. . . And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. – Shakespeare, As You Like It, 2/7
The United States can do nothing to stop North Korea from breaking international law in the next 10 days by firing a missile that is unlikely to be shot down by the U.S. or its allies, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Sunday.
Appearing on “FOX News Sunday,” Gates said North Korea “probably will” fire the missile, prompting host Chris Wallace to ask: “And there’s nothing we can do about it?” “No,” Gates answered, adding, “I would say we’re not prepared to do anything about it.” Last week, Admiral Timothy Keating, commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, said the U.S. is “fully prepared” to shoot down the missile. But Gates said such a response is unlikely.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu made the protectionist point during an underreported House hearing this month, when he said tariffs and other trade barriers could be used as a “weapon” to force countries like China and India into cutting their own CO2 emissions. “If other countries don’t impose a cost on carbon, then we will be at a disadvantage,” he said. – The Wall Street Journal
So let’s review. A cap and trade plan will result in raising the prices of manufacturing items. It will hurt those business already struggling and lead to more layoffs and more companies moving offshore. And then there will come the looming trade war with China. And the result may be more carbon being emitted into the atmosphere as manufacturing shifts worldwide to nations that have even less environmental controls. Lovely. Just what this country’s economy needs right now. – Betsy’sPage
The Obama administration used the threat of withholding more bailout money to force out General Motors Corp. Chief Executive Rick Wagoner and administer harsh medicine to Chrysler LLC, marking one of the most dramatic government interventions in private industry since the economic crisis began last year. The administration’s auto team announced the departure of Mr. Wagoner on Sunday. In a summary of its findings, the task force added that it doesn’t believe Chrysler is viable as a stand-alone company, and suggested that the best chance for success for both GM and Chrysler “may well require utilizing the bankruptcy code in a quick and surgical way.“ The Wall Street Journal
If they are to be detained in the United States after some sort of process that determines that they are too dangerous to let out, or have committed offenses that merit punishment, we have to worry about where they’re put and what the effect is on the – what that effect might be on the place where they’re placed. If we are to release them in the United States, you can’t just sort of, as you said, put them on the street and there, but we need some sort of assistance to them to start a new life and not return to some of the conditions that may have inspired them in the first place. – Dennis Blair, Director of National Intelligence
The Pentagon claims more than 60 former Guantanamo inmates have been released by their home governments and are believed to be engaged in militant activities. It has not released a list of those former prisoners. Two of the top al-Qaida leaders in Yemen are former inmates, according to both al-Qaida and U.S. intelligence officials. And the Taliban’s top operations officer in southern Afghanistan was released from Guantanamo in 2007, according to U.S. intelligence and military officials.
Many Americans are so emotionally invested in the Obama presidency that they consider it too historic to fail. They won’t tolerate any criticism of the president or his administration, finding it easier to simply attack critics. And whatever goes wrong that they can’t defend or deflect, they just blame on George W. Bush. But to many of the rest of us, it’s clear that President Obama is flunking economics. He is trying to do too much at once, and so he is not doing any of it well. – Ruben Navarrette, CNN, 3-27-2009
…Meanwhile, some white Americans are turning themselves inside out to come up with excuses for why they’re not supporting Obama. - Ruben Navarrette, CNN, 5/14/2008
Mr Obama’s once-celestial approval ratings are about where George Bush’s were at this stage in his awful presidency. Despite his resounding electoral victory, his solid majorities in both chambers of Congress and the obvious goodwill of the bulk of the electorate, Mr Obama has seemed curiously feeble. – The Economist 3/26/2009
His advisers insist that Mr Obama is too clever to usher in a new age of over-regulation, that he will stop such nonsense getting out of Congress, that he is a political chameleon who would move to the centre in Washington. But the risk remains that on economic matters the centre that Mr Obama moves to would be that of his party, not that of the country as a whole. So Mr Obama in that respect is a gamble. . . He has campaigned with more style, intelligence and discipline than his opponent. Whether he can fulfil his immense potential remains to be seen. But Mr Obama deserves the presidency. The Economist, 10-30-2008
This marks our 100th post at Passing Thru. Thanks to all of you for making the journey so enjoyable.
Pete and Betsy
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Peter and Betsy Wuebker are location-independent professionals who share what they know about travel, simplicity and integrating work with life. 
Hi Betsy – I hope there’s some light at the end of the tunnel. I really want to move to the US but it’s sounding like now isn’t the greatest time.
