My latest Spectator column looks at the racial politics behind Rod Blagojevich's appointment of Roland Burris to fill Barack Obama's Senate seat and the Democrats' refusal to seat him.
Chess is a wonderful game to play, if not to watch. But the politics behind it is fascinating, particularly during the Cold War. I review White King and Red Queen for the Washington Times, which covers the struggles behind the board up to the present.
A Russian academic has made waves predicting the imminent demise of the United States. He's being feted in the Kremlin, even though Russia is suffering far more in the current economic climate. The fact the guy's a bit of a nut is less interesting than his more basic observation about the existence of factors which could divide America. A large federal system makes sense where the national government rules only lightly. That is no longer the case today. So maybe it is time for secession! I argue the case on antiwar.com.
Best wishes for 2009!
The Bush administration, determined to expand NATO to countries with no security value to America, plans on designating the country of Georgia as a "strategic partner." Actually, Georgia is strategically irrelevant to America, and is governed by a dangerous, impulsive, irresponsible demagogue, who started a war with Russia with the expectation that we would jump in on his side. The U.S. should step back, not get involved, as I argue on National Interest online.
My latest Spectator column is about Ken Blackwell's race for chairman of the Republican National Committee.
I'm scheduled to be on Michelle McPhee's radio show, guest hosted by Dan Flynn, around 8:30 tonight, the day after Christmas, talking about various topics. Listen live at the website of WTKK, Boston's Talk Evolution.
Americans like to say "Peace on Earth" around Christmas, but in practice the U.S. government spends most of the year visiting death and destruction on other nations and peoples. It is time for peace to become the bedrock principle behind U.S. foreign policy. At least, that's what I argue on antiwar.com.
The Eurocratic elite of Washington want consolidated government in Brussels. If necessary, they would prevent anyone in Europe from voting on the proposed changes. But Ireland's constitution required a ballot, and in June the Irish voted no. The government in Dublin plans a revote. However, opponents, led by Declan Ganley of Libertas, plan to continue the fight. I cover the issue in National Interest online.
Barack Obama has surprised many of his liberal supporters with his centrist Cabinet nominees. But it appears he intends to give the unions their fondest dreams--backing their efforts to force companies to recognize them without having to win a representation election. The so-called card check bill threatens not just economic democracy, but economic prosperity, since organized labor has adopted a policy program of special interest redistribution and economic stasis. I write about this for American Spectator online.