I thought of this cartoon this morning when I read (Washington Post article) that investors are rushing to take money out of the Kabul Bank, creating worries that there might be a panic and the bank might collapse. The bank holds the assets that are used to pay teachers, policemen and soldiers. Just one more threat to the stability of Afghanistan.
Apparently Washington is wondering if it should help shore up the bank but is worried about the political backlash. Well, yeah. The idea sure does rattle the bars of my cage. 🙂
What do you think?
I think people should know what they are trying to do when they go to war. There is an interesting book about this by a guy (or maybe two) from Westpoint called Unintended Consequences.
Gee, politicians worried about political backlash.
Imagine that. I think there’s going to be a lot of politicians that are going to be unable to avoid their future in the backlash of angry/disillusioned voters come November.
Why are we trying to make other countries better when the U.S. is going to Hell (…in a hand basket. What does that mean anyway?)
Evan,
Bush and the Neoconservatives knew what they wanted…to spread democracy in the Middle East, improve the lives of people there and make the area more stable. Needless to say they were very naive.
Mike,
The question is will the new guys be any better? Or will the voters be just as angry and disillusioned two years from now?
bikehikebabe,
The ancient Greeks had a word for such overreaching…hubris:
1. pride or arrogance
2. (Literary & Literary Critical Terms) (in Greek tragedy) an excess of ambition, pride, etc., ultimately causing the transgressor’s ruin
Hell in a handbasket–apparently we don’t know the origin of the term. The important thing is the alliteration of the word “handbasket” gives the phrase “going to Hell” more emphasis.
Jean, if I say anything, I will get into trouble with you! I therefore shall simply say, wait and watch. Supernatural powers will solve the problems in that difficult part of the world. Mere mortals cannot.
If the current regime in that country weakens, this might not be in U.S. interests. As Rummuser suggests, wait and watch might be the wisest thing to do..
I have no comment – seems a bit above my head today
Although, I’m not any where near the Earthquake devastation here in NZ it just seems terribly close to my core. The quake was in Christchurch, South Island and I’m in the upper half of the North Island so we didn’t get any aftershocks here…no one was killed, maybe because it was when most people would’ve still been in bed @ 4.30am this morning
Rummuser,
No doubt! 🙂
gaelikaa,
I’m afraid things will get worse before they get better. But I agree, we will just have to wait and see.
Cathy,
When I read about the earthquake I thought of you. But I know you’re on the North Island so didn’t worry. Thanks for letting us know. I’m glad no one was hurt.
My cage is easily rattled. Or rather I rattle the bars when I feel caged (which is often). I wish I were a bank. Though I am already quite adept at paying Peter by robbing Paul.
U
Ursula,
Some banks are doing quite well…unfortunately some of that is because the American taxpayer is paying for the managements’ mistakes. We’ll have to see if that support extends to Afghanistan. You can’t blame them for trying.
Here I am, Jean, at least twice a day, logging on to your stress to power (although in my case (dis)stress adds little to my powers) hoping you’d lift my spirit by getting my mind off the fact that I am terrible at remembering finely crafted and perfectly simple passwords (even wordpress and my very own bitchy blog have – just now – given me a thirty minute reprieve before I am allowed again; I only tried about 55 times – if there is one thing I am it it’s persistent (hate it – will be my downfall). If wordpress were parents they’d be summoned to court by social services for child cruelty. What do they want? Blood? Bruises? Bad language? The difference between scientists like you and people like myself whose mind is being besieged by little air bubbles whilst you hold a “result” in your mind. And before I can bloody remember my “password” the bubble has burst; never to be retrieved. Which, in my darker moments, I think not a particular loss. Still – one needs to have compassion for thoughts out there in the wilderness with not a breadcrumb in sight to find their way back.
I could go on, waving my wet handkerchief, but I won’t since scientists, young men, both my sisters, Grannymar and men (with the exception of Magpie) are not exactely blessed with patience: Most of you want results. Well, sometimes there is just stillstand and steamed up glasses for the shortsighted amongst us.
Feeling a lot better now,
U
Ursula,
Thank you for the chuckle. 🙂 If a website doesn’t have that little link, “Forgot your password?”, it’s hopeless for me. They know that I will forget so they just send it to my e-mail address.