The news is about a week and a half old (or maybe older...which shows you how well I'm paying attention) by now, but the senior Senator from Ohio is not seeking reelection in 2010.
Why? Officially because Voinovich doesn't want reelection to distract him from his work in the next two years. And also so he can spend more time with his family. I mean, the guy has spent the last 40-odd years in public service. He's been the Governor, the mayor of Cleveland, and two rounds as a US Senator. You could say that's a good enough to retire on.
Another school of thought is that the political tide is changing, and a man who spent so much of the last 8 years as a firm Bush supporter has quite an uphill struggle. I mean, there's no way in hell I'd put my vote behind Voinovich. And since Ohio actually went blue this past Presidential election, I don't think I'm alone.
Of course, I'm not much more fond of Rob Portman...but that's another discussion for another day.
This is what the Statehouse News Bureau had to say about successors, from the 12th of January...have we heard anything since then?
Tuesday
The Miracle of Inauguration Day!
Today we swear in a new President of the United States. That's a big deal.
I don't mean it's a big in the the "Oh thank GOODNESS that bad man is out of the White House!" either. Getting a new head of state is a big deal, all on it's own. Regardless of how the last one was.
It's a big deal because it'll happen without civil war.
The fact that we in the United States get a new chief of state peacefully, through a series of rules and elections...is a miracle I don't think we ponder enough. We take it for granted. In the vast majority of the world, the idea of a sitting ruler just packing up and moving out of the Presidential Palace would be a joke.
Think of all the news stories you hear about dictators holding elections, being voted out of office...and staying in power. We don't have that here.
Think of all the times an opposition party loses an election, and then starts a civil war. We don't have that either.
It's one of the key elements that makes America great. Even when democracy is broken (think the 2000 Presidential election), we turn to the rule of law and then follow it. A judge, not a general, decided that Bush won the 2000 election. A ruling based on law was the deciding factor, not the level of firepower or brutality.
So amid all the hoopla today, take a few moments to think about how truly incredible it is that for the past 200+ years, Presidents have been letting go of their power without so much as a dirty look at their successor.
It really is a miracle.
I don't mean it's a big in the the "Oh thank GOODNESS that bad man is out of the White House!" either. Getting a new head of state is a big deal, all on it's own. Regardless of how the last one was.
It's a big deal because it'll happen without civil war.
The fact that we in the United States get a new chief of state peacefully, through a series of rules and elections...is a miracle I don't think we ponder enough. We take it for granted. In the vast majority of the world, the idea of a sitting ruler just packing up and moving out of the Presidential Palace would be a joke.
Think of all the news stories you hear about dictators holding elections, being voted out of office...and staying in power. We don't have that here.
Think of all the times an opposition party loses an election, and then starts a civil war. We don't have that either.
It's one of the key elements that makes America great. Even when democracy is broken (think the 2000 Presidential election), we turn to the rule of law and then follow it. A judge, not a general, decided that Bush won the 2000 election. A ruling based on law was the deciding factor, not the level of firepower or brutality.
So amid all the hoopla today, take a few moments to think about how truly incredible it is that for the past 200+ years, Presidents have been letting go of their power without so much as a dirty look at their successor.
It really is a miracle.
Thursday
Your Take: Middle East Recap
***EDIT 1/18/09: I goofed, and forgot to make time to compile everyone's answers...sorry if you were watching for them or commented on the empty post!***
Here's what everyone had to say about the latest outbreak of Israel-Palestinian violence:
Teresa left a comment:
"I do not think this will end. People, including myself, can pray, hope, wish nations such as Israel cut this horrible blood bath. I do not have a solution for this. My mind is way too simple and not military trained...I am somewhat good at problem solving but this is beyond a problem. These are women and children who have been slaughtered. It has gone past making me feel angry. I am almost in shock (even though I really shouldn't be)."
David(DMac) also clicked the link:
"How does one negotiate with people who don't bargain in good faith? Who kill "innocent" men, women, and children? Who keep upgrading their ability to kill? Oh, and all of those apply to both sides of the discussion.
"Great tragedy occurs when Right meets Right", John Stoessinger.
It is awfully hard to discriminate when terrorist/freedom fighters are hiding among children, in mosques, and in universities. It is particularly hard when using big bombs..."
