It seems that Saudi Arabia and China are trying to buy up every acre of farmable land on the continent. This is in a clear response to the last two surges in oil prices. Higher oil prices results quickly in higher food prices.
Russia is trying to form an Opec-like agreement with some other Big Wheat countries so they can control the price and supply of this staple. I think they should call themselves Wheaties.
I was having coffee with a couple of friends the other day. Both, I would consider, to be high spiritual people. One is a devout Catholic, the other doesn't attend church regularly. I mentioned a study that said organized religion would be extinct in 9 countries within the next few years. These are not third-world countries. Australia and the Netherlands and Austria to name 3 of them. Anyway, this got the conversation running along.
One of my friends said he thought that we go to church less now because we once went there for answers that are now provided by science. For example, you may have a sore back and go to church to pray for a cure. Today you go the doctor for a shot.
The second friend said we go to church to help find answers to why there is so much suffering in the world.
My thought...hmmm...what the heck do I know. I know as much as anyone else, which is to say, no one else knows either.
A friend, John G. posted a response to yesterday's blog about Obama's speech. He basically posted the following quote: "The president does not have the power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military situation that does not involve the stopping of an actual or imminent threat to the nation." - Sen. Barack Obama, December 20, 2007
This is an excellent point. First of all, Obama mentioned meeting with the bipartisan leadership ahead of his action. There is no telling if he was looking for approval or just keeping them informed. If it was the later, then it would appear that he changed his mind at some point in the last 3+ years. However, I think he may have actually satisfied the need for consultation in the eyes of Congress. I only say this because the GOP is complaining that this wasn't handled with the same Blunt Force we used so successfully in Iraq (this amazes me). The only ones complaining about not being consulted are the small players in congress from both parties that are too short to be noticed when they raise their hands.
I think it's okay to change your mind. I doubt that he looked at the Libya situation and said, "I'd better just let those people get slaughtered or else I'll look two-faced." I think he learned that there may be situations where action is needed immediately.
He's learned that nothing says "Peace on Earth" like a well placed cruise missile.
Alas, such is our world...
Arnold Schwarzenegger once tried to push through a budget reduction measure that saved a few million dollars by reducing the amount of time a puppy would be on death row before he faced the chair. The public outcry was huge and Arnie reeled that little suggestion back in a hurry. He changed his mind and I admired him for it.
To prevent this type of thing in the future, we need a policy. Actually, we need a lot of policies. Right now, we create everything from scratch every year. Wouldn't it be great if we had policies that:
- Handled policing actions around the world
- Brought the budget under control during a stalemate
- Planned for energy consumption and creation today and into the future
- Managed our country's manufacturing and trade imbalance
- Created an education system with a goal of second-to-none
Instead, we govern like a small tree blowing in the wind.
So what's the answer?
Not sure. Budget resolution is not part of the superhero job description.
Up, up and away...
Jim
