The debate isn't even ten minutes old, but for me Obama won this debate when he said his choice for Treasury Secretary is Warren Buffet. He did say there were other qualified people, but that Buffet was one of his advisers and a great choice.
The economy is the biggest problem as we go into the election. I can't think of anyone who is more respected in this country in the area of business and investing than Warren Buffet.
OK, I know there's still about 75 minutes left in this debate.
Warren Buffet is an honourable man and should be leading the economy.
ReplyDeleteWill he accept the job?
我希望他可以接受，但似乎
ReplyDelete，他又不会接受。
张东宾
Well, Steve, you've moved up a notch in this online reader of international news--I've added your link to my news folder. Keep on bloggin' as SP would say.
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way, there's quite a few academic posts on the decline of the USA these past few weeks: increased military entanglements, rising debt load, destabilization of economy... perhaps premature, but then again, there are ready challengers in the wings.
Myself, I'm throwing my gaze to helping Alaska secede and federate with Canada! The Yukon would love to have us join them, First Nation in Alaska people would be linked to the world's largest circumpolar population, Alaska would be joining a truly Northern looking country on the eve of Arctic transportation, we could gain better civic behavior and government in a number of ways, less military posted on the doorstep, not to mention health care matters solved in a large way.
These advantages are, in their own way, similar to the reasons territorial Alaskans looked for statehood years ago, only this could result in a more progressive political culture for a place I love.
What say you engage your PS thinking about this on some Skype chat? Would Prof. Hitchins be game for a conversation? After all, it seems appropriate to have someone who lives in a former empire's headquarter city to kick-start this exploration.
Cheerio!
Jay, you are nuts. Alaska has oil. Look what America does to other countries with the greasy gold. Do you think they'd let Alaska go even though Nancy Pelosi is set against it?
ReplyDeleteWhile this isn't a chat room, it would be nice to know who I'm talking with here. "Anonymous" is a bit impersonal, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteOf course the idea is nuts. A lot of great ideas are. It would be extraordinarily difficult raising all the concerns of American devolution and such. Expenses to pay the US and all. I doubt I can get anyone to even talk about it openly for fear of harm to one's career, reputation or business interests, let alone the politics of it. Who knows, maybe Wally Hickel would take a shine to it.
I'm just thinking about what Alaska should do, not what's good for the United States. In a strange way, like Joe Vogler, I would ask what's in Alaska's interests now. Even with Obama having a real chance to become US president, it's time for the idea to be floated. Liberals might hate the idea; conservatives might hate the idea. So be it, but it still might make sense for Alaska as a far north entity.
Again, I don't know if this is the right place to hold a meaningful conversation when someone opens with a line like, 'you are nuts'. If you must, attack the ideas, not the person. Thanks.
Well it is not wise to decide a longer debate by the first 10 minutes. It is like a football game has 90 minutes and if you score in the 9th minute it doesn't mean you are the winner.
ReplyDeletei used to think the US was superior to canada, for its justice system -- innocent until proven guilty and all that.
ReplyDeletei also recall canada's treatment of protestors [remember the vancouver five in the early '80s?].
but the bush 43 administration has done a lot to level the playing field. canada is looking a lot better, eh?
I didn't try to insult you, Jay! "You're nuts" is just an expression. It makes sense however that commenting unfavorably on a person's mental status would not be received well! You did not see me smile nor did I give you an emoticon!
ReplyDeleteYou are correct that we share more culture with Yukon and Canada and that it is better in Alaska's interest to switch. Sadly, once you are in the US, or once they in some place, it is impossible to get them out.
Oh, I looked for your page and couldn't find it!
Jay, I'm open to a guest post on the topic. I agree with Amanda that getting out of the US would be close to impossible (unless as a way to raise money to deal with the debt, the US 'contracts us out' to the highest bidder - more or less how Alaska came to the US from Russia), but talking about common interests, natural affinities, etc. might open up new ideas and options, short of secession.
ReplyDelete"unless as a way to raise money to deal with the debt, the US 'contracts us out' to the highest bidder - more or less how Alaska came to the US from Russia"-- Steve, that might work!
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine giving up my American citizen ship, but then it's certainly not what it once was.
If Canada purchased Alaska, would we sing God Save the Queen (don't they sing that?) and learn French? I'm for the last part, all the way! Would Troopers become Royal Canadian Mounted Police?
Where there's a will, there's a way!
ReplyDeleteGene and I are looking about to find other Alaskans (former and current) who live outside the USA and might consider setting up an exploratory group on this.
Citizenship often begins to be seen more expansively once one lives outside one's home country. Canada has quite a bit going for it and certainly a major benefit many people I know from Alaska take advantage of when traveling, is when asked if they are Canadian, often say yes.
It's these Alaskans I'm talking to. Could Alaska do better than being tied to the USA in the future?
So Jay, are you saying you are starting up the Alaska government in exile? Various countries had such governments during WW II, and then there's also the Dalai Lama as models.
ReplyDeleteDidn't Romania have a government in exile during WWII, as well?
ReplyDeleteGene and I talked about precisely that matter last night at the Lyric Theatre with our pints. It was Ira Perman who said when we left two years ago, that we begin our exile. There never having been such a government, we might be a legation, mission or opposition party or something.
ReplyDeleteNo bother, we hold no pretense as bearers of great traditions. We are humble folk serving great ideas!