France and Germany Stand Pat/U.S. Continues to Bear Disproportionate Burden

The Associated Press reports that France and Germany have rejected President Obama's request for additional troops for Afghanistan. This despite the AP Headline that the two nations "endorse" President Obama's new strategy for Afghanistan. That strategy, of course, includes a "surge" of NATO forces in the country. The United States, which already deploys 38,000 troops there, is adding another 30,000, to bring our total to 68,000.

According to the French Ministry of Defense, there are about 3,000 French troops in and around Afghanistan. http://www.defense.gouv.fr/ema_uk/overseas/afghanistan/main_file/09_06_08_french_forces_in_afghanistan

Britain, by contrast, has announced it will send another 1,000 troops, on top of the 8,000 or so it has altready deployed there. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/apr/04/afghanistan-british-troops-taliban Canada, whose population is just over half that of France (33 million compared to 61 million), maintains 2,500 troops there. Italy, who, like Britain, was also an ally in the Iraq War (Thank you!), deploys nearly 3,000 troops in Afghanistan.

I do not mean to understate the French contribution in the war on Al Qaeda, both in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Indeed, it was France who introduced the Security Council Resolution authorizing the 2001 invasoion of Afghanistan, and 27 French soldiers have died there. And, we all know that France helped America gain her independence in the first place, more than 200 years ago.

At the same time, we also know that, given the impressive capabilities of the French military, the largest in the European Union, it seems that France could do more. And, I don't mean to pick on Franch --- Germany could do more, too! Let's hope both nations reconsider !

INDY RACING IN ABOUT 25.6666.... HOURS !

As previously reported on this Blog, tomorrow marks the first race of the 2009 Indianapolis Racing League season, the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Florida. The event will be broadast live on the Versus Channel, beginning at 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. Later today, from 4:00 PM until 5:00 PM, Versus will broadcast a "qualifying show," presumably with highlights from qualifying activities on Friday. Here is a list of entrants to the race.

http://www.indycar.com/news/2009/stpete/2009_stpete_ics_entrylist.pdf

Here is a summary of various drivers' performance in this race from 2005-2008.

http://www.indycar.com/news/2009/stpete/ics_driver_perf_summary_stpete.pdf

Graham Rahal of the USA (born in Columbus, Ohio) won the 2008 event, and media reports suggest he is poised for another good run, having clocked the fastest lap in Friday practice. He is the son of Bobbby Rahal, who won the 1988 Indianapolis 500.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5h4QcGEnN1GhlIwY4_eyEtwy_WO5w

At the same time, the Canadian Press reports that Scott Dixon of New Zealand is favored to win the overall IRL series this year, repeating last year's feat. The photo posted above is of Dixon practicing before the 2007 Indianapolis 500, which this author attended. The Photo is courtesy of cmakin, who makes it available pursuant to a Creative Commons License. Thank you! Here is a link to the photo and other similar one. http://www.flickr.com/photos/73643373@N00/507966235

Here is the Canadian Press story predicting a Dixon repeat. I suspect he will face stiff competition from Dario Franchitti, who returns to IRL this year after a less than stellar year on the NASCAR circuit.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5g0KVju03tsNVADrznGB9d9Ceb9Yw

Flat Hat Story and Editorial on Privatization

Today's Flat Hat contains a brief story on a lecture favoring privatization of the College by Neal McCluskey, associate director of the Center for Educational Freedom at the Cato Institute.

ttp://flathatnews.com/content/70536/speaker-talks-privatization

The Flat Hat itself also editorializes about the issue, calling on the College to create a committe "to explore the long term costs and benefits of increased privatization of the College."

http://flathatnews.com/content/70526/privatization-should-be-explored

While the Editors do not ensorse privatization, they note:

"there could be no better time, given our economic woes, than the present to explore the option. The administration should create a committee to investigate the long-term costs and benefits of increasing privatization at the College."

There has been more talk of privatization in the last year here at William and Mary than in the 13 years before that combined, it seems. An idea that once seemed questionable to many as a matter of policy is gaining traction, as students, faculty, alumni and others from all sides of the spectrum come to realize that our status as a state owned and controlled enterprise prevents the College from realizing its awesome potential. I lay out some of the arguments for privatization in: "Private Greatness," an Op-Ed that responded to the claim by a former President of William and Mary that the College should strive to be "Public and Great." Among other things I argued that our public status was nothing to cheer about and also prevented us from becoming great.

http://flathat.wm.edu/2005-09-09/story.php?type=2&aid=3

Some wonder why the Commonwealth would EVER agree to allow the College to go private.
Here, in "Private Greatness," I answer this question by proposing a trade: Virginia ceases to appropriate millions to the College each year, and the College keeps the land and buildings on which it currently operates. Since the state appropriates about $40 million per year to the College, privatization would be worth about $1 billion to the state in present value terms at current interest rates.
http://flathat.wm.edu/2005-09-09/story.php?type=2&aid=3

I am not the only one pushing privatization. Some students have as well. See, for instance, this Op-Ed by Alex Ely: http://flathatnews.com/content/69993/great-and-public-no-longer-option-cash-strapped-college

Russia's New Comrade Obama

Russia's President is hailing President Obama as his "new comrade." The Agence Francais Press has the story.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gEo4B1heuBvO6KK7EiBHKigO1UrA

But please, don't call the President a Socialist !

Derek Cox's NFL Quest

The Flat Hat is running a two-part series on Derek Cox's quest to land in the NFL. Tribe football fans will recall that Cox, number 37, played cornerback and returned punts. Cox registered 4 interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. He also returned two punts for touchdowns and made 33 solo tackles. The Flat Hat article reports that Cox is 6'1" 181 lbs and has run a 4.34 40 yard dash. The first part of the article details Cox's childhood aspiration to play football, his current training regimen and admission that playing in the FBS league makes it more difficult to break into the NFL. Here is the article. We wish Derek every success !!!

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Flat+Hat+Derek+Cox

At this link you can find a great video of an 89 yard punt return for a touchdown against Northeastern in 2008.

http://www.tribeathletics.com/files/fb/2008/video/nu/cox89pr.html

Here find a video of Cox's 45 yard interception return against N.C. State.

http://www.tribeathletics.com/files/fb/2008/video/ncst/coxtd.html

A Patriotic Poster. Just Because.