World Beyond

Answers

The calmness whispers
permeating universe
Keep to patient path
In time, to pure, searching hearts
all answers will be revealed

Baseball and Steroids

Okay, I for one am getting a little tired of the TV drama.   

By way of background, let me start by saying I am somewhat of a baseball fan.  Not a fanatic, just a fan.  My team is the St. Louis Cardinals.  I've seen them play in a few different cities.  When our family goes to New York, we've gone to Yankee and Shea stadiums to watch a game.  We've also seen the Nationals and the Orioles play home games.  I watch the playoffs on TV, but I don't travel to Florida for spring training or have my garage painted in Cardinal red or anything like that.

I'm 45, so I grew up with a lot of the names in the news right now.  I didn't name my son Roger or Barry or anything, and I know these guys are definitely not role models for America's youth, nor are they supposed to be. 

Regarding steroids, Major League Baseball was negligent for years but they finally have a drug policy.  To me, if you violate the current policy, you should be punished.  But to go back in history and pick on a few players: Bonds, McGuire, Clemens, etc. is ridiculous.  There were dozens, if not hundreds of players taking performance enhancing drugs back then.  It wasn't against the rules.  They were all trying the latest thing to get ahead, stay ahead.  It's a sad chapter in baseball, but really extends to many other sports as well, football, track and field, cycling, etc.. 

I will say that Bonds and Clemens should have just fessed up in the first place.  It's never a good idea to perjure yourself...although who knows, maybe they really are innocent.  My motto has always been if you do the crime, you've got to be ready to do the time.  Unless your name is O.J..

Punish all the current violators, but let the press and the US Government get out of the witch hunt business.  If you put up the right numbers (Bonds and Clemens) you should be elected into the hall of fame.  But I've heard a bunch of sanctimonious, wussie-boy baseball writers state they will vote to keep them out.  Get a life boys!!  Spring training is right around the corner...let's play ball!

Vladimir Putin - Short Man, Strongman

Good old Vlad is at it again.

The man who George W. Bush looked in the eye in 2001 (after tilting his head sharply downward) and found to be "very straightforward and trustworthy" (really now, did George get anything right in 8 years...anything at all?)  The man who successfully consolidated his power and stripped Russians of many of the rights they'd gained after communism's fall, has now completed a constitutional end-around that will in all likelihood keep him running Russia as either President or Premier (or Tsar perhaps?) for the rest of his life. 

In his most recent performance for the Russian and world press, a rather smug, testy Putin described his future role as the "head of the Russian Government" AFTER he steps down as President.

Putin, playing the role of strongman with a colossal chip on his shoulder, has used his stranglehold on the Russian media to tap into the desire of the average Russian to return to the "glory days" when the Soviet Union could throw its weight around.  His carefully orchestrated public persona ensures he is wildly popular at home.   

I was in Moscow in early December, 2007 and witnessed the "spontaneous" demonstrations supporting Putin in front of embassies and news agencies after rumors flew around the city that the West was trying to "steal" the election.  Thousands of "Our Russia" youth (most appeared aged 18-22) took to the streets wearing red plastic capes with Putin's likeness stenciled on the back.

It looks like the former KGB man has ushered in a return of Russian chauvinism -- arresting or killing internal dissenters, playing up ethnic differences, and threatening his neighbors by cutting off energy supplies or with nuclear weapons.  Where exactly would the fallout from a Russian attack on Poland, the Czech Republic or Ukraine wind up Vlad, have you checked the prevailing winds lately?

As usual, the columnist Ralph Peters has seen through Mr. Putin's shenanigans, finding commonality between statements the Putin administration makes today with the propaganda machine run by the communist party back in their Stalinist heyday.  Fortunately, it appears most of Europe has seen through Putin's charade and recognized that a strong, common diplomatic front will be necessary to deflect his ambition for a return to completely dependent, docile buffer states on the Russian periphery.   

Russia remains a third world nation, albeit with abundant energy supplies and nukes.  Contrary to all the bluster of the Putin regime, their conventional military is in a shambles.  The only component of their strategic forces that continues to impress is their land-based ICBMs.  Their navy has collapsed to the point of inconsequentiality.  The recent launch of their newest ballistic missile submarine is a hollow victory as the missile it was designed to carry has so far had a miserable test record.  I guess they could use the new sub as a battering ram.

Over the past few months, the revival of out-of-area long range aviation activity hollowly hearkens back to the glory days, but still remains nothing more than a sporadic attempt at muscle flexing.  Kind of like an aging, flabby body-builder showing up at the gym a couple times a year and grunting loudly as he bangs some weights around.  Pathetic really.  How the mighty have fallen. 

What to do?  While we definitely don't want to create the Cold War version 2.0, we also don't want to simply cave in every time Putin throws a tantrum.  Continued, improved relations with the rest of Europe will help, as will attempting to find ways to engage the Russians and work together in areas where we have common interests.  If the West can muster some foresight and resolve, things should be fine, although the potential remains for flare-ups.  Did I hear someone mention independence for Kosovo?

Perhaps I was a little harsh on President Bush, his initial assessment may have been partially correct.  Mr. Putin's grab for power was quite straightforward, but the man is anything but trustworthy.   

