Eye on the Watcher’s Council

As you may know the members of the Watcher’s Council each nominate one of his or her own posts and one non-Council post for consideration by the whole Council. The complete list of this week’s Council nominations is here.

The Glittering Eye, “Re-Crafting U.S. Foreign Policy”

In my submission for this week I consider New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson’s synopsis of his ideas on new directions for U. S. foreign policy. Some I like, some not so much.

The Colossus of Rhodey, “Needed Perspective”

Hube considers whether African Americans are getting a fair shake in the history books used in schools these days. History is, was, and always has been a political exercise and the only significant question is whose political goals should be promoted? I’d be happy if kids learned how little history we actually know, especially history before about 1600.

Done With Mirrors, “Mitt Wit”

I see that Callimachus has about the same view of Mitt Romney as I do, at least as regards his answer to a leading “chickenhawk” question. He also gives a much, much better response to the question than Gov. Romney did.

Rhymes With Right, “An Interesting Morning”

Greg’s submission this week is his Sunday sermon and I found it pretty good, a commentary on what should be expected from and by Christians. Greg follows an ancient form: Christians are called to imitate Christ. Too often today that’s reduced to simple kindliness, which Christianiity requires but is not limited to.

Soccer Dad, “Africa Appreciates”

Soccer Dad takes a look at the opinion of the people of the Ivory Coast with respect to Israel and wonders if the philanthropy of Israelis there is paying off. I think it’s possible but probably indirect. I suspect that the Cote d’Ivoirans are like people everywhere: they don’t know nothin’ but what they read in the newspaper.

Bookworm Room, “Political Fairy Tales **Bumped (’cause it was getting lost below)**”

Speaking of how little we really know of actual history, Bookworm comments on the real history behind the incident of the mutiny onboard H. M. S. Bounty 200 years ago. Here in the States most of our opinions are formed by the 1935 movie with Clark Cable, Mutiny on the Bounty which, in turn, is based on the best-selling novel by James Hall and Charles Nordhoff which it follows pretty closely. It’s been more than 40 years since I read the novel but that’s my recollection, anyway.

The Nordhoff and Hall work is a novel (indeed, it’s the first volume of a trilogy) and it doesn’t conform to actual events in some important ways. Why has this interpretation of the events caught on?

I think there are several reasons. First, the interpretation appeals a certain rugged individualist, anti-establishment, anti-institutional strain in American thought. Second, the movie has a sort of class struggle theme to it that captures the populist version that was commonplace in the U. S. in the 1930’s. It ain’t necessarily so.

Big Lizards, “The “Don’t Make Waves!” Theory of Iraqi Politics”

Dafydd ab Hugh defends the proposition that a complete military pacification (sufficient to our objectives in Iraq) is possible, within our grasp, and even preferable to the political solution that most of us have been looking for. I’ll have to think about it; I’m skeptical.

‘Okie’ On the Lam, “Something Rotten In Brussels”

Okie isn’t happy with the increasing Muslim influence in the Brussels city council.

Cheat Seeking Missiles, “Globalization Killed the Bison?”

What do the mass slaughter of the buffalo in late 19th century America, a new Leonardo di Caprio movie, and HR 2421 have in common? They’re all part of Laer’s submission this week on environmentalism.

Joshuapundit, “Roundup With Weekend Monkey, 8/10/07”

Freedom Fighter has a dialogue (I presume with his inner monkey) on the presidential campaign in Iowa, Barack Obama’s foreign policy, and the forced eviction of Jews from Hebron.

The Education Wonks, “The Elephant in the EduReform Room”

EdWonk reports on the sad truth that many teachers aren’t qualified to teach the subjects they’re teaching in the schools. I think it’s worth mentioning that, in the case of California (which is the example EdWonk uses) during the 1980’s basic qualifications were waived for interest group studies majors. Wasn’t that a lovely formula for quality education?

Right Wing Nut House, “A Straw in the Wind”

Rick Moran dissects the Republican Iowa Straw Poll and, when he’s done, finds there wasn’t much to dissect.

Well, I’ve decided which posts I’ll vote for. Which posts would get your votes?