Finding Common Ground

Obama has mastered the language of compromise and pragmatism and after being disciplined in this last election he has his priorities straight. The Nobel Peace Prize recipient answers his fellow recipient (languishing in a Chinese jail) with a commitment to "fair trade". By selling more things to the Chinese people he advances the cause of "human rights" on both sides, as he and his corporate underwriters understand "rights".

The uncomfortable fact that One Party capitalism is doing so well in China is glossed over in many ways. General Electric, which has been in China for over a hundred years, is no doubt recommending the U.S. political model: Get as many televisions into as many homes as quickly as possible and then invent two Spectacular Parties ( call them the Dragons versus the Carp, for instance) who can "debate the issues". They could quickly get their own Glen Beck installed and a Teddy Kennedy and point to this lively exchange as "dialogue". They can figure out their own version of half-time at the Super Bowl and Tavis Smiley Show.

As for events in Tunisia and Ducky's fear that leftist voices will not be heard in a re-formation, I don't have much to go on. There are pieces on Renegade Eye and Leninology that explain some of the history and balance of forces. If the revolution goes the way of total constitutional overhaul, I think the U.S. and other protectors of neoliberalism will get involved in stopping any contagion.

As it stands now, I think the powerful unions of Tunisia do have a class analysis and the Islamists are moderate enough that a coalition is possible ( though full of tensions) And once again U.S. commentators are in that tricky position of having to explain just why we have backed certain autocratic regimes and not others.

Two of the biggest mysteries to me are Yodoods position on Ayn Rand and Lichanos on man's contribution to global climate change.