Daniel Lubetzky

Robert Redford plays a Professor at a Stanford-like California liberal arts university with an urgent message for his students about the imperative of not leaving governance and public service to the despots, the bureaucrats and the political animals.  Even if, no, particularly if, things look bad, service is that much more needed, and giving it your best is what is important.

The title of the movie comes from an analogy from the World War I to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Germans in the first world war used to admire the British soldiers on the front as courageous and determined but they considered their generals mediocre.  One German General said something along the lines of, "Never have I seen so many lions commanded by such lambs." Redford’s character feels the same is true of the idealistic young men who volunteered to serve their country in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Too bad the movie has several moments that feel contrived, either because of an overly didactic script or because of the editing.  But the movie is worth watching because of several compelling observations, even if some are forced in.

The core message of not turning to apathy just because things are bad is very much applicable to the world we live in today.  It is such an easy cop-out to complain and be cynical.  It takes more work to do something about it.

I have been arguing to all who’d listen that in the end of the day, the 3 remaining candidates are all formidable possible leaders and we are lucky to end with them.  They all have some weaknesses, but overall their strengths greatly outweigh their weaknesses.

There is nothing like a well-thought-out set of op-eds to cause you some pause.

With regard to Obama, David Ignatius raises some valid and challenging questions here.

With regard to McCain, George Will poses 5 core questions to him here.

And to Clinton, besides the many columns that Frank Rich and many others have been writing, this Wall Street Journal article from Peggy Noonan is quite devastating.  Clinton is a real policy-wonk, but inspiring the nation is a critical aspect of any presidency and there is doubt whether she can accomplish, or whether her presidency would be more defined by division.

Which of them will answer these questions best?

The articles are also pasted below.

[Read more →]

Here is a note I got today from one of our team members in Gaza:

I know well that you understand the sensitivity of the day to day situation in Gaza, we absolutely experiences the conflict between the moderate people who live unacceptable and unbelievable life and the extremists who enjoy the role they play in governing the others, I’m not the only one who analyze current Gaza as it is now, in short we live in a miserable condition, there is nothing reach the minimum standards starting from the rule of law and not ending by the milk and the medicines for the children.

For one second don’t ever think that we gave up or we hesitate in acting for the goodness of our people and for OV message, we are doing our best to remain in contact with the necessarily people in Gaza and we enlarging our circle day by day, our action may not covered by media or documented by photos but personally and on behalf of [my team] I confirm that we are happy by every step that we take forward toward our goal.

I wrote earlier about how the American primaries have been a wonderful showcase of democracy at work. 

Everywhere I have been traveling lately, from Tel Aviv to Ramallah, from Mexico City to Sydney, Australia, people are fascinating with the US elections. 

The only scary thing that will bring us back is if the Obama-Clinton competition is not resolved in an orderly fashion by the people.  If Florida/Michigan delegates become an issue, or if the super-delegates end up crowning the nominee at odds with the vote of the people, it will bring us back to the Bush-Gore elections debacle and make American democracy look like a banana republic.

In this context it is good news that it seems like Senator Obama is establishing a firm lead and Senator Clinton is demonstrating remarkable elegance in accepting the will of the people.

One of the most insightful articles to cover the American political
landscape and elections dynamics, is Michael Oreskes’ ‘The Party
Animal Either Plays Well Or Fights Well,’ [available here] in the New York Times Week in Review of Feb 3 2008.  Don’t let its dumb title, presumably assigned by yet another editor that underestimates his readers, turn you off.  The article is among the best and most on-target expositions of the
philosophies underlying today’s candidates, and their historical line.

For another deeper historical tackle at these competing styles is the
book ‘Crusaders vs. Pragmatists’ from Dr. John Stoessinger.

Sent from my iPhone – pardon typos
.

Barack Obama’s sweeping victory this weekend – he won all 3 states, Washington, Nebraska, and Louisiana, overwhelmingly – was an opportunity for him to show humility, to speak a little more about our shared responsibility to strengthen our country and our world and be global stewards to each other.  It was also an opportunity for him to speak a little bit about policy and vision – yes, to inspire, but to do so with some meat.  Most important, it was an opportunity to make it about "us."  Instead, the initial over-use of "my" and "me" felt like bragging about success with an undertone of entitlement and righteousness, and overshadowed his good moments. 

It is clear he is trying to assure voters that he can gain the nomination, that he can beat McCain, and that he can run the country.  But his speech in Virginia (where the next contest comes) had a cocky tone that is dangerous to his message.

Contrast that to the way Huckabee handled his similar victory on the Republican side this weekend.  Political commentators were scoring him points by praising him for being "understated" about his wins.

[Read more →]

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or if we wait for some other time.

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

We are the change that we seek.

-Barak Obama, Feb. 5th speech

A lot of disenchanment and criticism globally against the US has
accumulated over the last few years.

But I have a feeling that the 2008 primaries, perhaps even more than
the November elections will, are re-shaping the world’s thoughts about
the US and the meaning and value of democracy.

Super-Tuesday’s energy and intensity seem to have crossed US borders.
I googled news about the delegate count and before settling on CNN’s
great tracking charts, I noticed newspapers from South Africa to India
were passionately discussing the process.

[Read more →]

If anyone has doubts about Obama’s vision for America and the world, and the potential to rally in the disenfranchised and involve the apathetic, check this out: (inspiring, with the exception of the overused and empty "we want change" line)

Seems like Obama and Clinton learned the lesson about the public’s displeasure with so much acrimony and negative attacks, and their debate tonight was remarkable in positive energy, congeniality and professionalism.

With all their differences, Obama and Clinton lifted each other, which was inspiring and energizing.  When Wolf Blitzer asked his last question, whether they would consider a joint ticket, he was tapping into the dream ticket many Democrats cherish.

That said, when I speak to my friends and family in Texas, I realize that prejudice is still deep and we have a long way to go before middle Americans will be ok with a President whose middle name is Hussein.  The rumors that he is a "Muslim" have gone deeper than anyone would imagine – they have really permeated into Americans’ assumptions.  To me it is sad and embarrassing that this would be an issue anyway, and it shows how far we have to go.  But it may very well kill Obama’s candidacy.

On the Republican side, the vitriol between Romney and McCain was painful to witness.  I am biased against Romney, but McCain did not handle this well and allowed him to get the better of him.  I have heard from many Republican strategists for different candidates that Romney just gets under every of the other candidates’ skin, so McCain is not alone in disliking him.  But that is not an excuse.  If McCain is going to inspire Presidential confidence, he has to rise above recriminations and petty hatreds.

If McCain gets the nomination and goes against Clinton or Obama, it will be a hard-fought fight where all candidates have a lot to contribute to America and to the world.