Georgia Rule & Media Drool

The escalating violence between Russia and Georgia provides a firsthand look into pro-Western bias within mainstream media. As journalists struggle to find a narrative arc against the convoluted backdrop of a 16-year civil war, the archetypal tale of East v. West prevails in the editorial pages of American newspapers. But this conflict is not about the Cold War. It’s about the international failure to reach an accommodation between South Ossetia and Georgia for the last two decades.

I’ll bet my next paycheck that most Americans still don’t know where Georgia is located on a map.

On Russia-Georgia: Oh, Billy-Bob

One thing’s for certain, neo-Conservatives are busting 5 nuts a minute trying to respond to the increasing escalation between Georgia and Russia. Seriously, Robert Kagan and Bill Kristol are beside themselves with expert opinions.

It ain’t easy pimpin’ a Cold War mentality in a post-Cold War world.

Merlin Mann - Making Time to Make

After a weeklong hiatus, my Reader was packed to the brim. One of the few articles I actually read is a 3-part series by Merlin Mann, Making Time to Make. The premise is simple: create more, internet less.

The article(s) stood out for a couple of reasons. One, I just spent a week and a half disconnected from the internet and liked it. Two, I’m back at work which means I’m plugged in for 8 hours a day. Three, number 2 is a constant point of frustration for me.

Take a moment to read the posts. It’s worth your time.

Sidenote: Rumor has it Merlin might come to Chattanooga to give a lecture on this topic in the near future. Very cool.

Squeezing in some political links.

I should be running errands, but these are worth the effort.

Judge Rules White House Aides Can Be Subpoenaed - This is a huge blow for the Bush Administration which has been citing executive privelege while keeping top White House aides from testifying to Congress about the politicization of the Justice Dept. Money quote:

Bates, who was appointed to the bench by Bush, issued a 93-page opinion that strongly rejected the administration’s legal arguments. He noted that the executive branch could not point to a single case in which courts held that White House aides were immune from congressional subpoenas.

New Premises in Iraq - Henry Kissinger discusses a change in our approach towards Iraq as a result of the Surge’s success. (I still have mixed emotions on the Surge).

Obama’s Iraq Fumble - Note Karl Rove’s not-so-subtle title. Otherwise, the article does a good job of analyzing the political pitfalls of each candidate’s position on Iraq. I disagree with some of his conclusions, and can’t help but wonder if there’s a little political mojo going on. Regardless, his analysis resonated with me.