Alan...quick question: George Friedman's The Storm Before The Calm was published just 6 days after the Insurrection. Is it truly still relevant? Does the Insurrection alter what Friedman asserted, or does it fit in with what he was expecting?
Very definitely it is still relevant. He didn't exactly foresee Putin's War (although he is largely in agreement with Peter Zeihan about the basic tendencies of Russian history), nor how the coronavirus pandemic has panned out, but that's OK. I would have liked a little more detailed discussion of the politics leading up to the US Civil War, but that is quibbling. I'd say it is worthwhile looking up what Peter Zeihan has to say on the Internet about the course of Russian history, its population implosion, and the collapse of its educational system. Ditto the economics and population of China. Friedman has some recorded lectures on the Internet where he goes into those things too. Zeihan is a first rate public speaker, but I think not as astute as Friedman, although their work overlaps considerably. Friedman's book bears (indeed requires) mulling over, hence the value of a printed copy.
I too wondered it Friedman's book would be out of date, but rolled the dice as it were; for such a topical book I think it has enduring value. Probably not enough to put it into a public library, though.
Tom Nichols: “The conservatives, in any case, have become completely un-conservative. The traditional conservative emphasis on law and order and on limited government has not held the GOP’s theocratic-nutball wing in check. The same people who decried the growth of executive power now worship a sociopathic real-estate con man as a demigod. The party that prided itself on its national-security cred is now voting against admitting Sweden and Finland into NATO like some early–20th century isolationist know-nothings.”
One of the symptoms of political doom for the Whig Party was that toward the end they didn’t have any consistent positions.
Exactly What Needs To Happen [Click] DHS order that Secret Service halt their investigation of the missing text messages. But the evidence of coverup has now crept into the Inspector General’s office as well.
Talking Points Memo: They Knew All Along: GOP Elites Stomached Trump To The End [Click] “. . . over the past several weeks, through multiple hearings, the congressional Jan. 6 panel has shown how top conservatives got a front-row seat to the consequences of the bargain they struck with the former President and, crucially, how many of them continued to enable him even as he embarked on a campaign to subvert the results of the 2020 election and critically wound American democracy.
Now, as the committee approaches what might be its final hearing for some time, one throughline is coming into focus.”
104F today--ten day forecast is for that to continue, give or take about a degree. Definitely time to change to Centigrade; that will reduce the temperature by about 60%.
Thank you, Alan!! I am news-starved and you are helping!! We have 6 yr old grandson and 13 (next Tuesday) year old granddaughter here through Saturday. So I'm delightfully stretched at the moment. I did peek at updates on the Jan 6 Hearing, but sure do know I want to listen to it all soon. So many tasty morsels here to check back on!!
Alan...quick question: George Friedman's The Storm Before The Calm was published just 6 days after the Insurrection. Is it truly still relevant? Does the Insurrection alter what Friedman asserted, or does it fit in with what he was expecting?
ReplyDeleteVery definitely it is still relevant. He didn't exactly foresee Putin's War (although he is largely in agreement with Peter Zeihan about the basic tendencies of Russian history), nor how the coronavirus pandemic has panned out, but that's OK. I would have liked a little more detailed discussion of the politics leading up to the US Civil War, but that is quibbling. I'd say it is worthwhile looking up what Peter Zeihan has to say on the Internet about the course of Russian history, its population implosion, and the collapse of its educational system. Ditto the economics and population of China. Friedman has some recorded lectures on the Internet where he goes into those things too. Zeihan is a first rate public speaker, but I think not as astute as Friedman, although their work overlaps considerably. Friedman's book bears (indeed requires) mulling over, hence the value of a printed copy.
DeleteI too wondered it Friedman's book would be out of date, but rolled the dice as it were; for such a topical book I think it has enduring value. Probably not enough to put it into a public library, though.
DeleteI see that the GoFundMe account for the young Indiana man who rescued the children from their burning home continues to do very well.
ReplyDeleteFrom the “Oh, you noticed?” file:
ReplyDeleteWhat Does It Mean to Be Conservative Now? [Click]
Tom Nichols: “The conservatives, in any case, have become completely un-conservative. The traditional conservative emphasis on law and order and on limited government has not held the GOP’s theocratic-nutball wing in check. The same people who decried the growth of executive power now worship a sociopathic real-estate con man as a demigod. The party that prided itself on its national-security cred is now voting against admitting Sweden and Finland into NATO like some early–20th century isolationist know-nothings.”
One of the symptoms of political doom for the Whig Party was that toward the end they didn’t have any consistent positions.
Exactly What Needs To Happen [Click] DHS order that Secret Service halt their investigation of the missing text messages. But the evidence of coverup has now crept into the Inspector General’s office as well.
ReplyDeleteMcConnell Leaves 2024 Door Wide Open [for Trump] [Click]
ReplyDeleteTalking Points Memo: They Knew All Along: GOP Elites Stomached Trump To The End [Click] “. . . over the past several weeks, through multiple hearings, the congressional Jan. 6 panel has shown how top conservatives got a front-row seat to the consequences of the bargain they struck with the former President and, crucially, how many of them continued to enable him even as he embarked on a campaign to subvert the results of the 2020 election and critically wound American democracy.
ReplyDeleteNow, as the committee approaches what might be its final hearing for some time, one throughline is coming into focus.”
Political opinion from the other side of the pond: Polly Toynbee: Weeks of Truss and Sunak tearing lumps out of each other should bring nothing but joy for Labour [Click] “Everyone knows if Sunak loses, he’s jetting off with his green card. . .”
ReplyDeleteIn the UK a “green card” is evidence of auto insurance that covers driving in foreign countries.
Ukraine to receive more HIMARS (M142) wheeled rocket launchers, plus 300 km (190 miles) rounds [until now they have only had 92 km (57 mile) rounds] [Click] They are already receiving the tracked 2-pod M270 launchers, which can carry two of the 300 km rockets; the HIMARS (M142) can carry only one. I think that will provide the range necessary to hit the Kerch Strait road and rail bridges [before long?].
ReplyDelete104F today--ten day forecast is for that to continue, give or take about a degree. Definitely time to change to Centigrade; that will reduce the temperature by about 60%.
ReplyDeleteCheney Announces Additional Jan. 6 Hearings In September: ‘The Dam Has Begun To Break’ [Click] My, quite an introduction! Vivat!
ReplyDeleteTrump as tyrant and Cheney’s cliffhangers: key moments from the [previous] January 6th hearings [Click]
DeleteHalf of Russian spies in Europe expelled since Ukraine invasion, says MI6 chief [Click]
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alan!! I am news-starved and you are helping!! We have 6 yr old grandson and 13 (next Tuesday) year old granddaughter here through Saturday. So I'm delightfully stretched at the moment. I did peek at updates on the Jan 6 Hearing, but sure do know I want to listen to it all soon. So many tasty morsels here to check back on!!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the House January 6th hearings will be offered as a box set!
Delete