This week Thomas L. Friedman argues in an op-ed in the New York Times that George Bush doesn't have an heir apparent and that this is a problem for him. Bush's Dick Cheney problem is caused by the fact that VP Cheney has declared that he's not running from President in 2008, which weakens the purpose of Bush's second term.
"If President Bush had a vice president, or someone who was clearly designated as heir apparent to his administration, [the president] would have a more immediate incentive to widen his political base, to offer policies that would appeal more to the center." Instead, Bush runs an agenda that doesn't worry too much about how his successor will fare.
Since I wouldn't mind if Bush went into a wall and completely committed political suicide, I should be very happy to hear this as it would pave the wave for a democratic election victory in 2008. However, I think that there is indeed an heir apparent, and that person is Condoleezza Rice, even if she's waiting behind the scenes at the moment, something that Friedman fails to address in his op-ed. She's not the VP yet but if Cheney steps down, for health reasons or because he's asked to in order to pave the way for Rice, she'll be the No 1 threat to the Democrats.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Another meme
I came across another meme. Topic: clothes and attire
1. How many bags and pairs of shoes do you own?
I think I have four purses, two backpacks, and three or four dressy bags, to go with my three (yes, you read me right) ball dresses. I also have at least five suitcases if those are included in "bags". My four purses/bags are far from enough, and at least one is a bit worn and torn, so I definitely need to go shopping!
I probably have about 30 pairs of shoes (including sandals and flip flops) but I probably wear just 10 of them on a regular basis. Probably less even, but that was before I was able to buy four shoes for less than the price of one through work (a client who is a shoe manufacturer). I do care about animal rights in general (try to buy organic and ethical food stuffs) but as far as shoes are concerned I prefer buying leather than sweating in synthetiv materials!
2. What was the last thing you bought?
If I remember correctly it was the aforementioned shoes.
3. What was the best thing you've ever bought?
It has to be my olive green ball dress - I love it and it's always a hit with people commenting on it, etc. I wonder when I will have an opportunity to wear it again though..? Since I left Oxford I haven't been invited to that many balls..
4. The worst?
Lots of things. Stuff I have bought and worn only once, or never. But I can't think of anything that I have absolutely detested.
5. Name three people you will pass this on to?
Anyone with a blog is welcome to take it. But I also want to especially invite Johanna (work colleague who's very into clothes), Elisavet (who does risky shopping on eBay), and Åsa (who has had the experience of meeting a personal shopper at Debenhams). Use Comments for your lists!
1. How many bags and pairs of shoes do you own?
I think I have four purses, two backpacks, and three or four dressy bags, to go with my three (yes, you read me right) ball dresses. I also have at least five suitcases if those are included in "bags". My four purses/bags are far from enough, and at least one is a bit worn and torn, so I definitely need to go shopping!
I probably have about 30 pairs of shoes (including sandals and flip flops) but I probably wear just 10 of them on a regular basis. Probably less even, but that was before I was able to buy four shoes for less than the price of one through work (a client who is a shoe manufacturer). I do care about animal rights in general (try to buy organic and ethical food stuffs) but as far as shoes are concerned I prefer buying leather than sweating in synthetiv materials!
2. What was the last thing you bought?
If I remember correctly it was the aforementioned shoes.
3. What was the best thing you've ever bought?
It has to be my olive green ball dress - I love it and it's always a hit with people commenting on it, etc. I wonder when I will have an opportunity to wear it again though..? Since I left Oxford I haven't been invited to that many balls..
4. The worst?
Lots of things. Stuff I have bought and worn only once, or never. But I can't think of anything that I have absolutely detested.
5. Name three people you will pass this on to?
Anyone with a blog is welcome to take it. But I also want to especially invite Johanna (work colleague who's very into clothes), Elisavet (who does risky shopping on eBay), and Åsa (who has had the experience of meeting a personal shopper at Debenhams). Use Comments for your lists!
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Book chain
Apparently "chain letters" are getting popular within the blogging community. I stumbled upon one which really suites my tastes, a book chain.
1. Number of books I own: Well, counting the ones at my parents and in my basement in addition to the ones in my bookshelves, I'd say 300.
2. The last book I bought: I'm a book-a-holic so I buy tons of books both online, from book clubs and in shops, but I think the latest one was The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I didn't read it yet though because they need to sit on the shelf and mature a bit before I dig into them..
3. Last book I read: Uppdrag mamma, a Swedish book about motherhood, and currently The Meaning of Everything by Simon Winchester.
4. Five books that mean a lot to me:
There are few books I re-read so I'd have to list a few I've read recently:
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. Quite a recent book but it really should be a textbook; it gets you so interested in science, history, linguistics, everything! Most of his other books are excellent too, e.g. about the English language.
I'd also have to say "The Meaning of Everything", mentioned above. Since it's about my alma mater by extension and written in such a funny way, I'm really enjoying it.
Another great book is "The Curious Incident with the Dog at Nighttime by Mark Haddon. Since I have a brother who's handicapped/disabled/mentally challenged or whatever the term one prefers, a book about an autistic boy really appeals to me.
Not recently, but Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. I read it back in high school when most of my classmates were reading these 1-200 page works..
A children's book I can't remember the title of but which is about a boy whose dog gets run over by a car and dies. I'd make my dad read it to me when I was little just because he always cried and I liked to see that sensitive side of him.. I know, I'm cruel.. I should mention that the little boy gets a new dog from a shelter so the story has a happy ending.
