What's Next For the 15MEU?

Tonight's Newshour With Jim Lehrer has two segments of interest. The first dealt with the peace agreement in the Sudan. The central understanding is that the situation in Darfur is unsolved. There appears to be agreement that it is an African problem, but that the African Union force does not have either a mandate or the power to protect the civilian population. So what to do? How about arranging a port call in southern Sudan for the 15 MEU in early April, after their work in Indonesia has been completed? With their reputation and capability for humanitarian work, that would put them within range of assisting the African Union in alleviating the suffering in Darfur! And the simple announcement of the port visit would set a new tone!

The second allowed Mark Shields to expound on the old theme of WMD & the decision to go to war in Iraq. But his spiel that the government needs to be totally transparent in these decisions would never withstand an historical examination. What about FDR & Lend Lease? Mr. Shields would have no response! Yet FDR acted unilaterally to support the United Kingdom when the mood of America was isolationist. I guess with Mr. Shields his opinions are quite French, plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose!