Are Bloggers Hurting the Political Process?

Given the media coverage lately on the Gov. Schwarzenegger story, I believe it is a proper time to look at the bad that has come about as a result of blogging, micro-blogging, and other forms of the social network that inundates our lives and the political process.   There are many blogs and those on Facebook who are championing the uncovering of the Gov. Schwarzenegger story.  They are ignoring what the magnification of this story has done to the marriage and what the kids have to go through for the rest of their lives.  They view it as a victory for the Left and another defeat in the Right’s modeling of being the family values side in the political argument.

I believe that such explosion of any news into a political figure’s personal life is coming at a cost to our county.  I believe that there are many intelligent, passionate, and driven individuals who are shying away for running for office because of what the microscope of media exposure is going to do to their family.  They know that a rift in a relationship, a mistake made in youth, a forgotten bill, is going to be seized on by bloggers and pundits and championed as a weapon aimed at the defeat of their candidacy. Political bloggers are passionate about politics, and as a result of the polarization of our political parties, tend to find themselves on the extremes of the American spectrum.  (One of the perks of this blog, for the record, is the ability of the authors to be out-of-sync with the hard party liners)

Look for example at Mitch Daniels, and his decision to run for President.  He is not busy trying to convince politicos or financiers that he is the right person for the job, but rather spending his time weighing the toll on his family life, and if it is worth the cost.  How uncivil, and sad is the state of our country’s politics, that a man with bi-partisan support, magnificent record as governor, and with campaigner staffers and donors lined up waiting to help him out, is seriously considering not running because of what the media and bloggers are going to say about his arrest in youth, marriage life, and his daughters?

The Danger of The Simplification of the Middle East

Much has been written about the revolutions currently going on in the Middle East, but I am very concerned of the over-simplification of what is going on in the streets half a world away.  Many members in Congress (on both sides) and the media have been quick to champion the revolution in Egypt, the rebels in Libya, and other similar movements.  While I always believe in freedom and am against tyrants, our country has a perilous history. Far too many times in our past we have been quick to back one group from overthrowing a terrible dictator, only to have the new group take hold, bring far worse evils to its peoples.  Many pundits have also been quick to criticize President Obama saying he lacks a clear “cookie-cutter” doctrine toward the Middle East.  This concerns me, and shows one of the many short comings of our 24 hour news coverage that is made entirely of 60 second sound bites.  Each one of these countries is in a different situation, with different groups revolting, with different intentions.  All of these must be analyzed intensively by our analysts in the military and clandestine organizations.   The solution isn’t to sit on the sidelines in every situation just as it isn’t rushing the 101st and 82nd Divisions into every fight we can get them in.

There is also a cost associated with the overthrow of governments, even if they are less than ideal.   Many of these governments, Libya included, worked with organizations like the CIA in the sharing of intelligence against organizations like al-Qaeda.  Now with a power vacuum in these countries we do not know who will emerge from power, and if they will work with the US or harbor organizations with the intent to do harm to us. While many of the leaders of these countries facing revolts and revolutions have been terrible human beings, there is that unknown if those who take their place will be any better.  I dream of the day that the entire would has leaders elected in free democracies aimed at world peace.  But the facts are that many of these countries are not ready for the heavy burden associated with a democracy or republic.  We must be careful to understand if those in the streets even believe in a Western government, or if they want a different form of a radicalized Muslim government.

If you started reading this post looking for a solution for the Middle-East, you are probably disappointed at this point.   A solution cannot be crafted in 500 words; rather it takes thousands of hours of intelligence work and hundreds of hours of briefing to come to a solution for what is going on in one country, let alone the entire region.  I look forward to hearing the President’s speech, and I hope he provides one thing that has been missing in the uprising of these countries: leadership from the world’s most powerful nation.  It is going to take a careful balance of military operations, clandestine operations, foreign aid, and other form of diplomacy in order to come to a mutually beneficial solution for the people in these countries and the world as a whole.  What we need most, rather than the presentation of some all-inclusive doctrine, is true leadership and communication as to the approach we are taking with each one of these unique situations.

The Handling of the Bin Laden Photos

While I do not want to politicize the raid on Osama Bin Laden’s compound and the success of our men and women in the intelligence community and armed forces, I want to take on the debate if we should release the photos, and what this could do to inflame or deter those deciding if jihad is for them.