Lastly I'd have to add all of Astrid Lindgren's books; about Pippi Longtocking, Ronja the Robber's Daughter, and all the rest of them.
So now, your turn, keep the chain going!
1. Number of books I own: Well, counting the ones at my parents and in my basement in addition to the ones in my bookshelves, I'd say 300.
2. The last book I bought: I'm a book-a-holic so I buy tons of books both online, from book clubs and in shops, but I think the latest one was The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I didn't read it yet though because they need to sit on the shelf and mature a bit before I dig into them..
3. Last book I read: Uppdrag mamma, a Swedish book about motherhood, and currently The Meaning of Everything by Simon Winchester.
4. Five books that mean a lot to me:
There are few books I re-read so I'd have to list a few I've read recently:
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. Quite a recent book but it really should be a textbook; it gets you so interested in science, history, linguistics, everything! Most of his other books are excellent too, e.g. about the English language.
I'd also have to say "The Meaning of Everything", mentioned above. Since it's about my alma mater by extension and written in such a funny way, I'm really enjoying it.
Another great book is "The Curious Incident with the Dog at Nighttime by Mark Haddon. Since I have a brother who's handicapped/disabled/mentally challenged or whatever the term one prefers, a book about an autistic boy really appeals to me.
Not recently, but Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. I read it back in high school when most of my classmates were reading these 1-200 page works..
A children's book I can't remember the title of but which is about a boy whose dog gets run over by a car and dies. I'd make my dad read it to me when I was little just because he always cried and I liked to see that sensitive side of him.. I know, I'm cruel.. I should mention that the little boy gets a new dog from a shelter so the story has a happy ending.
Lastly I'd have to add all of Astrid Lindgren's books; about Pippi Longtocking, Ronja the Robber's Daughter, and all the rest of them.
So now, your turn, keep the chain going!
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Monday, June 13, 2005
Quoted in the blogosphere
A bit of self-promotion. It doesn't happen that often - I really have to increase my readership - but it proves that someone is reading my blog. NEI Nuclear Notes notes the reaction to the shutdown of the Barsebäck nuclear reactor by providing links to both those condemning it versus applauding it, and those who are a bit more hesitated towards taking a stand, i.e. me.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Swedish milestones
Today was quite a big day in Sweden. The nuclear plant Barsebäck was shut down at midnight, after almost 30 years in service. While other countries are doing the opposite and building new plants (e.g. Finland), Sweden is implementing the results of a 1980 referendum. One reactor at Barsebäck was shut down in 1999 and now in 2005, the second and last one is on its last legs (it will actually take years to properly close operations).
I haven't really made up my mind yet what I think of it.. In a way, it is a decision that has been taken through a democratic process.. but shouldn't such decisions be amendable, as circumstances and scientific "truth" change? Because it isn't clear whether nuclear is that bad compared to if the shutting down of Barsebäck means that Sweden has to import more coal-produced energy from abroad. Maybe it's a necessary evil. On the other hand, environmentalists and one group of politicians (usually the centre left and the left) argue that we need to step away from a debate centered on the choice between two evils. By reducing Swedish reliance on nuclear energy we can push the development of alternative energy such as biofuels and solar power (wind and water power is just a small part). As long as we keep all reactors (Barsebäck is not the only plant in Sweden), that development will never gain momentum. I'm kind of attracted to this sentiment, while at the same time thinking that I would prefer shutting down dangerous nuclear plants in other countries, e.g. the former USSR, before closing the relatively safe Swedish ones. Though "safe" is not a term I really want to use in this context. The Barsebäck director mentioned on TV this morning that it will take 8 years before the work with the decontamination of the plant can even begin, before they can even enter the place.. And the issue of where to store it is far from resolved. But by 2013 a Right-wing government might have re-started the reactor, which they plan to do should they come to power in September 2006...
The other milestone which was crossed at midnight was that Sweden imposed a smoking ban at all restaurants and bars, following in the footsteps of Ireland, Italy and some American states. This is a decision that I have no problem with whatsoever!
I haven't really made up my mind yet what I think of it.. In a way, it is a decision that has been taken through a democratic process.. but shouldn't such decisions be amendable, as circumstances and scientific "truth" change? Because it isn't clear whether nuclear is that bad compared to if the shutting down of Barsebäck means that Sweden has to import more coal-produced energy from abroad. Maybe it's a necessary evil. On the other hand, environmentalists and one group of politicians (usually the centre left and the left) argue that we need to step away from a debate centered on the choice between two evils. By reducing Swedish reliance on nuclear energy we can push the development of alternative energy such as biofuels and solar power (wind and water power is just a small part). As long as we keep all reactors (Barsebäck is not the only plant in Sweden), that development will never gain momentum. I'm kind of attracted to this sentiment, while at the same time thinking that I would prefer shutting down dangerous nuclear plants in other countries, e.g. the former USSR, before closing the relatively safe Swedish ones. Though "safe" is not a term I really want to use in this context. The Barsebäck director mentioned on TV this morning that it will take 8 years before the work with the decontamination of the plant can even begin, before they can even enter the place.. And the issue of where to store it is far from resolved. But by 2013 a Right-wing government might have re-started the reactor, which they plan to do should they come to power in September 2006...
The other milestone which was crossed at midnight was that Sweden imposed a smoking ban at all restaurants and bars, following in the footsteps of Ireland, Italy and some American states. This is a decision that I have no problem with whatsoever!
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