Ok. so it is so, Kid Rock did come out on stage and play at a Romney campaign event in Michigan.
Some of us will remember him for something else. Something Better...
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
What is the End Game with Iran?
So, in talking policy and international affairs with my students I always ask about the "end game". What is the end game in situation X? In other words what is the ending scenario that is desired and that the government is working to achieve? Within the end game we also need to know why a particular desire has been chosen by the government--does it represent the population's collective desire or the desire of a part of the population, and is it important for the end game to represent the desire of a majority of the population or just a part of the population (this becomes real and really tricky in a pluralistic society).
Last night I was reading James Traub's blog, "What Would John Adams Do About Iran?" and he states that if Obama continues a policy of engagement with Iran that "Iran, at a minimum, must be reassured that it can retain its nuclear program." So, I wonder is an Iran with a nuclear program the end game that is desirable to the U.S.? And what is the desired end game from the Iranian perspective, is it really just to have a nuclear program?
In comparing Adams and Obama I think Traub overlooks end game. Adams' end game was the survival of the United States (which was still not universally accepted as the expected outcome of the grand experiment). Adams could chart the course he chose--diplomacy and a floating wooden fence (Adams helped created the U.S. Navy) specifically because the end game was not defeating France, not over-coming the XYZ Affair, but the very survival of the United States.
Is anyone sure that all Iran wants is to have a nuclear program? What type of nuclear program? Does it have to be a nuclear program that is capable of producing weapons grade material? Is the desire a program for energy and science? Is it desirable to the U.S. for Iran to be capable of producing weapons grade material--it seems this is obviously not the case with the current administration. But, is it even desirable for Iran to have a nuclear program at all? Some signs point to yes, others to no when we consider statements and behaviors of past and current U.S. administrations. Does allowing Iran to have a nuclear program create international stability issues in the Southwest Asian region? Is this a desirable end game? So, I guess for my own two cents, I want to know what the end game is for U.S. policy toward Iran.
Last night I was reading James Traub's blog, "What Would John Adams Do About Iran?" and he states that if Obama continues a policy of engagement with Iran that "Iran, at a minimum, must be reassured that it can retain its nuclear program." So, I wonder is an Iran with a nuclear program the end game that is desirable to the U.S.? And what is the desired end game from the Iranian perspective, is it really just to have a nuclear program?
In comparing Adams and Obama I think Traub overlooks end game. Adams' end game was the survival of the United States (which was still not universally accepted as the expected outcome of the grand experiment). Adams could chart the course he chose--diplomacy and a floating wooden fence (Adams helped created the U.S. Navy) specifically because the end game was not defeating France, not over-coming the XYZ Affair, but the very survival of the United States.
Is anyone sure that all Iran wants is to have a nuclear program? What type of nuclear program? Does it have to be a nuclear program that is capable of producing weapons grade material? Is the desire a program for energy and science? Is it desirable to the U.S. for Iran to be capable of producing weapons grade material--it seems this is obviously not the case with the current administration. But, is it even desirable for Iran to have a nuclear program at all? Some signs point to yes, others to no when we consider statements and behaviors of past and current U.S. administrations. Does allowing Iran to have a nuclear program create international stability issues in the Southwest Asian region? Is this a desirable end game? So, I guess for my own two cents, I want to know what the end game is for U.S. policy toward Iran.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Friday Frivolity
So, last night Bridge on the River Kwai was featured on TMC as they prepare for the Oscars. I whistle this theme to our parakeets each afternoon before I take one out of the cage to train and walk around the house. When this segment started the birds started whistling and flapping in anticipation.
Education Pays
Been telling students for a few years do not go to grad school unless you want to pay the price and are really dedicated. Well, looking at this graphic (which I borrowed from my mentor Stephen Saideman's blog) maybe I was wrong.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
My Favorite Handguns
I warned some of my students earlier that I felt the need to blog on my favorite handguns today--so here goes my two cents.
Of course, there can be no doubt about my favorite handgun of all time, but before I get there I need to list the others.
10) Ruger Blackhawk .357
9) Colt Python Elite (6" barrel) .357
8) Bersa Thunder .380 (ok, so the .380 is a dainty little round, but this one is easy to carry hidden and was one of my first purchases of a handgun)
7) FN Browning HP (no big fan of 9mm, but without this design the best would never have happened)
6) Israeli Desert Eagle .41, .44, .50AE (too big for my hand, but outrageous firearm)
5) CZ 75/Tanfoglio EAA Witness .40 (love the ergonomics of the CZ 75 design, and in composites made by Tanfoglio for EAA, sweet shooter)
4) Colt Mustang .380 (really like this little number and now you can get it in stainless)
3) Sig P220 .45ACP (only shot it once, want to shoot it more)
2) Walther P99 .40 S&W (what James Bond now carries, what I would carry if not for #1)
1) model 1911 .45ACP (I don't think I have to say more, buy one, two, three or more, you'll like it. picture below is my current in regular use variant of this wonderful firearm)
Of course, there can be no doubt about my favorite handgun of all time, but before I get there I need to list the others.
10) Ruger Blackhawk .357
9) Colt Python Elite (6" barrel) .357
8) Bersa Thunder .380 (ok, so the .380 is a dainty little round, but this one is easy to carry hidden and was one of my first purchases of a handgun)
7) FN Browning HP (no big fan of 9mm, but without this design the best would never have happened)
6) Israeli Desert Eagle .41, .44, .50AE (too big for my hand, but outrageous firearm)
5) CZ 75/Tanfoglio EAA Witness .40 (love the ergonomics of the CZ 75 design, and in composites made by Tanfoglio for EAA, sweet shooter)
4) Colt Mustang .380 (really like this little number and now you can get it in stainless)
3) Sig P220 .45ACP (only shot it once, want to shoot it more)
2) Walther P99 .40 S&W (what James Bond now carries, what I would carry if not for #1)
1) model 1911 .45ACP (I don't think I have to say more, buy one, two, three or more, you'll like it. picture below is my current in regular use variant of this wonderful firearm)
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