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The Middle East,
The
World, at a Crossroads
In 2008, former White House
Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, was quoted as saying, "You never want a serious
crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that is an opportunity to do
things you think you could not do before." As stunningly opportunistic as
that statement was to many, it was, at least, a transparently honest
statement that defined the tactics used by the White House during the first
two years of the Obama Administration. And while those of us who are
politically aware here in the United States came to see that tactic bring to
fruition a sea-change of initiatives, our political and ideological trials
and tribulations pale in comparison to what is happening in the Middle East
today.
I bring up Mr. Emanuel's admission regarding
crisis because it is cogent to the events happening in Tunisia, Jordan and,
especially, Egypt. With pro-democracy and anti-dictatorial movements taking to
the streets in protest of what they see as heavy-handed totalitarianism – albeit
to a much lesser extent in Jordan than in the other locales, the world is
witnessing a level of chaos that can only exist where there is a void in
national cohesion; a void of accepted leadership. It is this void that serves as
the opportunity for nefarious forces to exploit the "crisis" ...
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Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow...
"Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like
work."
– Thomas Alva Edison
I arrived at
my office this morning by 8:00 a.m., per usual. Only 3 other people from my
division made it to work, due to the meteorological event that transpired over
the previous 24 hours: snow mixed with rain, or as it is becoming more commonly
referred to as, wintry mix.
I drove into
work faster than the norm, even though it took longer to reach the entrance to
the highway. While the roads in my immediate neighborhood were not plowed, the
main thoroughfares were more than drivable. Virtually empty of commuters, I was
able to coast unimpeded during my morning rush hour, except for avoiding the
horizontal spray of a lone salt spreader. I relish days like this, being from
Chicago.
I am not
longer surprised at the number of schools that were closed due to "conditions."
The result is that employees who are parents, who must now stay home with their
children; won't make it into work. In addition, there are many who are just too
uncomfortable and/or ill equipped to make the drive in these "conditions"...
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