We have to remember the target audience is for these photos. It is not Osama’s staunch supporters and followers.  Those who have already committed themselves into flying planes into buildings or blowing themselves up in a city market are going to be deterred by nothing. The target audience is the young men in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Britain, US, Qatar, the world around who aren’t sure if a life of jihad is for them.  I have to believe that a photo of what happens to the “Michael Jordan of Jihad” when the Navy SEALs decide your days are done, is a strong deterrent for them to choose that lifestyle.

When I was a child growing up, groups would come into our schools and show us slide shows like the ones shown here. The slide shows would show the mug shots of the faces of drug attics over time.  The hope was the shocking photos showed that by getting into drugs, not only would you end up serving time in jail, but the effects of the drugs on your body were a far worse price to pay.  I feel like us releasing the photos could have the same effect on young men thinking that the ways of terrorism are a worthy calling in life.  The message would be: “Not only are you committing heinous crimes against innocent people in a bastardized form of Islam, but also you are going to end up with the Navy SEALs at your doorstep and your final photo will be of your face and brain separated from the rest of you body.”

There is also a risk of this indeed looking like some sort of cover-up.   We already have given light to this conspiracy theory by having the President delay the announcement on TV (looking like the story was already trying to be collaborated to conspiracy theorists), disposing of the body in the sea (a move I agree with, but also allows for conspiracy theories), and those in charge giving conflicting accounts of what happened.  Any delay in releasing the photos makes it seem like some CIA analyst is trying to Photoshop the photos into looking more like Osama.  Release the photos and hush some of those who will not be happy until they are.  Additionally, there is the risk that the photos are going to get leaked anyway.  Anything that has to get leaked from behind close doors always lends itself to more conspiracy theories.  There are even those who think under the Freedom of Information Act that the photos will have to be released anyway.  The President should get out in front of any of these risks, and look strong in releasing them now.

The releasing of the photos of what the compound look liked an hour after the raid is also a concern. There has been commentary that no one appears to be armed in the photo.  I am sure the claims will soon follow that the US raided a compound full of unarmed non combatants and murdered everyone inside.  While it is standard operating procedure (SOP) that anytime a US force takes an objective for the missions operation order will tell the forces to either destroy or seize all enemy weapons systems,  the conspiracy theorists will ignore these claims and ask “where are the weapons?”  The photos of Osama dead and the surrounding are around him will end that argument.

I recognize and respect the position that releasing the photos may cause retaliation from our enemy, heck these were the people that protested a cartoonist in Denmark. I feel like not releasing the photos could have just a dramatic of an effect.  It is widely known that a new video from Osama has been in the works from al Qaeda for some time, and should be release soon.  I suspect that his supporters will claim that this is proof he is still alive.  A picture of the dead leader will be a response that this is not true.

Introduction

I figured I would begin my tenure on this blog by writing a quick introduction to who I am and what you can expect from me on this blog.    I used to run a blog at nationalhoosier.com but my change in professional careers has hampered my ability to maintain and run a blog full-time.  I am very thankful to the administrator of this blog who has become a friend of mine, for allowing me the opportunity to blog when my work schedule allows.

I believe there is a place in the political commentary world for someone who still loves the sounds of the Speedway in May and wishes Bobby Knight would walk into Assembly Hall with a cream and crimson sweater on just one more time.

I have been born and raised a Hoosier my entire life.  As far as my personal political beliefs go, I am a staunch conservative*, focusing on what I refer to as President Reagan’s thee tenants to success:  1) Strong National Defense 2) Lower Taxes 3) Limited Government.  I will be quick to support those candidates and members of Congress and Washington who believe the same.  I firmly believe that our government has over reached its power and has taken too much away from the people and the states.  (*as what I like to refer to as a “true conservative”- I do not follow the “Big Tent” GOP party.  I believe many social issues that the GOP carries under their banner are either state issues or between a person, their family, and their maker, and have little to no place in national politics.  While some call me a libertarian, I feel like these beliefs are what is at the heart of the conservative movement)

I look forward to opening up a new area of debate of Hoosier politics. Indiana is leading this nation in its rebound, and our elected representatives of the Hoosier State have a unique opportunity to be the face and the voice of the people and lead the United States back to the nation Jefferson, Washington, and Adams dreamed of.

Based on my wide range of life experiences, I plan on focusing on issues involving: Foreign Affairs, Breaking News, Political Strategy, and policy issues as the effect businesses.

I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you, and thank you in advance for taking the time out of your lives to read and comment on what I think.