New at The Nation: Second look at the Soviet Union?

posted at 8:35 pm on December 28, 2011 by Allahpundit

If they wanted to take a dump on Vaclav Havel?s grave, it would have been cheaper just to fly to Prague and do it.

The occasion here is the 20th anniversary of the break-up of the Evil Empire, but I like to think of it as a parting gift to Kim Jong-il. Where are you when we need you most, ruthless-Stalinist-counterweights-to-U.S.-power? Over to you, Mikhail Gorbachev:

This event led to euphoria and a ?winner?s complex? among the American political elite. The United States could not resist the temptation to announce its ?victory? in the cold war. The ?sole remaining superpower? staked a claim to monopoly leadership in world affairs. That, and the equating of the breakup of the Soviet Union with the end of the cold war, which in reality had ended two years before, has had far-reaching consequences. Therein are the roots of many mistakes that have brought the world to its current troubled state?

Within such a matrix, the United Nations and its Security Council become expendable or at best an impediment, while international law is viewed as a burdensome legacy of the past. That was the attitude taken by the United States and its supporters in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s and in Iraq in 2003. American pundits started talking about the United States as more than just a superpower, calling it a ?hyperpower? capable of creating ?a new kind of empire.??

In short, the world without the Soviet Union has not become safer, more just or more stable. Instead of a new world order?that is, enough global governance to prevent international affairs from becoming dangerously unpredictable?we have had global turmoil, a world drifting in uncharted waters. The global economic crisis that broke out in 2008 made that abundantly clear.

The West must undertake a critical reassessment of all that preceded this painful crisis. It is more than just a crisis of global finance or even a crisis of an economic model based on a race for hyperprofits and excessive consumption that grinds down the earth?s resources and ruins nature. The crisis grew out of the arrogant conviction of ?the collective West? that it had the recipes to solve all problems and that there was no alternative to the ?Washington Consensus,? which claimed to work equally well for all countries.

The Soviet Union: Guarantor not only of international stability but of western prosperity. It?s not clear to me how the world is less safe when one superpower is free to intervene in Yugoslavia or Iraq than it is when two superpowers are forever at risk of being dragged into nuclear war by conflicts between their client states, but the good news I guess is that in another decade or two we?ll be able to test the theory again with China. In the meantime, to even begin to take this argument seriously, you have to assume the rosiest possible scenario for the transformation of the USSR from expansionist communist menace pre-Gorbachev to the cuddly UN-hugging perestroika pixies that Gorby envisions in his Nation piece. How likely is it, really, that the Soviets would have reacted to the rising regional ambitions of China and India by settling into some sort of benign isolationist Eurosocialist senescence? He can?t even bring himself to tell the truth about the Soviet reaction to German unification or Balkan independence in this piece. Why should we believe him when he assure us this particular Harry Turtledove novel would have turned out awesome?

Ah well. We?ll just have to muddle though for a few more years until some other country with the means and inclination to turn America into a parking lot arrives to restore global ?balance.? I?ll leave you with this quote from one of the companion pieces to Gorbachev?s at The Nation, chronicling the troubles that have befallen Russians since the sudden sad demise of Stalinism: ?A majority of Russians, on the other hand, as they have repeatedly made clear in opinion surveys, still lament the end of the Soviet Union, not because they pine for ?Communism? but because they lost a familiar state and secure way of life.?

Source: http://hotair.com/archives/2011/12/28/new-at-the-nation-second-look-at-the-soviet-union/

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Ring in the New Year with a rockin' prize pack from Sonos!

Sonos prize pack

Some of you may have been disappointed Christmas morning because Santa didn't leave a brand new Sonos system under your tree. Well, cheer up because you could win an awesome prize pack in the "Sonos End of Year Rockin' Giveaway"! If you are the lucky winner you will walk away with a Sonos Play:3 and a Play:5 to bring the ultimate music experience to your home, and a Kindle Fire to control all your music with Sonos!

