Niall Ferguson and David Petraeus on Ukraine

Interesting Q&A between historian Niall Ferguson and General David Petraeus on the war in Ukraine. 

Many interesting points were raised but this was one I think was overlooked by most:

By contrast, it's a mystery to me [Petraeus] as to what the Russians accomplished in all the training, manoeuvres and exercises that they conducted for months on the border just east of Ukraine and in Belarus. It's very clear to me that they were camping not training.

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

I have 99 problems but a busted bracket ain't one of them. Another year and no brackets filled out - give them up already... Heh heh - wisdom from a WWII veteran... Georgetown's nickname of Hoyas means "what rocks!" in Greek. Based upon their performance in the NCAA these past few years - I wonder what is Greek for "what bricks!"... David Petraeus - ISIS is not our biggest problem in Iraq, Iran is... The Mesopotamian god of the moon was called Sin which is appropriate since most "sins" occur at night... This issue could be loaded with irony. Coal plants are needed to protect the manatees... A TV show called Rick Santorum Vatican Spy would be awesome. It would be a cross between The West Wing and Archer... Excellent point - Starbucks wants to talk race relations but they have no stores in Selma, Fergueon or other mostly black communities. Hypocritical posers... So what is killing the bees?...

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

On this date in 1901, Teddy Roosevelt delivered his "speak softly but carry a big stick speech". Today's President it seems has his own version - "speak off the cuff and carry no stick at all"... Penzoil mentioning in their new commercial that they know you sometimes use your car as a "baby-maker" is kinda creepy... President George W Bush's policy regarding Syria was one of isolation. The mess today is due solely to President Obama with assists to Pelosi, Clinton, and Kerry... Very cool interview of Jack Handey... When Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech during the march on Washington - Charlton Heston was on stage next to him as one of his body guards. If Heston was alive today do you think he'd be allowed anywhere near the stage? Good enough for MLK but not good enough for today's crowd... The science behind Sarin Gas... Having a guy like David Petraeus who had "been there, done that" when it comes to the military would have been helpful to the Obama Administration right about now... Excellent behind the scenes look at ESPN's College Game Day... Saw a commercial that was basically about using the Snuggie as a sex aid. "When the kids go to bed - that's when we break out the Snuggie". Roger Sterling probably thought that one up when on LSD... Jack Handey's Guards' Complaints About Spartacus...

Paul Ryan as VP?

The Wall Street Journal touts Paul Ryan as the best choice for Mitt Romney's running mate.

As much as I like General Petraeus - I think they are correct. When it comes to the economy - Paul Ryan is a serious candidate. He's put together a budget and as much as the Democrats may not like it that's something that the Democrats have not managed to do for the entire term of the Obama Presidency.

How can President Obama slam Paul Ryan's budget when the one Obama sent to Congress was so unserious that it didn't get a single vote in the House or Senate. NOT A SINGLE VOTE!

Paul Ryan as VP would force the discussion to be about the economy. And more importantly about Obama's performance in the economy.

I'd be really happy with Paul Ryan as VP and General Petraeus as Secretary of State.

General Petraeus

Interesting look at the possibility of Mitt Romney choosing General David Petraeus as his running mate. I've been touting Petreaus as the best choice for VP for over a year. One thing not mentioned is how Petraeus would destroy Joe Biden in any debates (as an aside - I think there will be only one VP debate this year as the Obama Campaign looks to minimize self-inflicted Biden damage).

The article also reminded me of this post from 5 years ago. Especially this quote:

"'No one wants to call [Petraeus] a liar on national TV,' noted one Democratic senator, who spoke on the condition on anonymity. 'The expectation is that the outside groups will do this for us.'"