Jeannine commented on the recap post:
"I don't think it is lack of interest in the topic as much as what is there to say. This who mess over there makes no sense, yes the sides both have a right to what is theirs but neither is really interested in compromise. Neither wants peace only dominance. I think it is hard for most people to stop their own daily preoccupations and even try to address such craziness but the sad truth is the only way for it to stop is to draw attention to the craziness and the hypocracy in an effort to awaken everyone higher ablities to deal with the issue."
Veronica chimed on the same post:
"I'm wondering why we're supporting Israel. They have done so much killing and we seem to keep backing them for reasons that maybe I'm not aware of, but it doesn't make any sense to me ..."
Jameel comes to us via Facebook:
"If in regards to Israel we seem to be pausing, then Israel, Gaza, Hamas, etc. etc. are sure as hell rewinding on 12x. Or playing. Or fast forwarding. If you get the metaphor."
Thanks for all the comments, folks, and taking the time to ponder a problem bigger than any of us (or maybe all of us).
Here's what everyone had to say about the latest outbreak of Israel-Palestinian violence:
Teresa left a comment:
"I do not think this will end. People, including myself, can pray, hope, wish nations such as Israel cut this horrible blood bath. I do not have a solution for this. My mind is way too simple and not military trained...I am somewhat good at problem solving but this is beyond a problem. These are women and children who have been slaughtered. It has gone past making me feel angry. I am almost in shock (even though I really shouldn't be)."
David(DMac) also clicked the link:
"How does one negotiate with people who don't bargain in good faith? Who kill "innocent" men, women, and children? Who keep upgrading their ability to kill? Oh, and all of those apply to both sides of the discussion.
"Great tragedy occurs when Right meets Right", John Stoessinger.
It is awfully hard to discriminate when terrorist/freedom fighters are hiding among children, in mosques, and in universities. It is particularly hard when using big bombs..."
Jeannine commented on the recap post:
"I don't think it is lack of interest in the topic as much as what is there to say. This who mess over there makes no sense, yes the sides both have a right to what is theirs but neither is really interested in compromise. Neither wants peace only dominance. I think it is hard for most people to stop their own daily preoccupations and even try to address such craziness but the sad truth is the only way for it to stop is to draw attention to the craziness and the hypocracy in an effort to awaken everyone higher ablities to deal with the issue."
Veronica chimed on the same post:
"I'm wondering why we're supporting Israel. They have done so much killing and we seem to keep backing them for reasons that maybe I'm not aware of, but it doesn't make any sense to me ..."
Jameel comes to us via Facebook:
"If in regards to Israel we seem to be pausing, then Israel, Gaza, Hamas, etc. etc. are sure as hell rewinding on 12x. Or playing. Or fast forwarding. If you get the metaphor."
Thanks for all the comments, folks, and taking the time to ponder a problem bigger than any of us (or maybe all of us).
Tuesday
No News Today?
I feel like something of a failure...since I can't find anything to really write about today. Aside from the Israelis, it seems like the entire world is just...pausing. There's news, of course. An Indonesian ferry sank, killing many. That coal ash spill in Tennessee really messed up a river that had been recovering. Prince Harry used a racial slur three years ago to talk about a fellow Sandhurst cadet. And natural gas may finally start flowing back into Europe, now that Ukraine has allowed EU monitors into the pumping stations.
And of course, as I mentioned, there's always Gaza.
But that's all I have, really. Nothing jumped out at me and said, "This is crazy-important! People are going to be DIRECTLY EFFECTED by what's going on here!" The world is...calm?
It's a false calm. In Ohio, the economic outlook isn't any better. And we have a group of freshmen legislatures who are tackling it. Could be good, could be bad.
Obama hasn't even been sworn in yet. 9 days to go (as of this writing), and then you just know something is going to hit the fan, just because it's a new President. And it'll be a nice juicy something because it's Obama. That crisis is brewing, as we speak. We just don't know about it yet.
Not much to do about it today though, except keep an eye on the newspage and an ear to the radio...try and stay a touch ahead of the curve. You folks have a great week, and I'll see you again for the "Your Take" recap on Thursday.
And of course, as I mentioned, there's always Gaza.
But that's all I have, really. Nothing jumped out at me and said, "This is crazy-important! People are going to be DIRECTLY EFFECTED by what's going on here!" The world is...calm?
It's a false calm. In Ohio, the economic outlook isn't any better. And we have a group of freshmen legislatures who are tackling it. Could be good, could be bad.