All you have to do to enter is:

  1. Follow @AndroidCentral and @Sonos on Twitter
  2. Tweet the following: "I just entered to win a @Sonos prize pack on @androidcentral and you can too! http://bit.ly/s2B6jD #SonosRocks"

That's it! Pretty simple stuff. There are a few rules to follow. First, don't spam your followers. One tweet per day is the max please, and anyone found creating multiple accounts to enter will be disqualified. Also, the contest is only open to the U.S., due to hardware limitations. The last day to enter is Thursday, so get to tweeting and good luck!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/U7vlYEqnoOA/story01.htm

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U.S. weighs travel request for Yemen's president

HONOLULU (AP) ? The Obama administration is considering whether to allow Yemen's outgoing president into the United States for medical treatment.

A senior administration official says President Ali Abdullah Saleh's office requested that he be allowed to receive specialized treatment in the U.S. for injuries sustained in a June attack on his compound.

Saleh announced Saturday that he was leaving for the U.S. in order to help calm tensions in his country following a fresh wave of violence. But he said his travel was not for medical treatment.

Saleh's presence in Yemen has angered many there, who say he wants to continue to wield his influence despite agreeing to transfer power following months of protests.

The official requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

?2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Source: http://www.woai.com:80/news/national/story/U-S-weighs-travel-request-for-Yemens-president/Q-HW10NceEOtL3OncToJkQ.cspx?rss=70

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Video: More than 100 Sears and Kmart stores to close

The company that owns Sears and Kmart said Tuesday it would close more than 100 stores, after lackluster sales during the holidays. Both chains have struggled in recent years. NBC?s Lester Holt reports.

Related Links:

http://www.facebook.com/nbcnightlynews

Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/45800196/

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Central California SPCA needs more help for ailing horses

The public is responding to the plight of 30 neglected and malnourished horses found at two farms in Fresno County over the past week, contributing more than $2,000 in donations to provide feed and care for the animals.

But officials at the Central California Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said they remain in need of more donations of cash, hay, food and supplies to properly care for the horses. The sudden influx of large livestock has created a pressing need for portable corral fencing that has been part of an ongoing fundraising campaign as well.

"Our target for building the corral was $11,000, and that's just for the outside corral fence itself," said Beth Caffrey, the SPCA's humane education administrator. But, she added, that was for a much smaller corral to cope with only a handful of horses including four that were seized in October.

Caffrey said SPCA officials have yet to determine how much more space and corral fencing they will need to accommodate additional horses from the two neglect cases last week. So far, she said, the SPCA had raised $5,000 for the corral.

Nineteen starving horses were found Tuesday on a ranch on East Shepherd Avenue, north of Clovis. One had to be euthanized because it was severely malnourished. The owner of the horses was arrested for suspicion of felony animal abuse and is free on bond.

On Friday, a second herd of hungry and dehydrated horses was discovered on a ranch on South Garfield Avenue near Riverdale. Officials said 14 horses were found at the ranch, and two were euthanized because of their poor condition. Four dead horses were also found on the ranch. The horses' owner is reportedly out of the country but could face arrest for animal cruelty, officials said.

In addition to the surge in cash donations, some donors have also provided hay to help feed the horses, Caffrey said. On Saturday, Caffrey said it can cost up to $10 per day to feed each horse. Among the other supplies needed to care for the horses are halters, ropes, and buckets, tubs and troughs for food and water.

On Friday, Caffrey suggested it could cost as much as $60 to $70 daily to feed each horse. She said the cost was so high because the afflicted animals have special nutritional needs and because many of the horses are wild and waste much of their feed.

Horse owners and livestock feed store operators, however, said the SPCA's figure was unrealistically high. Based on the current prices of hay and feed supplements, they said, it should cost $5 to $7 a day to feed a healthy adult horse. A malnourished horse would need some additional feed and care, they said, but nowhere near $60 or $70 a day.

Caffrey said Saturday that she re-estimated the feed cost after checking with horse experts.

The reporter can be reached at tsheehan@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6319.

