Self-confidence is one thing...

But blatant arrogance...well, there's a certain amount of chutzpah you have to have to stand up and say you deserve to be the leader of the free world. Make no mistake about that.

But less than a week after Barack Obama got almost no coverage for private statements about being "the one the world was waiting for" and similar self-promoting nonsense, I watched him yesterday say "this election is the most important event of our lifetimes."

Excuse me?

So 47 year old Obama wasn't around for September 11, 2001. Perhaps he missed the first man on the moon. The fall of the Berlin Wall slipped his mind. The collapse of Communism. Innumerable more significant historical events having to do with technological developments, governmental rise and fall...all is dwarfed by the mere chance for all of us lowly mortals to cast a vote for the chosen one?

I don't think so. And while I agree self-confidence is a necessary trait of a good leader - complete arrogance is not. Doesn't anyone have a memory long enough to recall a completely arrogant President thinking he can run the country and indeed the world any way he saw fit? You know, a guy named Bush??

Look away from the media pandering and learn about Obama for yourself. Look up his real voting record - it is NOT about unity and reaching across party lines. (And I'm a Democrat, BTW.) Look at his history with the Harvard Law Review and his lack of any meaningful publications there - other than the short article talking about how important it was that he was elected editor. Look at his first book - where he makes some fairly important statements, before he had to worry about how public opinion would be swayed - about how he really views race relations in the US. Look at his planned expansions to Social Security and read the economists' take - not just his campaign's - about the fact that we cannot fund what he proposes without massive tax increases on the middle class.

I'm all for change - but realistic change. I'm all for self-confidence - but arrogance has already led this nation into disaster. Let's not compound one grave error with another.

Don't worry about his lack of experience, he'll select great advisers...

Some of you have probably heard about Barack Obama's senior adviser who had to resign after making a stupid remark about Hillary Clinton that she thought was off the record. Normally this stuff, no one pays attention to and they shouldn't - people say dumb stuff all the time about people they don't like and it's only in the spotlight that it actually costs you your job. But then I learned more about who it was, and it really, really bothered me. For a few reasons.

The woman making the comment was Samantha Power. Let me start by saying that I have the utmost respect for Ms. Power, and I'll explain that in a minute. But let me back up by saying that nearly EVERY argument I've heard in support of Obama's campaign, when confronted with his lack of experience in politics, is that he'll surround himself with brilliant advisers as they always do and everything will be just fine. I wanted to believe that.

But Samantha Power was Obama's "expert adviser" on foreign policy. Ms. Power is a distinguished journalist, but whose main focus is on the policies leading up to genocide and ethnic cleansing. Let me reiterate - Ms. Power does not have a background or history in politics - she is a journalist, and she was chosen as the senior foreign policy advisor. Now I can and would talk all day on these topics, I have and love Ms. Power's Pulitzer prize winning book, and I'm not saying anything here that I didn't say on Amazon.com's rating area years ago. I'm not sure, first of all, that someone with such a limited focus and lack of experience is qualified to be a foreign policy adviser - let alone THE foreign policy adviser - because we see time and again that it's the treaties and policies that come back to haunt us (those who do not learn from the past, are doomed to repeat it - which we've proven probably 6 times this last century alone).

But Ms. Power's book, if it does have a critical failing, is the constant harping on the need for MORE US MILITARY INVOLVEMENT around the world. You read that right. The guy who is screaming that we need to get out of Iraq TODAY, who says we never should have been involved, made his FIRST choice in foreign policy adviser to be someone who favored MORE involvement in other countries' business. If you oppose our involvement in the Iraq war - you CANNOT support Obama with a straight face if he is choosing advisers in this manner. Ms. Power's only positive statement in her writing on Bill Clinton was his choice to approve military intervention in Kosovo. Sure, we wanted to stop that genocide. But what was she whispering in Obama's ear - we need to invade North Korea, Zimbabwe, Myanmar, the Sudan, Iran....where else? There are a lot of human rights violations going on today.

Ms. Power is a brilliant researcher who cares deeply for people. She points out the governmental situations leading to genocides and ethnic cleansing, and postulates on how it can be halted. But her main theory is, if the US got in there early, on the ground with boots, most genocide would stop. (I believe that was only really true in Rwanda - but again I can talk your ear off about this stuff.) She is a journalist who was serving in not just a political role but as a scholarly adviser - and she still didn't think an off the record comment calling another candidate a "monster" was bad judgment?? (And note - this experienced journalist requested the comment be "off the record" AFTER she said it. That ain't how it works.) Further, his choice of adviser would be one who got us more involved with every petty dictator who threatened ethnic cleansing, and in every country that had civil strife resulting in mass suffering for its citizens. I'd love to have all the money and all the troops in the world to stop evil in its tracks, I really would. But that's not the real world and that's also not the bill Obama is selling - publicly.

