Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : View from the Center and Left -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Mary Cluney who wrote (126299)	12/4/2009 12:56:41 PM
From: Katelew	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 542957

The Obama White House revolves around a culture of debate. He leads long, analytic discussions, which bring competing arguments to the fore. He sometimes seems to preside over the arguments like a judge settling a lawsuit. His policies are often a balance as he tries to accommodate different points of view. Interesting. I think Brooks well-described Obama's governance style. He sees this as an asset, though, and I don't. Maybe in another time period, but not now and not in regard to the particular problems the country faces. Obama's compromising, incremental approach is not, IMO, the leadership style the country needs right now. My guess is that it will lead to small, relatively inconsequential progress with regard to deficits, lackluster economic growth, and rising medical and energy costs.

To: Mary Cluney who wrote (126299)	12/5/2009 1:43:05 AM
From: Bread Upon The Water	Respond to of 542957

MC: Let's face it. Pashtuns are diverse but are overall dysfunctional. V: I am not going to pretend to be an expert on the Pashtuns, but a couple of observations. I am not sure they are diverse inasmuch as they are all (for the most part I think) tribal and Islamic. Secondly, they're only dysfunctional if you want them to be "Western" They're pretty functional as tribal Islams. MC: All we can do is define our self interests and then design the appropriate plan to achieve our objectives without creating greater harm to Pashtuns. V: Ahhh--this is where I came in 1968. MC: More often than not, I will disagree with David Brooks, but there are times I can sort of agree with him as in today's column V: We do agree on this. Obama is bending over backwards not to step on any toes. And I'm not sure it's a conscious decision as much as it reflects who he genuinely is.