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Author Archives: Carl Coon
Persuasion versus Coercion
Persuasion is generally ok, coercion is not. Philanthropy can be a tricky business; the donor should try to see himself as the recipient sees him. The Komen case and a current spat with Egypt are cases in point. Continue reading
Advice for a Declining Superpower
We need to play the influence game more intelligently if our long term strategy is to succeed. More brains, less brawn. Continue reading
Reframing the debate
The Occupy Wall Street movement may have saved the country from a revolution, if it has persuaded enough voters that the important debate in this country is not about the deficit, it is about fairness. Continue reading
China and Australia, (Geopolitics Near and Far)
Obama has reaffirmed our strategic commitment to Australia. This should not by itself upset China too much. Meanwhile, think Antarctica. Continue reading
You Can’t Give Something to Nobody
If we want to stop being the world’s policeman, to whom do we turn over our badge? If we can get over our prejudice against the UN, it’s a logical choice. Continue reading
Posted in On the Lighter Side, Progressive Humanism, Topical Issues
Tagged Israel, National security, US foreign policy
2 Comments
Moral Implications for Differing Reproductive Strategies
In judging the value of an animal’s life, should we consider the reproductive strategy of its species? How about humans? Continue reading
Posted in Progressive Humanism
Tagged morality, reproductive strategies, value of a human life
1 Comment
Political Evolution and the Tea Party
If civilization is like climbing a mountain, the Tea Party types are suffering from altitude sickness. Continue reading
Posted in Progressive Humanism, Topical Issues
Tagged altitude sickness, cultural evolution, Tea Party
2 Comments
Deutschland Ueber Alles
German economic power within Europe shows the fruit of its work ethic but also has lessons for the USA in the present deficit crisis Continue reading
When Terrorists have Drones
When terroists get drones we shall face a truly vital challenge. Continue reading
Is Our Country in Trouble and What Do We Do About It?
The world is getting out of control, at least by us, and we need to cut back. While we still have the clout, we should refashion the UN to take over our role as world policeman. Continue reading
Difficult Choice
Obama faces a difficult choice, whether the US abstains or vetoes when the Palestine statehood issue comes to the UN Security Council in September. We should abstain. Continue reading
The US Intervention in Yemen
In Yemen, we’re letting a fixation on al-Qaeda get us bogged down in yet another Arab country. Continue reading
Money and Power
Why do the very rich resist higher income taxes? It’s not just greed, it’s because money and power are fungible. Continue reading
Posted in Topical Issues
Tagged Deficit, Income taxes for the very wealthy, Koch brothers
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French propose another Middle East conference
The French are proposing a Paris conference to have another go at the Palestine issue. I suspect this trial balloon will fizzle fairly fast, but if you think about it, it isn’t such a bad idea. Continue reading
Posted in Topical Issues
Tagged French proposal for a Middle East onference, Israel, Palestine, UN, US veto
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An anniversary in Nepal, with reflections on monarchy
Ten years ago the monarchy in Nepal committed suicide and after a short interregnum, democracy was born. The birth may well have been premature, but it has survived so far, and we wish it well. Continue reading
Words of Wisdom from East Asia
There is a middle way for our country between world policeman and isolationism, as veteran statesman Lee Kwan Yew of Singapore suggests. Continue reading
Obama’s Speech to Aipac
The President’s message to Israel could not have been much clearer: “time is running out, we cannot play this game much longer, it’s time to sit down and get serious about peace.” It’s serious, it’s timely (though overdue), and deserves the support of all thinking Americans. Continue reading
All’s Well that Ends Well
The party is over and everyone, with the possible exception of surviving Al Qaeda malcontents, is happy, or should be. So let nasty questions about who knew what when go. All’s well that ends well. Continue reading
Posted in Topical Issues
1 Comment
Osama bin Laden, r.i.p.
The extraction and elimination of Osama bin Laden was that rarest of all tidings from the Middle East. It was good news. Continue reading
Posted in Topical Issues
4 Comments
Royal Wedding
The popular frenzy over the royal wedding shows that we share with the Brits a nostalgia for the bad old ways of monarchy, even though we both know better. Continue reading
Posted in Progressive Humanism, Topical Issues
2 Comments