Ms. Bhutto

I remember a few months ago listening to a BBC world news interview with former prime minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto. The interview was aired sometime around the jailing of the Chief Justice by President Musharaf, and Ms. Bhutto spoke of the prospects of democratic change in Pakistan. While her outlook wasn't rosy (Ms. Bhutto had been exiled on corruption charges) she was hopeful that free elections would be held in Pakistan. Elections that might propel her to leadership once more. Her dedication and resolve were more then admirable, they were inspiring. She spoke with a democratic fervor. I had hoped that she would lead Pakistan into an era of democratic peace and stability.

This, obviously, is not to be. (Background on Benazir Bhutto can be found in her obituary).

Commenting on these recent events, it would be easy to simply move on and look for the positives. I usually try to see opportunities rather then problems. However, while it may be a fitting tribute to a politician who seemingly wanted the best for Pakistan (even though I would not have agreed with many of her policies - ie. socialism) to look for the positives, it would not be proper.

I need to mourn. People need to mourn.

Certainly, I don't need to mourn in the same way as the family and friends of Ms. Bhutto do. I didn't personally know Ms. Bhutto. I didn't know her as a wife, mother, sister, aunt or friend. To focus on my loss as compared to theirs seems offensive, but its the only thing I have to offer. I mourn for the loss of what Ms. Bhutto promised for Pakistan. With her death, the front runner in the upcoming election has disappeared, the key proponent for democratic processes in Pakistan is silent, and hope for change in Pakistan seems a bit unrealistic. There is likely a vacuum in the hearts of her loved ones, there is certainly a vacuum in the political process, but more fearsome and disturbing is the vacuum of democratic ideals.

The curious thing about mourning though is that it shows you what you need. What you truly need. Loss can put things in perspective and allow a person, a country, or an idea to move forward with purpose and clarity.

The key word is "can". There is the hope that someone will rise and take the reigns of democracy in Pakistan. An individual with the resolve of Ms. Bhutto. However, until such a leader rises up the world should mourn the loss of Ms. Bhutto and the glimmer of stability she promised for Pakistan.

C'est Fini.

I'm not certain - but I think that means "It's done." in French.

(You'd think after six years of French class I'd remember more.)

Anyhow, the semester is over and, after a brief jaunt to New Haven, I'm sitting on the couch relaxing at home. Finishing the semester has left me mentally exhausted, relieved, thankful, and - perhaps more importantly - satisfied.

Now that I can leave law school behind for a week, I'm afforded the opportunity to attend to the neglected task of maintaining the blog. Several things have happened over the past few weeks that urge my commentary...

1) John McCain.

I may seem like a fanatic. I do not care. This man needs to be President if we have any hope of addressing the serious issues this country faces. That's a bold claim, but I think it rings true. (You can see my other blogs on the topic or email me if you want to be convinced.)

Over the past few weeks he's picked up important endorsements - ranging from both political and conservative newspapers (see: Wall Street Journal Endorsement, Boston Globe Endorsement, Union Leader Endorsement, Des Moines Register Endorsement) to exceptional political figures like Joe Liberman. I don't put much faith in endorsements. In fact, I think that these endorsements may not be a good thing in the long run for Mr. McCain. Being endorsed by a former Democrat doesn't exactly ease the doubts primary voters may have about your Republican credentials. However, I think that the endorsements point to the strength of John McCain. He's respected by everyone, conservative and liberal alike, and he knows how to go about getting things done in a democracy. Say what you want about the politics of compromise, but they're necessary. McCain is the man who can go about getting this done.

McCain might not be the nominee but I am simply uber-impressed by his candidacy.

2) Facebook.

It keeps changing and I'm not sure I like it. The most recent changes get mixed reviews. I like being able to drop the "is" from my status. Flexibility is key. However, the new look of "Friends" seems over complicated. Not to mention that the old updates worked just fine. Even so, I didn't like the news feed at first, but now can't imagine facebook without it.

Sad when this is #2 on my list of things to comment on.

3) Elves.

Not Elvis. Elves. My dad made this and sent it out to the church. My mom isn't a fan. I think it's hilarious, especially because neither of my parents can dance at all.

It's hard to hear but it says: "From the top two Lowery Elves, Merry Christmas."

4) Merry Christmas.

Speaking of Christmas wishes, a wonderful Yale student recently noted that "Merry Christmas" isn't said anymore and she's fighting the "Happy Holidays" trend with an appropriate dose of Christmas well-wishing. One fellow was purportedly insulted by this audacious utterance.

Not that my approval is necessary, but I'm a big fan of making people think through the reasons they're insulted. I don't celebrate Kwanzaa. Heaven knows that I travail through dull, repetitiousness Kwanzaa greetings during the nightly local news (the same as those who don't celebrate Christmas suffer through Christmas greetings, the same with Hanukkah greetings, or any other news oriented greetings for that matter). It doesn't mean that I'm insensitive to people that celebrate Kwanzaa. In fact, I'm not offended by these greetings at all and I'm ecstatic that those who do celebrate Kwanzaa have a holiday to celebrate. I don't flip out and become insulted. I recognize that the greeting is just a waste of thirty seconds.

I'm perfectly fine with people feeling insulted, but only if I've actually insulted you. If I'm just boring you with details of life you'd care not recognize then just ignore me and chalk up the greeting to 3 or 4 wasted seconds.

Economist Article

Fantastic article in the Economist touting John McCain as the "star" in our midst.

Interestingly enough, the article notes that McCain has been passed over for largely two reasons. One, is the common misconception that Senator McCain isn't truly a republican - that he isn't conservative enough. The irony of this misconception is that he's far more fiscally conservative then any of the front runners, consistently supporting free trade, limited budgets and pro-growth legislation. Additionally, while certainly not the social conservative that Huckabee is, McCain is indubitably more conservative the either Guiliani or Romney. The one slight against McCain are his policies on immigration. The ridiculous irony here is that Huckabee supports very similar legislation with regard to immigration and hasn't gotten anywhere near the heat that McCain has.

The bottom line: there isn't a more balanced conservative candidate on the Republican side when you consider Huckabee's populism (and inexperience), Guiliani's social worries (and corruption) and the fact that Romney seems like an entirely different man then he was three months ago (let alone two years ago).

Ultimately, some people have worried that McCain just might be too old. Personally, I feel this is a baseless worry. (In fact, I recently had a tense conversation about this with an frequent fellow politico.) There are a couple things to consider here. To be an effective President you don't need (a) good looks (see: Wilson), (b) a great body (see: FDR) or (c) teeth (see: Washington). What you do need is the ability to communicate effectively, a sharp mind and a pulse. Senator McCain certainly has the first two, but does he possess the pulse? Certainly we've elected more frail men to our highest office and they've done quite well. Additionally, Senator McCain has the benefit of good genes, modern medicine, and an incredible Constitution that provides for solutions to such concerns. Ultimately, Senator McCain's age should only help him. Age means vast experience and while experience doesn't mean the world, it counts for something. Especially when that experience is international in an age where our problems are international and the top candidates for the nomination have a combined 0 days of foreign policy experience (two former governors and a mayor).

So I humbly submit, that outraged (Federally subsidized) Iowans aside, you should consider McCain as your candidate.