Month: January 2008

Jeff Greenfield urges the Dish’s favored Democrat to highlight his support from red state governors.

A few years ago, I would have dismissed Gandhi’s pacifism as idiotic, as Orwell did. I still don’t buy it, but after Iraq and the lessons of over-reach, his philosophy palls a little less. John Lloyd writes:

As an inspiration and a symbol, Gandhi has no peer in the 20th century; as a practical politician, he was a despair to his colleagues in the Indian national movement. His insistence on non-violence grew more extreme as he aged: during the war, he recommended to the British that they should "invite Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini to take what they want of the countries you call your possessions.” And in an interview given after the war, he went so far as to say that “the Jews [in Europe] should have offered themselves to the butcher’s knife. They should have thrown themselves into the sea from cliffs." To attempt to overthrow tyranny, or even to oppose genocide, became for Gandhi an act almost as bad as tyranny or genocide itself—a view which finds an echo today in those who oppose any action of intervention to stop massacres.

Yet more than any other figure, Gandhi destroyed not just the British empire, but the very idea of empire. He did it by holding up to the British and to the world a mirror in which they could see themselves—preaching law, democracy and rights at home, while oppressing abroad. It is that vision which won out, in the latter half of the 20th century.

Even I was more bullish on Romney after last night’s debate:

McCain will get another assist from Arnold tomorrow or Friday, but it is hard to hide the fact that this would be a second Bob Dole campaign, with less energy and fewer conservative principles.  Many, many Republicans have to be worried not just about losing the White House, but about a dispirited party and a down-ticket wipe-out. McCain supported the surge.  That’s true, and a very strong point. But is it enough to wage a nine-month campaign on?

Romney’s third conscutive strong performance in a debate will almost certainly lead to a rise day-to-day over the next six days in key states, but whether he rises fast or far enough depends primarily on the Huckabee voters’ recognition that continued allegiance to the Huck spells a McCain nomination and all that means for the next nine months.

Money Quote:

That 4-point lead is the narrowest since early January, and it is a continuation of gains by Obama. The impact of John Edwards’ exit from the Democratic race is less clear. Wednesday night’s numbers (the first with Edwards excluded from the ballot) show no clear indication that either candidate is benefiting disproportionately.

" … but at the highest rates." A great defense of paying writers (maybe they’ll forgive me now for going on Colbert):

Brink Lindsey doesn’t feel the fear.

The latest in aviation news:

The 55 passengers will have to remain clothed until they board, and dress before disembarking, said Hess. The crew will remain clothed throughout the flight for safety reasons.

Have you ever seen a grown man naked?

A fascinating experiment in Vermont.