1. Marty said:

Ask that genius to explain to you how smart he is when IRAN AND IRAQ are twins:

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A new, partial tally of votes Friday from Iraq's landmark elections showed a Shiite coalition whose leaders have close ties to Iran rolling up a strong lead over other tickets, including that of interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi.

The United Iraqi Alliance, which has the endorsement of Iraq's top Shiite clerics, won more than two-thirds of the 3.3 million votes counted so far, the election commission said. Allawi's ticket was running second with more than 579,700 votes.

2. BobW said:

No heart warming arrived here. I read it trying to get warmth but VDH's points are Susan Sonntag superficial.

He leads off by mentioning "neocons" after Jews. This is too easy of a brush off. The term "neocon" is now in the lexicon and there are grave implications regarding the term. "Neocon" is a new, moderm, clinical, non-perjorative term to replace "Hofjude".
It's not meant to be offensive but it meets the requirement. There is public perception that "neocons" develop US policy. The new word is working.

I do believe that Iraq is "trisected". I see it as a condominium. This overall scheme is a best case scenerio. It depends on US fortitude and fate. Basra, the southern section could develop some sort of affiliation with Iran.

In raw political discussion, it is way too early to evaluate the Iraq election.

Davos and "French diplomats" are glossed over too easily. The global thongs surely do not want ghettos rehabilitated or replaced nor do they want subSahara Africa "saved". Other than the political offices - lost on social issues - the Throngs have much membership in common with author VDH. The membership link is via wealth and its management. The acid test ? Check the inheritance laws. It's the same rules for the same crowd sans the rhetoric and loss of political offices.

Davos is another Cancun, where wealth is moved around outside the view of most. It's all the same folks sans Barbar Streisand's singing.

The "American Left" lost political power but they did not lose economic power. Another acid test; there is no change to the by-pass trusts. Senators Kennedy and Kerry still are exempt from the taxes.

Plus ca change, plus ca la meme chose.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.

I remember "Japan,Inc". Some changes occurred but the principle is the same. Now, it's China,Inc,PT,GMBH,SA,Mij,GK. Hanson is going too fast, too loosely over too important matters. He cannot so easily write off or type off US$ 1 billion (billion) a week (week) of foreign direct investment going to China. China has eclipsed all the Asian tiger economies and still continuing.

I'm holding off on his reference to "French diplomats". It relates to the disestablishment of Israel. Don't we all remember former PM Rocard's calculated and aimed statement on Israel being "an historic mistake"? There is more to all this.

I don't have warmth from the article.

Kol tuv,
BobW

3. Ligneus said:

I would have thought that the professional pessimists would have held off for at least one week before warning us of all the dire consequences that might now come from the Iraq election.

Yes the US is taking a huge risk in attempting to democratise all these failed states, but so far so good. And anyway, the alternative would be? Of course it could go horribly wrong in a number of ways, but so far who has the best track record, GWB or Ted Kennedy?

It's only three and a half years since 9/11, think long term guys, a couple of generations probably, then you might get a better handle on it. Though at the present rate it optimistically might get done in one, but even that means looking 15 to 20 years ahead.

4. ELIMN8U said:

We've been at this Democracy thing for over 200 years and we STILL have the likes of Kerry, Kennedy, Pelosi, to deal with...
Is it possible that Iran will follow Iraq's lead in regards to government instead of visa-versa.....