Obama hasn't even been sworn in yet. 9 days to go (as of this writing), and then you just know something is going to hit the fan, just because it's a new President. And it'll be a nice juicy something because it's Obama. That crisis is brewing, as we speak. We just don't know about it yet.
Not much to do about it today though, except keep an eye on the newspage and an ear to the radio...try and stay a touch ahead of the curve. You folks have a great week, and I'll see you again for the "Your Take" recap on Thursday.
Thursday
Your Take: Middle East
So you read my take on the whole Middle Eastern drama. Essentially, I think it's time to stop Israel from committing war crimes whenever they feel threatened, and then put peace keepers on the ground.
Ah, if only it was that simple...
What's your solution to the crisis? Do you have one? Do you even care? When you hear about the latest about Israel and Gaza on the news, what do you feel about it?
Remember these are just prompts to get you thinking...go where you will in your response.
Leave me your thoughts via the comments or the e-mail option, and I'll post a recap this time next week. Thanks for the participation!
Ah, if only it was that simple...
What's your solution to the crisis? Do you have one? Do you even care? When you hear about the latest about Israel and Gaza on the news, what do you feel about it?
Remember these are just prompts to get you thinking...go where you will in your response.
Leave me your thoughts via the comments or the e-mail option, and I'll post a recap this time next week. Thanks for the participation!
Tuesday
My Take: Israel, Palestine, and the Never Ending Story
I don't know about you, but I really, really liked the "Never Ending Story." I was at the perfect age for a sort of fantastic tale that involved getting sucked into books, fighting evil monsters, and that had a touch of sexuality that appealed to my nearly-pubescent self.
The never ending story in the Middle East is...well, nothing at all like that. No redeeming qualities.
In the face of continuing rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, Israel began a bombing campaign. It didn't stop the rocket attacks (as we all knew it wouldn't). It did, however, kill hundreds of people. Only some of them could be called terrorists. The targeting isn't quite as discriminatory as one would wish...I heard one NPR report state the Arab University received a good beating from the Israeli airforce.
This hasn't stopped the rockets in the past. How many times have Israeli tanks and planes attack Gaza? And...still, the rockets fly? Does anyone in the Knesset really think this latest offensive will do more than stir the pot?
The only way to stop the attacks from Gaza extremists is to make their message irrelevant. By giving the Palestinians an alternative to violence. As long as Israel kills, maims, starves, and freezes the population of Gaza, the militants are relevant. Their message is the truth. Israel proves with each air strike, with each ground incursion, the worst propaganda Hamas can tell the people.
How can the average Palestinian believe in a peace process when the Israelis behave like this? How can they possibly be expected to make friends with the people who do this?
Maybe it's because I grew up with three sisters, but I learned that when someone is fighting with you, you don't win just by fighting back harder. You just make the situation worse. Israel may fool itself into thinking that each tank, each missile, each platoon they use in Gaza will make them safer.
In reality, they're just sowing the seeds for another generation of brutal, inhuman conflict.
The never ending story in the Middle East is...well, nothing at all like that. No redeeming qualities.
In the face of continuing rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, Israel began a bombing campaign. It didn't stop the rocket attacks (as we all knew it wouldn't). It did, however, kill hundreds of people. Only some of them could be called terrorists. The targeting isn't quite as discriminatory as one would wish...I heard one NPR report state the Arab University received a good beating from the Israeli airforce.
This hasn't stopped the rockets in the past. How many times have Israeli tanks and planes attack Gaza? And...still, the rockets fly? Does anyone in the Knesset really think this latest offensive will do more than stir the pot?
The only way to stop the attacks from Gaza extremists is to make their message irrelevant. By giving the Palestinians an alternative to violence. As long as Israel kills, maims, starves, and freezes the population of Gaza, the militants are relevant. Their message is the truth. Israel proves with each air strike, with each ground incursion, the worst propaganda Hamas can tell the people.
How can the average Palestinian believe in a peace process when the Israelis behave like this? How can they possibly be expected to make friends with the people who do this?
Maybe it's because I grew up with three sisters, but I learned that when someone is fighting with you, you don't win just by fighting back harder. You just make the situation worse. Israel may fool itself into thinking that each tank, each missile, each platoon they use in Gaza will make them safer.
In reality, they're just sowing the seeds for another generation of brutal, inhuman conflict.
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