| The Kensington Review |
17 April 2006 |
| Latest Commentary: | Volume V, Number 46 |
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Pentagon Circles the Wagons around Rumsfeld -- In just a few days, the War in Iraq will have gone on longer than the Korean War. While the American casualties are fewer in Mesopotamia, the inconclusiveness of the current conflict is even more stunning than the war 50 years ago. This time, the enemy hasn’t stymied America; it’s own leaders have. Several retired generals have asked for Donald Rumsfeld to resign as Secretary of Defense, and the Pentagon has lashed out defending him. Strategically, the Bush Administration would benefit from throwing him overboard.
Nepal Tipping toward Chaos -- In recent years, the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal has had a problem with Maoist rebels trying to topple the rather democratic system there. Since the government of the day failed, King Gyanendra sacked the cabinet back in February 2005 and assumed direct powers to rule rather than reign. He has been trying to convince the people ever since that he only wants to crush the rebels, and then he’ll restore democracy. With an opposition led general strike entering its 12th day now, it’s safe to say His Majesty hasn’t convinced very many. It is a cautionary tale. Sandy Weill Leaves Citigroup -- Citigroup’s chairman Sanford “Sandy” Weill will hold his last shareholders’ meeting tomorrow at Carnegie Hall in New York. This isn’t a surprise, having been announced about two and a half years ago. Charles Prince, his protégé, takes over. Mr. Prince has some large shoes to fill. Samuel Beckett at 100 -- For being a famous person, Samuel Beckett avoided notoriety as best a Nobel laureate can. So, among the vast mass of English-speaking humanity, many get him confused with Thomas a Becket, the former Archbishop of Canterbury who was murdered in 1170. Were he alive on his 100th birthday, which passed last week, Mr. Beckett would have been appalled at the celebrations in his honor. Too bad, Sam. © Copyright 2006 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux. |
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