Monday, May 10, 2004
It's about the institutions
As Paul Krugman explains:
You know, the institutions Bush has undermined since November 2000? Brad DeLong seconds the sentiment, pointing out that by removing the state from the army (all those private soldiers, outside the chain of command and the rule of law), the Bush administration has weakened the ability of commanders to carry out the objectives of war.
Hmm. Two economists complaining that our leaders are paying to little attention to the state. It must be pretty bad! [One would think there would be legions of political scientists writing editorials on the same topic...]
On the lighter side, I've long been amused by the thought that Afghanistan is a country where rocket propelled grenades are so commonplace, they are used to fish. Turns out that in the US, the same holds for guns.
When the world first learned about the abuse of prisoners, President Bush said that it "does not reflect the nature of the American people." He's right, of course: a great majority of Americans are decent and good. But so are a great majority of people everywhere. If America's record is better than that of most countries — and it is — it's because of our system: our tradition of openness, and checks and balances.
You know, the institutions Bush has undermined since November 2000? Brad DeLong seconds the sentiment, pointing out that by removing the state from the army (all those private soldiers, outside the chain of command and the rule of law), the Bush administration has weakened the ability of commanders to carry out the objectives of war.
Hmm. Two economists complaining that our leaders are paying to little attention to the state. It must be pretty bad! [One would think there would be legions of political scientists writing editorials on the same topic...]
On the lighter side, I've long been amused by the thought that Afghanistan is a country where rocket propelled grenades are so commonplace, they are used to fish. Turns out that in the US, the same holds for guns.
