June 17th, 2008 M. Stefan Strozier

Welcome to CSPSAPC. There is much to discuss. The idea is to gather as many contributors as possible, and to keep this a fertile environment for thought. Therefore, we will be posting advertisements and seeking contributors too, whenever possible. Google Ad words now connects with YouTube, in yet another merging of technology with great, long-term importance.

The '08 elections are center stage in any current analysis; but there are many other areas that have not been examined very thoroughly in the MSM yet this year. Therefore, I hope to get caught up with several topics that require scrutiny. Let's start with Obama. It's nice to see that he has developed a basic economic plan, one that largely deals with the environment, which he said yesterday Al Gore advised him to help create. I doubt that's the case at all, and if it is then Al Gore's plan for the environment is pretty sad, indeed. My degree is in science (geology) with graduate work, not politics, so I feel confident to put forth my insight. The first point is that I think we should allow offshore drilling, as soon as possible. And here I agree whole-heartedly with McCain, let the states decide. But, I would go further, and make a large federal project, starting with ANWAR in Alaska. A country like Norway has more money they they know what to do with thanks to their offshore oil platforms in the North Sea. Why can't we do that? The objections come from the environmentalists. But like their feminist cohorts, they are locked in the 1970s, along with their thinking. It is imperative that now we think smartly, and not emotionally. The problems we face today are vast and imminent. Drilling in ANWAR will have a nominal effect on the environment, global warming or anything else, for that matter, so why not do it? We have to think about this matter within its larger context. Drilling for oil -- at least with oil platforms -- actually creates habitat, in terms of santuaries for fish populations in the form of new reef systems. There is hardly any pollution that is caused by the drilling, and jobs are created. What is bad about it at all? The only counter-arguement is that we are making more oil; but what difference is a few million gallons right now in the global picture? It matters little, but that small amount could make a big difference in America's influence and near-future. I argue we are negligent by not drilling there. By gaining much needed capital, and energy, we can leverage other environmentally-friendly plans that we want to implement, and do it sooner. Why must we take the spartan, principled path, when it serves no purpose at all? But the environmental lobby will likely influence Obama to not take this option, ironically. This new generation of Americans needs to learn how to think for themselves, instead of being slaves to the 1960s. I see potential with this upcoming group but they have a way to go yet, IMHO.

TORTURE

Next, the decision by the Supreme Court the other day to allow habeas corpus challenges from GITMO detainees was a wise one. I read an article today in the Wall Street Journal today (2 of them, actually) that contended the decision was a bad one, and I watched McCain and Fred Thompson say the same thing on TV. One point in the WSJ was that we are in wartime and in other wars our past detainees, such as the Japanese or Germans or Confederates, did not have any habeas corpus rights in America, and that further the GITMO detainees aren't even on American soil. But the point here, seems to me, that those other examples were mistakes. That is how I've looked at them all my life. Shouldn't we seek to avoid mistakes, and work toward a more perfect Union? The only time that habeas corpus was ever suspended justifiably was when Abraham Lincoln did it, and his tactics were at least as rough as Bush's -- probably rougher. I am not sure if even Lincoln was justified in that case. But Bush is definitely not justified with what he is doing -- our present situation of the War on Terror is nothing like the Civil War's danger to our democracy and survivability of our constitution. So let the Court's ruling stand, I say.

Congress -- again, in today's WSJ -- is making noises to charge current or former Bush officials with crimes for implementing torture such as water-boarding. I think Bush needs to be impeached. It may still happen. However, barring that, and in light of what I just wrote about habeas corpus, we need accountability for our government. That is what makes us Americans, and what our constitution requires. What Bush's administration did was wrong. It cannot be justified.

And last -- for now -- Iraq is becoming more stable, it's true. But that does not equal success. Stability following 6 years of chaos is not success under any circumstances. McCain is seriously misguided in his belief that we must maintain a presence in Iraq, no matter how long. Obama is sticking to his guns and wants to exit. I think Obama's words are already having an effect on Iraq, not anything the surge is doing, or the Bush administration is saying.