9/4/08

As events move quickly in Pakistan, Georgia, and elsewhere, Republican convention-goers heard nothing but more of the same – vigorous defenses of Bush administration policies and little or no mention of critical issues: Afghanistan, Osama Bin Laden, and global warming.  The past two nights have clearly demonstrated that a McCain administration will be merely an extension of the current Bush administration. Conservatives on a national stage laid out no positive agenda for America. Last night they were even more extreme on foreign policy than the Bush administration – calling for more confrontation with Russia over Georgia and demonstrating total confusion over the nature of the terrorist threat. The New York Times concluded that “McCain cannot escape the burdensome shadow of President Bush because his policies offer no real change.”

Conservatives at the convention completely ignore the war in Afghanistan, despite gravely deteriorating situation. Retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey, in a harrowing assessment for West Point, said that Afghanistan “is in misery,” yet Republicans offered nothing to address this spiraling crisis.  Afghanistan went unmentioned in the 7 major Republican convention addresses so far, a glaring absence that echoes the Bush Administration’s neglectful policies toward the country, and the broader region. [General Barry McCaffrey, 7/30/08. President George W. Bush, 9/02/08. Senator Fred Thompson, 9/02/08. Senator Joseph Lieberman, 9/02/08. Mitt Romney, 9/03/08. Mike Huckabee, 9/03/08. Rudy Giuliani, 9/03/08. Governor Sarah Palin, 9/03/08]

As the Arctic crumbles, conservatives never mention climate change, chant slogans in the absence of policy.  Climate change will be one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century.  According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, “warming of the climate system is unequivocal,” an argument driven home by the sprawling chunks of ice falling away from the Arctic Circle.  To this immense global problem, conservatives made their policy clear last night:  “Drill, baby, drill.” [IPCC, 2007.  Time, 9/04/08. USA Today, 9/03/08. Wall Street Journal, 9/04/08]

Conservatives confused on terrorist threat - demonstrating they have no idea how to defeat international terrorism.  The depth of confusion shown by Republicans about the terrorist threat facing the U.S. is enormous, something demonstrated by their vague references to “radical, violent Jihad” and “radical violent Islam.” Not only does this language undermine John McCain’s supposed “hearts and minds” test by alienating moderate allies in the struggle against extremists, but it shows a basic misunderstanding of the threat we face.  By lumping Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood and the like into one entity, “conservatives make it impossible to pursue effective policies. Their ideological approach has caused the United States to miss numerous opportunities, where it could have played these groups off of each other to America’s benefit.” [Mitt Romney, 9/03/08. Senator John McCain, 3/26/08. NSN, 11/14/07]

Conservatives call for more confrontation with Russia. Last night Rudy Giuliani lauded John McCain’s statement that “We are all Georgians.” This extreme rhetoric implies that the U.S. should militarily defend Georgia against Russia – and sets McCain apart from the measured responses of the Bush Administration, Barack Obama, and almost every world leader, which called for a cessation of violence. The Politico explained at the time, “While virtually every other world leader called for calm in Georgia… John McCain did something he’s done many times over his career in public life: He condemned Russia…though neither he nor any other leader has suggested that the West has any real way to blunt Moscow’s ultimate intentions” [AP, 9/3/08. AP, 8/12/08. Politico, 8/13/08]

Quick Hits

Pakistan is in a “fury” over an alleged U.S.-led cross-border raid from Afghanistan yesterday that may have killed 15 civilians. Elsewhere in Pakistan, 26 police recruits were kidnapped and 36 militants were killed in separate incidents.

Vice President Dick Cheney continues his Eastern European tour. In Georgia, Cheney announced his support for Georgian NATO membership and condemned Russian actions as the White House pledged $1 billion in aid.

Iraq’s government arrested several leaders of the Anbar Awakening despite their strong ties to the United States—which dismissed the incidents as an “internal matter.” This comes in the wake of anger amongst Awakening members regarding the U.S. handover of Anbar province to the central Iraqi government.

In the Ukraine, new laws curbing presidential powers and a split over the proper response to Russia’s invasion of Georgia have led to the collapse of the coalition government, leading President Viktor Yushchenko to say he would dissolve parliament and call for early elections.

The United States has announced that it “doubts” accounts of North Korea re-assembling their nuclear facilities, though South Korea confirms the reports.

Robert Mugabe has announced a Thursday deadline to those attempting a power-sharing deal, threatening to form his own government if the deadline is not met.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has announced a nationwide referendum to attempt to solve the standoff and state of emergency as demonstrators continue to occupy his offices.

Haiti is facing a “catastrophe” following consecutive hits from Tropical Storm Fay, Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna.  Officials expect damage from Hanna to worsen and fear the possible approach of Hurricane Ike, already a Category Four storm in the Atlantic.

China admits that there may have been Afgh with some of the schools that collapsed during May’s Sichuan earthquake.