said, range from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs | 16 Comments