Things aren’t much better over here. One asshole who ran one of the bailed out banks has been given £750,000 a year pension. And our Home Secretary has been paying to watch porn films, with the taxpayers money.
Betsy,
I read your whole post…do you think I violated by no news programs for Lent fast?…
Very interesting and it stirred up the juices…I better say Congratulations on Post 100 and take myself away before I fall off the wagon!
Patricia´s last blog post..A Prayer in Spring
Hi Cath – We are living in interesting times! While it’s tempting to defer plans for better timing, I also think if you have a sound plan, nothing will deter you from solid goals and objectives, along with a can do attitude. That being said, I’m finding all the spinning remarkable. Today we are told that GM should file bankruptcy, for example. Why was this not a good thing $17 billion ago? That’s got to remain a rhetorical question, I guess. Thanks.
Hi Patricia – I think you’re safe for Lent. Even if you skirted the line, you’ll be forgiven – on that we can depend.
Thank you for coming by.
Mr Obama is clever yes, but not smart. And there is a BIG difference.
I hope for the best.
Always.
And tend to what I can.
Jannie Funster´s last blog post..Ukulele Video
Hi Betsy. My political IQ is below remedial, but my instincts are that Obama is trying to live up to the standards that the public set for him. Obama fever was contagious and now he has a tough act to follow… his own.
Congrats on your 100th post! Woo hoo!
Davina´s last blog post..Good Advice in Tough Times
Congratulations! 100 posts! That’s great!
I enjoyed watching The Daily Show’s review of Obama’s new spin terminology. As I recall, the war was called a “contingency plan” and terrorism was referred to as “human-caused disasters.” That’s not what I voted for.
Dot´s last blog post..I’ll Never Get Back, Part 2
Hi Jannie – I’m even wondering if clever now. I think hubris throws caution to the winds. Already this is an unprecedented level of interference, and I’m not one for government interference, obviously. Time will tell. Thanks.
Hi Davina – Following the tough act of a campaign based upon an undefinable platitude is difficult, you’re right. Eventually the smoke fades and the mirrors reflect upon oneself. Unfortunately, what we’re seeing isn’t the least bit pretty. Thank you.
Hi Dot – Yeah, change the terminology and hope for the best, right? The attention on all the ridiculous obfuscates the stunning level of ideological overreach that is underway. We snicker about the Ipod with his speeches given to the Queen, but the implications of this colossal financial train wreck are unfathomable – we’re deer in the headlights with our feet stuck in the track.
If the President is so overwhelmed with the details of attending to the financial crisis (as David Brooks apologetically opined during the bumbled Gordon Brown visit) why ever is he taking on the micro-managerial aspects of the GM takeover? Wouldn’t financial crisis triage start with the biggest bleeders? If so, GM and Chrysler are single cell organisms by comparison with the financial services bailout recipients. What’s with the double standard? More smoke and mirrors? Yeah, those nasty bonus recipients! $117 million – we’ll focus on that and let billions go unaccounted.
The problem with an empty platitude is precisely that which got Obama elected: Everyone who voted for him thought THEIR definition of hope and change was what he stood for. Now comes the task of managing all the disparate expectations. Even the Europeans, whose favor was so highly esteemed and mourned over the last eight years, are starting to notice. For those who had low expectations or downright fears about this guy’s qualifications and abilities, the vindication is pyrrhic.
It has only been a few more than 60 days. Unfortunately, there are more than three years left. What will the War on Terror be called then? Over? Will we be winning? Thanks for indulging my rant.
Hi Bets, Time for your little brother to respond. It’s good to see peoples’ reaction who voted for this guy as if he would make a difference. I honestly vowed to at least give the guy a chance, and not be a sore loser after the election. I’m sorry, but the total ineptness I see coming from this administration and legislature is really scary. I think we are just seeing a ripple on the water surface which leads to a flood of nonsense in the future. Very worried about my future right now. The best hope I can see in the future is a total overhaul of the Senate and House in 2 years. That’s still a long time.
Hi Johnny – Yeah. Just yeah. Love you.
Hi Betsy & Pete – Congratulations on your 100th post. That’s a fabulous milestone in blogging and you’ve made a wonderful contribution to the blogosphere.
Re: your post. All I can say is, “if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is”.
Barbara Swafford´s last blog post..Be A Person Who Needs People
Hi Barbara – Thank you! And congratulations again on your two year anniversary. You’ve been an inspiration, and a wonderful friend to us along our journey. And yes, you’re right – words to live by. Thanks.