The times they are a changing

Jim Vicevich had a meltdown the other day on WTIC. He said he was tired of politicians playing politics with terrorism - Why do you think they are called politicians Jim? Fish gotta swim and birds got to fly. Of course what he took electronic umbrage about was the US port deal with a company based in the United Arab Emirates. First, had most Americans even heard of the UAE before this week? If you want some information here are two places to start:

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ae.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Arab_Emirates

Now, without getting into the details of this issue, I want to review the inconsistency on both sides. For 4 years, we have been told that 9/11 has changed everything. Everything needs to be re-evaluated in the light of 9/11. But when Rush Limbaugh and the New York Times are agreeing on something, Pat Robertson may be right - we are in the end times.

If everything changed on 9/11 then nothing prior to that can be used for or against what we do now. Everything has to be reviewed in that context. If on the other hand, 9/11 is just a point in time, and while an important event, should not send us cowering to the dungeon of protectionism, then we need a much longer view of history and long term plans.

I would take it to mean a deal like this would be reviewed by the Department of Homeland Security and bumped up to the President for review. This looks like this has not been done. However, this does not mean that this deal should not go through. Unfortunately, nobody has defined how we balance globalization and the struggle against terrorism. (I hesitate to use the term war - it cheapens the true wars and gives us a false definition of how to fight it.)

Openness and honesty, with a lot of education, is what is needed now, but we are only getting soundbites and accusations - we are seeing emotion overwhelm wisdom and intelligence.

What track are you taking Jim? Or are you an aspiring politician?

30 min