Timetables

McCain yesterday on CNN discussing timetables:

First the Iraqi government gave Senator Barack Obama a boost by seeming to embrace his proposal for a 16-month timetable for withdrawing American troops from Iraq. But could Senator John McCain, who built his candidacy in large part on his opposition to a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq, possibly be following suit?

“I think it’s a pretty good timetable,” Mr. McCain said Friday in an interview on CNN’s “The Situation Room,’’ before adding that it should be based “on the conditions on the ground.’’

For months Mr. McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, has railed against setting timetables for withdrawing from Iraq, and has criticized Mr. Obama, his Democratic rival, for suggesting one. But in recent days the debate has shifted as Iraqi officials, including Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, moved closer to Mr. Obama’s position.

In the interview on CNN Mr. McCain first seemed to downplay any possibility that Mr. Maliki would actually ask for the United States to withdraw its troops in the next 16 months to two years. “He won’t,’’ he said, explaining that he knows Mr. Maliki well.

Then, asked why he thinks Mr. Maliki had called 16 months a pretty good timetable, Mr. McCain gave his enigmatic answer.

“He said it’s a pretty good timetable based on conditions on the ground,’’ Mr. McCain said. “I think it’s a pretty good timetable, as we should — or horizons for withdrawal. But they have to be based on conditions on the ground. This success is very fragile. It’s incredibly impressive, but very fragile. So we know, those of us who have been involved in it for many years, know that if we reverse this, by setting a date for withdrawal, all of the hard-won victory can be reversed.’’

Now, can someone educate me on the whole Iraq-Pakistan border issue and the subsequent CBS editing of the interview to mitigate matters for McCain?

Addendum: Obama in Berlin, Ich bin nicht Bush. You can find the whole speech pretty easily at Youtube.

Second addendum: Great post at Kos entitled “McCain tries to throw election, Media won’t let him.” For those who can’t generate the energy to hit the link, here are the last two paragraphs:

Meanwhile the situation has risen to the level of Theater of the Absurd. The media is now hammering the theme that they are favoring Obama. I always knew that the Right would push this theme, but they don’t have to. It is now all over the news. Apparently equal coverage is required for a speech before 20 in Berlin, Ohio and a speech before 200,000 in Berlin, Germany. Obama was gracious enough to take the McCain advice and make the trip, now he is being accused of overstepping his role as a candidate.The media’s motivation is not a mystery, rather a multiple choice question. Clearly they have an interest in keeping the race competitive. They have always been intimidated by claims they have a liberal bias. They seem to crave respect from the right wing audience, and they seem to also crave Senator McCain’s friendship. Or perhaps it is out of deference to a preexisting good relationship with the Senator that they are showing him such kindness.

Meanwhile, the post title of the week from Jake Tapper: “New McCain ad bashes Obama for not visiting the troops using footage of Obama visiting the troops.”

I’m back

Too tired to type out much right now. I feel refreshed however. I camped with great community. Got some good reading done. Learned that I’m actually a fairly close relative of a great Danish author. Managed to start some training the fall half-marathon. My kids didn’t want to leave. I learned to like mushroom ice cream.

That’s the short version. I’ll try to elaborate a bit tomorrow.

I need to catch up on the KHSU firing controversy. I actually had some of the story ahead of time, but I was sworn to secrecy to protect the innocent. It sounds like HSU needs a serious shake-up, but I’ve only heard one side. I’ll check out Heraldo’s post and thread and maybe comment tomorrow.

I’ve been reading Justice Souter’s biography, and the man is more fascinating than I’d imagined. I’ll be drafting an article for submission entitled “Does the Left Owe Justice Souter an Apology?” I’m of course referring to some who vehemently opposed his appointment back in my first year of law school, including myself. We do owe him an apology.

Oh, and what do you get when you combine a Unitarian with a Jehovah’s Witness? Someone who knocks on your door for no particular reason. Hey, whether you’re amused by the joke probably determines whether you’re a “holy Dane” or a “happy Dane.”

All my cats are accounted for. Life is good.

Diesel meeting

Announcing:

COMMUNITY MEETING ON DIESEL

How can we solve the problems caused by diesel-based cultivation in our region? These problems have at times severely impacted our community. Locally there have been diesel spills and pollution of drinking water, dumped crankcase oil, fires escaping into wildlands, air and noise pollution, inappropriate use of cancer-causing chemicals, and other serious problems. All the public is invited to participate in a discussion and brainstorming session to seize upon ways to change these behaviors so as to end the damage to our community and its environment.

Meeting organizers noted that “We know there are good ideas out there and the energy to put them into use. People need to be informed and to talk to their neighbors. Community awareness can go a long way to helping end these conflicts.” The adverse impacts of growing marijuana indoors will be discussed.

Longtime environmental activist Robert Sutherland was more candid. “Nearly all rural structure fires, and many town ones, originate from indoor marijuana grows. How long before one of these grow fires gets away and burns homes and people?” He added, “Sure, it’s an outlaw industry, but illegal does not have to mean irresponsible. We need to do more now to get at these big-time threats.”

Southern Humboldt County resident Juna Berry Madrone said that “Accidents from inadequate diesel containment and funky wiring could destroy a watershed or burn a forest. The dangers posed by these potential disasters outweighs individual property rights.”

Organizers of the meeting are hoping many will come forth to share ideas, pledge energy, and learn what their neighbors think about these matters. It’s an opportunity for anyone to get involved. A shift away from diesel methods will be encouraged.

The meeting is at Veteran’s Hall in Garberville from 7 to 9 pm on Wednesday, July 30. A professional facilitator will moderate. Veteran’s Hall is located on Conger Street behind the Best Western Motel. Those wishing more information may telephone 223-1884.