So please - if you're one of those people confident that his lack of experience would be overcome by his choice of advisers - think very long and hard about how you feel now, knowing this choice proves that he is not going to surround himself with the brilliant and experienced advisers we'd hoped for, nor does it agree with the very lovely rhetoric he spouts at rallies. Otherwise I hope you'll join me as one of the many Democrats who in November will be punching the "McCain" button if the other choice is "Obama." (In other words - if you still have the chance - pull that lever for Clinton!!)

Substance over Change

As a supporter of John Edwards' candidacy, this blog is an interesting path for me to head down. In a year of more than enough very strong candidates for the Democratic ticket, I am amazed to see the one that I found the least qualified as of today leading the delegate race.

I think Barack Obama is a very talented speaker; I think he is very intelligent and has a brilliant political future. Future - as in, not now. But for some reason, celebrity endorsements and pretty speeches seem to have hijacked the reality of how politics work in this generation.

As a Kennedy fan, it's hard to break with what they're saying - Obama indeed speaks the language of the late 50's and early 60's. Back then, it WAS possible to make positive change - the Presidency was a position of extreme power, and was a trusted and honored post in our government. However, after the events in Vietnam and Watergate, politics changed fundamentally in this country. Do I wish we could go back to the days where an ambitious plan could truly change the world? You bet. But we've passed that.

Watching Obama orate reminds me, and others who were there, of the Jimmy Carter campaign. Focusing on the issues that we all *wanted* to fix, Carter made us want to hope for goodness and innocence in power. But the reality is, Nixon had forever tarnished the office of the President and Congress had stepped up to ensure the Executive Branch had a taut leash. Carter was paralyzed by Congress and none of his lofty and laudable goals was met. It was not until years later and his continued work to promote human rights that his character, and possibly his legacy, were rewarded. The fact remains - in today's Washington, like it or not, pretty words don't translate into changed policy.

However, substance, experience, and long-time connections do. The next President will be facing (to put it lightly) a mess. We're in a war that we don't want to be in - very much like Vietnam - and that we can't just cut and run from. We're in an economic recession (no matter how many economists try to pretty it up) that will likely worsen with the housing market before it gets better. People cannot find work, they are losing their homes, and poverty rates are threatening to soar. These are real world problems that cannot be solved with oratory.

History really does demonstrate that those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it, nowhere more than in the realm of international relations. I have great fears when I hear Obama's naivete in foreign policy. Sure, he toured parts of Africa and again made lots of pretty speeches. But look at his record - what he's actually done and accomplished, not just what he's thought of or co-sponsored. Coalition building, across party lines, takes years of establishing working relationships. Obama has simply not spent the time it takes to accomplish this.

It's time for Democrats in this country to come to their senses. It's easy to be swayed by a powerful public speaker - how many of us were swayed by Rev. Jesse Jackson in the 70s? There may not have been a more effective speaker than he at that time - but the truth is, he never had the substance behind the words to effectuate real change. Hillary Clinton has the substance. She's served in Congress and de facto in the White House - learning the hard way how to create new ideas, how to get them supported (and how to get them shot down). She has the backing of one of our most respected Presidents - not to mention his daily support and advice - and will also be able to call on him to choose the most intelligent, respected and big-picture thinking advisers. There is no question that regardless of speeches that promise change, Hillary Clinton is the only candidate who can truly deliver it.

Taking Advantage of a Bad Situation

News everywhere flies with the federal indictment of Michael Vick, Atlanta Falcons star quarterback, for conspiracy. Yup, conspiracy. Not dogfighting, which is what the media has portrayed to be the primary violation.

It is a common intricacy of federal law that crimes aren't as cut and dry as they seem - for example, in this case a conspiracy charge - the conspiracy being, moving animals across state lines for the purposes of dogfighting, or some similar description. It doesn't make dogfighting any less repugnant, to me anyway, that there is no federal crime against it. I also don't care the political reasons why Vick was not charged on the state level. I'm glad attention is drawn to this nasty crime and I hope it can be halted.

However, I also am watching the public get tricked, once again. Wayne Pacelle, new head of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is on every news station and major network, online and in print, clamoring about the evils of dogfighting and asking that donations be sent to stop this terrible crime, and save these dogs from a horrible life.

Here's the problem. The HSUS doesn't help animals. Any. They have or support exactly zero animal shelters across the United States. Just because your local shelter contains the words "Humane Society" does NOT in any way link it with HSUS. The HSUS is, in primary function, a lobbying group. One with a leader who has expressly and publicly stated that he is against the idea of pet ownership.

In case you were wondering where you were *really* sending your money.

Don't fall for the HSUS pleas - they want your money to continue to legislate pets out of American homes, as was just attempted on a state level in California with AB 1634, a disastrous bill that would have cost local counties millions to enforce (while providing no source of funding) and cut off any California-bred puppies - including police and rescue dogs. The HSUS is against rescue dogs being bred in California. Does that make any sense at all, in our most earthquake-prone state?

