Monday, February 28, 2005

A good day for Lebanon and more horror in Iraq

Today the government of Lebanon resigned under a storm of street protests against the Syrian military presence in Lebanon. Is this a sign of what Bush has said Freedom is marching forward throughout the world?

We have to congratulate the Lebanese people for their success today, but at the same time know that their fight for democracy in Lebanon is just beginning. Syria has spent nearly two decades in Lebanon their political operatives and guerrillas will be there for years to come. The Syrians are unlikely to just walk away from their investment in Lebanon and the pressures on the Lebanese government to acquiesce to the demands from Damascus, will be great. The United States and the European Union need to stand behind the leaders of this democracy movement and give them what support we can offer in hopes it will help them transition to a free and open democracy.

As counterpoint to the democratic success in Lebanon today Iraq suffered in other devastating bloody terrorist attack today. As many as 125 people were killed today by a suicide bomber, the often quoted saying that "Freedom is not free" is being demonstrated with the blood of the Iraqi people. The United States has lost nearly 1500 lives today date in hopes of establishing a democracy in Iraq, but it is the Iraqis that are suffering the most. I can only hope that all lives that have been sacrificed will result in a freer and safer world.

If the United States war in Iraq turns out to be the catalyst to a wave of Freedom that sweeps the Middle East, George Bush may go down as one of the most brilliant presidents ever. Even some critics of the war in Iraq are now beginning to openly wonder if they were wrong. I personally think they are wrong, but the proof will not be available for years to come.

Sunday, February 27, 2005

The New American Aristocracy

This article from the economists, points to a troubling fact in the United States. Have we built a new class of aristocracy that has been running United States, whether it be a liberal or conservative they all seem to come from the same group. If it is true that we are now losing the social mobility we've had in the past, what does this say for our future.

Day One

Welcome to the Republican Bum

Within this Blog I hope to be able to define my political views. Am I a Republican, Democrat, progressive liberal, conservative, or neoconservative? It's a little hard to say at this point what I am. I may be a little bit of a neocon with some strong liberal tendencies. Let's see who I am. I hope you enjoy this ride.