Afghanistan Update

There's plenty of coverage these days about the war in Iraq, while news and commentary regarding our engagement in Afghanistan is a little more difficult to come by.  I recently read a very good book and a couple of news articles that shed a lot of light on events in that historically war-torn country.  If you're looking to keep abreast of current events in this part of the world, you can't go wrong by reading any of the information below. 

Michael Scheuer's well-written book Imperial Hubris focuses on US policies in the so-called "war on terror" in general, with excellent insight into al-Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden.  A significant portion of the book, however, deals with the situation in Afghanistan and what policies will and won't work there.  The book is fairly pessimistic in tone, but it is extremely difficult to argue with Mr. Scheuer's credentials or his analysis of the situation.

A slightly more optimistic, yet counterintuitive point of view can be found in a recent Washington Post article titled "Two Myths About Afghanistan" by Ann Marlowe.  Ms. Marlowe has spent a good deal of time in Afghanistan since 2002.  It's her opinion that the overall security situation is getting better based on the military's implementation of an improved counterinsurgency strategy.  However, at the highest political level, President Hamid Karzai is an ineffective leader and is not a "bulwark against the Taliban or ethnic strife".  She blames the Bush Administration for overstating Karzai's importance and effectiveness. 

For a look at how Afghanistan is shaping relations between NATO member countries, please read an article in this week's Economist, "Where the Sniping Has to Stop".  In their view the war is being botched at the highest political levels, and that more unity from the West is required to overcome the poverty, poor government and drug-financed insurgency that forms the basis of today's Afghanistan. 

Romantic Hearts

While lounging about this morning I was fortunate enough to read in the Washington Post  Michael Dirda's excellently written review of the book My Mistress's Sparrow is Dead edited by Jeffrey Eugenides.  The book is a compilation of love stories written by a Who's Who list of famous authors.  Dirda's description of the book makes me want to rush out and buy it, which I'm sure I'll do as soon as I can drag myself off the couch. 

I've written a many messages about the power of love and following your heart, usually with regard to more serious or weighty matters than romantic love.  But, when you're in midst of love's iron grip on your heart, whether the thrill and excitement of falling in love or the pain and anguish of a break-up, is there anything more serious or weighty??

Almost a dozen years ago while far away from home I woke up and found myself in the midst of a loveless marriage.  I remember a conscious and even spoken desire to learn about love and experience true love in my life.  I'm talking the romantic kind of love here...not the new testament concept of charity or the love you feel for your children.  (All very important and instructional in their own ways.)

Since that day I feel as though I've been on a journey of discovery about love and myself.  At times it has been indescribably beautiful, and my heart has swelled with joy to the point of bursting.  At times it has been extremely painful, and my heart has swelled with pain to the point of bursting.  And looking back, I wouldn't have it any other way. 

My heart feels stronger, wiser, and I feel much more alive and creative than I ever was before.  That's what love can do for you.  Apparently, most of the stories in My Mistress's Sparrow is Dead focus on the pain and anguish aspect of love.  All I know is love is magical and a mystery.  You can only discover it by  accepting the risk and taking a leap, jumping into an oblivion that may result in a painful crash landing, but will always include a wonderful, wild ride.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm sure it won't be as instructional as the real thing but, I have a book to read.   

Leon Fleisher's Dilemma

Today I read a wonderful column in the Washington Post by Leon Fleisher.

Mr. Fleisher is an American pianist and conductor and was recently honored by the Kennedy Center for his contribution to the American Arts.  Part of the Kennedy Center celebration included a White House reception hosted by President Bush.  Like many people in America, Fleisher opposes most of President Bush's policies.  In his column he poignantly describes his inner conflict, and how he cleverly and maturely dealt with his feelings during the weekend festivities.   

Fleisher's opinions ring true to me, much more so than most Hollywood stars or popular musicians who use their fame to try and influence public opinion.  He was able to provide a glimpse into the mind and heart of an intelligent, gifted individual.

I'm certain there are many more conflicted souls out there.  Please take the time to read Mr. Fleisher's column.  I think his words will provide some insight and comfort.    

Super Tuesday

Today marks a major milestone in the US presidential primary season.  In my opinion the presidential election process drags on way too long and is way too expensive, but this year's races are quite interesting, possibly because for the first time since 1928 neither a sitting president or vice president is running for election -- thank you Dick Cheney!!

I've previously mentioned a columnist that I really enjoy reading, Mr. Ralph Peters.  Peters typically comments on foreign affairs, but I'm recommending a recent article on domestic politics to you.  "A Great Contest" puts a positive slant on the election process itself, and our current crop of candidates.  Indeed, when compared with other recent elections world-wide, Americans really shouldn't complain too much.

Usually my favorites get bumped off in the primaries, but this year both John McCain and Barack Obama are still running strong.  There's a lot of time left til November, but here's my personal prediction: a McCain/Obama race would go down to the wire with Obama winning.  A McCain/Clinton race would result in a McCain victory.

Anyway, if you don't listen to too much of the news coverage, the process can be interesting.  So bone up on the issues, get out there and support your favorite candidate (Go John McCain!!) and enjoy the next few months. 

Early Morning Moon

Moon stares down, mocking
Full, half, sliver - no matter
Optimism flees