So instead of falling for their mailings with photos of dogs they will never assist, write your check to your local shelter or no-kill rescue. There are hundreds of thousands of truly worthy organizations, ones that actually take in animals and help them on a one to one level. You will be able to feel a lot better about where your money goes, because you know you'll be helping animals - not feeding a multi-million dollar lobbying organization that has nothing to do with saving animals.

Find Boris

Where is Boris Weisfeiler?
This week, the Weisfeiler family returns again to Chile to determine the fate of their lost relative, Boris. Delivered to President Bachelet on Monday was a letter signed by 27 U.S. Senators and Representatives, including John Peterson, Edward Kennedy, Barney Frank, John Kerry, and Arlen Specter. This comes on the heels of Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice personally addressing the issue of Boris' fate several weeks ago.

Anna and Olga met with the Judge investigating the case on Tuesday, March 27. Chile operates under a judicial system that places Judges in charge of independent investigations into crimes, so unlike the American system where a police detective might be in charge of the case, in Chile it is a Judicial officer.

On Wednesday afternoon, March 28, the Weisfeilers will meet with U.S. Ambassador Kelly, and hope to schedule a meeting with President Bachelet by the end of the week.

Please keep the pressure on - only through public demands will the governments in both cases feel the need to disclose the true information on Boris' fate. Though President Bachelet has in the past seemed sympathetic and offered to assist, no information has been forthcoming as yet. Please write, fax and call your Senators and Representatives and the Department of State, and even the government of Chile. So long as they know there are people paying attention, they will be give answers. Visit http://www.boris.weisfeiler.com and http://www.findboris.com for more information!

The Honorable Michelle Bachelet
President of Chile
Palacio de La Moneda
Santiago, Chile 6772208

Where is Boris Weisfeiler?

UPDATE!! Olga Weisfeiler and her daughter Anna are heading to Chile in March of 2006. Armed with new correspondence signed by 27 American legislators, they will meet with new President Bachelet to discuss gaining more information about about Boris' fate... Only continued public pressure will get them the information they need. Please keep up your support - more to come after the trip!


Though decades have passed, there is no end to this mystery. Jewish, Russian-born mathematics professor Boris Weisfeiler spent his holidays on tours we would all love to take. Solo hikes through the most desolate but beautiful parts of the world, Boris was an experienced hiker, swimmer, and survivalist. He emigrated to the U.S. in the 1980s and performed remarkable mathematical theoretical work at the Pennsylvania State University. Over Christmas of 1984, he decided to hike the Andes.

He hasn't been heard from since.

Credit card records show that Boris spent time in the south of Chile, and shared with a hotel employee his plans to hike near Parral, and to trek the beautiful mountains that make the border of Chile and Argentina. Unfortunately, circumstances were against him. On that border, that border patrolled by hyper-paranoid anti-Communist Pinochet soldiers, lay an enclave of reconstructed Nazis. Known to the CIA to be training Pinochet men in torture and interrogation, war criminals from WWII frequented the site, called Colonia Dignidad. And around its perimeter was where Boris Weisfeiler walked.

The U.S. State Department, not wanting to disrupt an ally in the anti-Communist movement, made diplomatic requests but never pushed the Chilean government to locate Boris. As time went by, escapees described the torture they endured at the hands of the Colonia inhabitants - and some thought they had seen Weisfeiler, starving and living in slavery.

So why won't anyone help?

That's the million dollar question. Boris' sister Olga came to the U.S. not long after his disappearance, and has made it her life's mission to determine his fate. She has travelled to Chile on more than four occasions, met with Ambassadors, agents, officials, judges, and more. The case has been profiled in the media, including on the front page of the New York Times. And still, no one has answers.

Of late, the former leader of the Colonia, Paul Shaeffer, has been arrested on child molestation charges. The Colonia, now called Villa Bavaria, is in disarray - and the Chilean government plans to excavate areas that are suspected to be corpse dumping grounds. Jewelry, papers and other possessions have been discovered on the Colonia grounds, and worse is expected to turn up.

The only way that Olga will determine what happened to her brother - and the U.S. will stand up and do the right thing in resolving what happened to one of its citizens - is with more and more pressure. The arrest of Pinochet and others is a start, but the coverup must end. The CIA and the State Department must once and for all tell what they know and come forward with whatever misdeeds they were involved in. Remember, this was an American citizen that was left to die a tortured, slow death - and if it happened to him, it can happen to any of us. You think the U.S. will rescue one of its own, who was accused of no wrongdoing in a peaceful, allied country - but State Department documents show that they took no steps whatsoever to recover Boris Weisfeiler.

Please visit http://boris.weisfeiler.com/index.html and read more, about Boris, his life, his disappearance, and his sister's courageous battle. Write letters to your Senators and Congressmen, to the President, to the Secretary of State - and tell them that their inaction is unacceptable. If you take a moment to put yourself in her shoes, imagine what life is like for Olga Weisfeiler. Every day, she wakes up, not knowing, hoping, that someone, somewhere in the world can tell her something about her brother. Now help make it happen.