Thursday, September 17, 2009

Interesting Events, And Good

A few bright spots today, each of which will resound.

First, Newsweek reports that the White House has been briefed that Iran has not been actively developing nuclear weapons for at least the last 6 years. The report must have seriously undermined Israeli claims to the contrary, and cast doubt upon its persistently urgent calls for preventive bombing. The fact that it was finally given at all signals that control of the agency intelligence estimate apparatus has been wrested back, at least temporarily.

Next, and likely connected with the above, President Obama scrapped the Bush/Cheney Poland-based missile shield plan. The "shield," ostensibly intended to defend from future incoming Iranian nuclear-tipped missiles, enraged Russia and many of the members of its former Union. At minimum, the move is a rational de-escalation, and may factor into preparation for upcoming talks with Iran. Which is precisely how Israel will interpret it.

Finally, Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold, one of the good guys, introduced legislation that will re-work some privacy rights and due process for average Americans back into the FISA and Patriot Acts. Not that we actually needed privacy when speaking on the phone or sending email or anything, the government would be bored to tears by all our conversations, but it's nice that an elected Senator takes time out of their busy fundraising day and thinks of these things.

4 comments:

Vincent said...

Nice little gestures indeed. So is the Health Reform debacle a genuine cockup or part of some more subtle master-game that is yet to reveal itself in an unexpected checkmate for the opponents of compassion, fair play, civilized behaviour and ordinary common sense?

A. Peasant said...

methinks it's all a little too good to be true.

Naj said...

i like this very much; so now time to press Iran on human rights!!

Naj said...

and your silence on iran puts you in the category of those "intellectuals" who think the "green" movement is an anti-iranian velvel revolution! You are WRONG mark! you are very wrong if you think that. :)