Source: http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/12/24/2660775/central-california-spca-needs.html

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Safeguarding Your Supply Chain Against Rising Oil Prices

--> Have you considered what the fluctuating cost of oil could be doing to your supply chain? Maybe you are dealing with a fuel surcharge on your logistics invoice or are experiencing increased component and operating costs? In any instance, as the price per barrel changes on a daily basis, you need to be concerned with more than just the prices at the pump. The challenges that ensue can negatively impact your supply chain if your infrastructure is not equipped to handle quick adaptations. However, by planning ahead and reevaluating where your supply chain activities are performed, as well as your current processes, you can face these challenges head-on and lessen the impact on your operations and your bottom line. The record peak for oil occurred in July 2008 when prices reached $147 per barrel. This year's prices are topping $100 per barrel.? While prices at this moment are lower than that, it is unclear where prices will go in 2012. Whether it's up or down, you can prepare your supply chain for rapid fluctuations by following some key best practices: Flexible Infrastructure
Supply chains have undergone dramatic changes in recent years in response to shifting product needs, labor costs, taxes and environmental considerations. Having the flexibility to employ multiple routes to market is an important risk mitigation strategy, but it also provides the capability needed to rebalance product flows in response to changing input costs. Network Optimization
If oil prices increase, you may be forced to look at where distribution centers are located in relation to areas of key demand. For many companies, the combination of higher logistics costs and additional inventory requirements have already triggered the movement of supply chain activities closer to key markets. In an economic climate where the cost of fuel continues to rise uncontrollably, network optimization can help you strike a balance between inventory costs, labor costs and distribution center location(s). A network optimization analysis may result in the addition or closing down of distribution centers or even the movement of centers to more optimal locations. It is important to remember that frequent evaluations are necessary to ensure your supply chain model matches current conditions. Postponement Strategies
A postponement strategy based on your network optimization analysis can help increase the density of product coming from remote manufacturing locations. By sending unfinished or unpackaged goods into regions that are closer to the end consumer for final assembly, you can maintain inventory at a flexible level and reduce fuel costs. Shipping Practices
Making changes to your shipping practices can dramatically impact your bottom line, but can also benefit the environment. And there are several creative approaches to shipping available today. This can be as simple as establishing specific delivery dates with key customers which will enable you to consolidate shipping. You can also partner with a company that is not a competitor and that ships product to the same retail locations. Consolidating shipments between multiple brand owners can lead to a reduction in cost and an increase in shipment density. Organizations such as the European Logistics Users Providers and Enablers Group (ELUPEG) practice and promote collaborative shipping and encourage manufacturers across all industries to partake in an effort to improve asset utilization, carbon reduction, customer service, and more. Environmental Responsibility
Adopting sustainable supply chain practices can help you reduce costs and stay in line with social and corporate environmental responsibilities. One thing to consider is using alternative sources of fuel in your trucks and other vehicles. By using sources other than oil, you can potentially avoid fluctuating prices and the complexities that follow. The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) SmartWay Program aims to reduce environmental pollutants caused by traditional fuel sources by providing companies with cleaner alternatives, including ethanol, E85, Biodiesel, and natural gas and propane. Another area to evaluate is product packaging. Bulky product packaging made from synthetic materials and plastics is not friendly to your operations, shipping costs, or the environment. By redesigning packaging to be more compact and made from recyclable materials with little or no plastic, you can increase pallet density which reduces shipping costs, and also decrease your carbon footprint. -->

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Source: http://feeds.penton.com/~r/IWOperations/~3/9GOuVgruZPw/ReadArticle.aspx

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Texas police find 7 dead in Dallas-area apartment

Texas police have found seven people dead in a Dallas-area apartment after gaining entry to the unit on Christmas Day.

Grapevine police told the Dallas Morning News (http://dallasne.ws/vL486p) the four women and three men have all apparently been shot. The ages of the victims are unknown. Police say they were responding to a 911 call when they discovered the bodies. They believe the person who did the shootings is among the dead.

Authorities didn't immediately return a call for details.

This breaking news story will be updated.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45787833/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

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Suicide attacker kills 7 at Baghdad checkpoint (AP)

BAGHDAD ? A suicide bomber set off a car bomb Monday at a checkpoint leading to the Iraqi Interior Ministry, killing seven people and injuring 32 others, officials said.

The attack followed a series of bombings last week that killed up to 70 people in a single day, increasing fears about Iraq's future after U.S. troops withdrew this month.

Two police officers said the bomber struck during morning rush hour, hitting one of many security barriers set up around the ministry's building. Five policemen were among the dead, they said.

Two doctors at nearby hospitals confirmed the causality figures. All spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release information.

No one has claimed responsibility, but suicide attacks are the hallmark of the al-Qaida in Iraq terror group.

