GM's present crisis is not new. Like most things in the Midwest, resistance to change is as important as whatever else is important out there. But I haven't been to Michigan. I like Illinois and Chicago, Missouri, Ohio. Been to a MN airport once, and to Wisconsin- I like Wisconsin too. But aside from calling the auto industry, 'Detroit', I look forward instead of backward.
This morning's Philadelphia Inquirer had a letter from a smart fellow about all the items we could address tactically around the Dark Continent, and I've left it upstairs. Of course. Here:
John Prendergast.
President Obama (I said it. I'll say it again: "President Obama." Do it. It feels AWESOME.*) is right about prioritizing the financial meltdown. He's made a committment to offer a hand to drowning RNC types, which is only fair. They're going to suffer fair wages, more healthcare, workplace safety, regulation of the bond market, less graft and profiteering, new profitable industries whose stock they don't own. You don't need to be convinced there's new money in new industries, right? Especially if the economic shipwreck leads to smaller and less centralized distribution chains... How many jobs are there in the gas stations, and how many will come if we give a lift to that industry? Resting case now.
The hardware store on the corner isn't a public company, but the distribution network they're in essentially is. So, if my neighbor can't get nails into his store we'll be unable to buy nails. Thank you, globalization. I don't care if Wal-Mart has to start paying cash to move the boxcars of HD LCD TVs from Podunk, China. I see a net benefit in getting meat and chickens from a local farm instead of from BJs wholesale club. It'll cost about the same soon anyway. Whatever your angle, we need big boats loaded with nails to arrive on time with nails, which come from China.
So we should start with the immediate flyswat opportunity: pirates need their asses kicked, and the fight has to start off the northeast quarter of Africa. My President said it's important to be able to focus on more than one thing, and this is a task he can carry out by remote control. I can feel the morale making my arm hairs stand up. "Wow, the Unted States of America squashed a bug for the world," they'd say. I'm not ignoring the timing, and would be surprised if the 10-year terrorism clock didn't come early this time. But the whole world faces the same set of serious finanically-derived calamities, and this pirate thing appears to be localized today. End it with something giant. Risk losing the vessels and crews. Make certain the pirates' death by shark, drowning, burning, impalement with shrapnel, scurvy. Can't we just call in strikes from satellite? I read somewhere that Bin Laden himself owns a fleet of ocean-going cargo ships...But we have to fix Africa to succeed.
Russia and Venezuela won't benefit, but the developing world and Europe will. China will, and that's okay, we really need cheap now.
So here's the perfect storm:
In every other country I've visited, you have to worry about gun-totin' police or government death squads. But seriously: Watch out if the Americans are comin'.
Dispatch the Minutemen, skinheads, rednecks, Irish, Italians, Sarah Palin, anybody with a 'flair' for the 'direct', to the Gulf, but far enough from the beach to skirt sovereignty issues. Give them a floatilla, complete with hospital and heliport. And lots of guns. As military contractors discover their hands being tied by sudden accountability in Iraq, just put them on boats and let them patrol the high seas free of civil liability. Just make sure they stay on the reservation. Use our Navy footprint to ensure smooth flow of petroleum and nails.
Chavez learns piety as he watches US investment in African domestic oil production, then decreases aid payments as the growth of institutions and infrastructure starts creating order and health. Yes, we might have to break a few jaws there too. Sorry. War is bad. It is. Horrible. That's why I recommend we call it a humanitarian mission to deliver northeast Africa from lawlessness and violence with a clear, grounded kickin' of pirate ass.
And if it goes south, at least we'll have control of the shipping lanes.
*!!!!!
