[Peace-discuss] Pander-Bear...Ack!

[C. G. Estabrook]

[Life, in its boring, predictable way, continues to imitate art.  --CGE]


ART: [BBC 14:28 GMT, Wednesday, 14 May 2008] -- An invasion of panda bears has 
helped launch the 61st Cannes Film Festival, which is getting under way in France.

Comic actor Jack Black arrived by boat with 40 people in giant panda outfits to 
promote Kung Fu Panda, an animated tale of a bear who loves martial arts...


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LIFE: [Financial Times May 13 2008 20:05] -- The Israeli embassy in Washington 
had a surprise guest when it celebrated the country’s 60th anniversary last 
week: Senator Barack Obama.

Just as the event began, the Democratic presidential hopeful appeared on stage, 
exchanged hugs with the Israeli ambassador and pledged his commitment to the 
country’s security and prosperity...

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9b3700d2-2114-11dd-a0e6-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1

	*	*	*

The Financial Times, to my mind the best general English-language newspaper 
today, points out that -- despite rhetorical divergences -- there are no major 
differences in general Mideast war policy among Obama, McCain, Clinton and Bush. 
  From the article cited above,

"...For all the difference in temperament and outlook between them, many 
analysts and insiders say there are important points of continuity between the 
three main presidential campaigns’ policies on the Middle East, despite the many 
controversies in the region.

"...Even on Iraq, the great divisive issue in US politics, some observers 
caution that, in the end, there might be less difference between the candidates’ 
approach than first meets the eye."

Two points seem clear:

[1] In the US, policy -- particularly foreign policy -- is largely insulated 
from politics.  The permanent government follows a consistent policy, however 
nefarious, and regularly scheduled elections function more as a distraction from 
it than as a process of decision about it: we think we're making public 
decisions (as in the elections of of 2006 and 2008), but in fact the 
possibilities are so carefully constructed that they will make no difference in 
the general policy.  But it gives the electorate something to do.

[2] The current wars in the Middle East, far from reflecting he peculiar 
ignorance or stupidity of George Bush (as Gore Vidal seemed to argue on 
Democracy Now! this morning) are well within the (narrow) policy spectrum 
discussed within the American government for generations, if at one end of that 
spectrum.  And -- as the House Democrats admit by funding the war well into the 
next administration -- the new president will intend no real change, whoever 
s/he is.  On war, the election of 2008 is like the election of 1968 -- 
regardless of its outcome, the new president will continue the war, with at best 
tactical changes.  --CGE