U.S. and some Iraqi officials have warned of a resurgence of Sunni and Shiite militants and an increase in violence after the full U.S. troop withdrawal.

Adding to Iraq's troubles is an increase in political tension stemming from a showdown between the Shiite prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, and the top Sunni political leader in the country.

Al-Maliki's government has issued an arrest warrant for Sunni Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi on charges that he ran hit squads against government officials.

Al-Hashemi has denied the charges and said they are politically motivated.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/iraq/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111226/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq

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Colts' win throws Luck sweepstakes up in air (AP)

MINNEAPOLIS ? All that good luck the Indianapolis Colts have received on the field these last two weeks could leave them with no Luck at all when the NFL draft rolls around.

The Colts have won two straight games to fall into a tie with the Vikings and Rams for the league's worst record and the chance to take Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the No. 1 pick.

With Peyton Manning out for the year with a neck injury, the Colts lost their first 13 games of the season, and most figured Luck could start looking for an Indy-based realtor.

Then a funny thing happened ? the Colts started winning.

The Colts beat Tennessee two weeks ago for their first win of the season. No big deal, right? They still had a game on two-win teams in Minnesota and St. Louis and didn't have to deal with the ignominy of going winless for an entire season.

Vikings fans were already dreaming of USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil coming in to protect Christian Ponder and clear a path for Adrian Peterson. With Sam Bradford under center, Rams fans were drooling over the prospects of bringing in Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon as the stud receiver he's been missing early in his career.

Then the Colts went out and won on Thursday night against the playoff-bound Texans.

What were they thinking?!?

That was some of the outcry heard from fans and pundits after the victory, which many view as jeopardizing the franchise's long-term health by risking losing out on another All-Pro caliber quarterback in Luck to eventually replace the face of the franchise, albeit one who will turn 36 in March and has had multiple neck surgeries over the past two seasons.

All of a sudden some Colts fans ? particularly those who were showing up to Lucas Oil Stadium with blue No. 12 jerseys that had "Luck" written on the back ? have an entirely different pain in their necks.

"That's not for the players to worry about," Colts running back Joseph Addai said. "I don't worry about that. I just go out and keep playing ball."

Now all three teams are tied for the fewest wins in the league, with the Vikings and Rams still to play this weekend.

Minnesota has lost six in a row and plays at Washington on Saturday before hosting Chicago in the season finale on Jan. 1. The Rams figure to have a tough time in Pittsburgh on Saturday and with San Francisco at home to end the season.

The Colts hold the strength-of-schedule tiebreaker over Minnesota and St. Louis. So a loss at Jacksonville next week would clinch the No. 1 pick for Indianapolis.

But the Jaguars haven't exactly been hitting their stride as the season wears on. Rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert has been erratic and head coach Jack Del Rio has already been fired.

"For one thing, not knowing what my future's going to be, just wanting to get a win," Colts receiver Reggie Wayne said after making the game-winning touchdown catch with 19 seconds to play Thursday night. "Couldn't get anything better than this."

Sorry Reggie, but some fans would say that a 6-foot-4, 235-pound college star with a rocket right arm and a completion percentage of 70 percent trumps one more victory in a season that has been lost since the moment Manning went under the knife.

And even though the Vikings and Rams both have already spent high first-round draft choices on young signal-callers in the last couple of years, they would have to at least consider Luck with the top pick.

Scouts lavish praise on a prospect they call the best quarterback to come out of college since John Elway. Luck's touchdown-to-interception ratio is almost 4 to 1, he calls his own plays for the Cardinal and takes puppies to visit senior citizens in hospice care.

Well, that part about the puppies has not been confirmed, but you get the point.

Should either the Vikings or Rams luck out and sneak into the top spot, they also could decide to stick with their young guns, trade down with another team eager to take Luck and stockpile picks to fill the numerous holes on each roster.

Just look what the Chargers did in 2004 when the New York Giants so badly wanted Eli Manning. The Giants sent the Chargers draft picks that amounted to Philip Rivers, Shawne Merriman and Nate Kaeding to get their hands on a quarterback who would eventually lead them to a Super Bowl victory.

Up until two weeks ago, the thought of having to make that decision seemed absurd.

Then again, so did a Colts winning streak.

___

AP Sports Writer Michael Marot in Indianapolis contributed to this report.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111224/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_feeling_lucky

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