As IF Times

link Obama gives dire warning at start of nuclear summit – latimes.com.

I am reminded of the famous courtroom scene in the movie, A Few Good Men starring Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson.  In the scene, the dialogue goes something like this:

Cruise:  ” Would you say this placed Private Santiago in danger?”

Nicholson: ” Yes”

Cruise: “Grave danger?”

Nicholson: “Is there any other kind?”

Since Obama has come into office, has anyone noticed that any issue that he addresses will have dire consequences if not immediately acted upon?  There appears to be a stock speech about how awful things are but not as bad as they will become if, “we don’t act decisively”, or the other chestnut, “act swiftly”.   We’ve heard this pattern of rhetorical cliches as applied to the TARP  scheme, to the stimulus package, to healthcare, to global warming, and now to nuclear proliferation.  It gets old and if his credibility has not been spent with the first 1 or 2 dire warnings, its currency is much deflated now. 

None of this would be as galling if it weren’t for the fact that all of the solutions offered are wrong and in direct contrast to his stated rhetoric.  People who keep track of these things may notice that there has no been no bipartisan support for any of his policies, there has been no transparency in policy drafts,  a conspicuous disregard for public opinion and worst of all,  the ratcheting up of government debt and influence upon Americans.  The invoking of the “dire consequences” clause should not be an excuse to implement any old policy that happens to fall into an ideological agenda.  It’s as if he thinks that wrapping everything in an apocalyptic theme will alarm people enough to support his policy directions.  I can’t recall any other president in recent history with as much pessimism as this guy.

I wonder if the hyperbole is something they teach in Harvard law school or is part of his natural character to over dramatize everything.  For instance, I wonder if he has invoked the dire consequences line to his girls when they are reluctant to go to bed.  “Let me be clear, you must act swiftly and go to bed or there will be dire consequences”.  What is interesting about the whole scenario is that the president has NO HISTORY of being able to navigate out of any mess much less those with dire consequences.  There is no track record of any success in building or turning around any venture.  It can be said however that he has a particular familiarity and expertise in using public funds to build a bureaucracy.  Talk about your dire consequences.

link Elizabeth Taylor Denies She’s Getting Married for 9th Time – Elizabeth Taylor : People.com.

Clearly a gal who can write volumes about how to attract if not keep men.  I wonder if she finds it quaint when she is asked to repeat the words, “till death do us part” during the by now, rather routine ceremony. There is absolutely no doubt that Miss Taylor in her younger years easily could cause men to go to war as portrayed in her depiction of Cleopatra in the famous movie with Richard Burton. 

Clearly, her beauty and mystique  captivated men from all stations in life as demonstrated by her subsequent 6 or 7 husbands which ranged from tradesmen to congressmen.  In fairness, Richard Burton is double counted, but now even at the graceful age of 78, there’s obviously something about Liz.  Though she denies it, the recent rumours surround her manager, a relatively pubescent 49 year old.  I think it’s all good.  In a society where nubile women are plentiful, men still find that Liz has that certain something that makes them want to make her their Mrs. Next.  I can think of no one today in the pop entertainment world that exudes the regal presence that she conveys.  Anyone who reads her biography will see that she has led an eventful, varied and rich life, probably equal to the experiences of at least 3 people. She has something more to offer than timeless beauty.  Good for Dame Elizabeth.  Just goes to show you, class is timeless.