Good morning!
A SIMPLE SOLUTION FOR A COMPLEX PROBLEM
I’ve often maintained that many of our most intractable problems have relatively easy solutions. In response to my lament about the serious delays in the supply chain, in large measure exacerbated by labor shortages, Brad Mindlin has a fairly simple solution:
“The issue at the dock and the truck driving shortage should be solved by bringing out the national guard. They are doing this in some areas for driving kids to school. We are having a national emergency/disaster. The major reason I can see for not bringing out the guard is simply that Newsom and Biden do not want to cross two of the strongest unions. But they should consider that construction has major multiplier effect on the economy and Christmas, which is fast approaching, provides a huge positive for people’s psyche and stimulating the economy. These both count on material being delivered asap.”
IS MAN BASICALLY GOOD OR EVIL?
Something a friend posted on line:
“I was in a meeting today, and part of the very civil conversation revolved around an argument between Hobbesians ("people are basically bad") and Rousseaunians ("people are basically good"). I am on team Rousseau. I might be wrong, but I would rather live my life thinking Rousseau was right.”
GEORGE PACKER ON RICHARD HOLBROOKE
In speaking with Ben VandeBunt the other day about politics, the subject of Richard Holbrooke, diplomat in the Clinton and Obama years, came up. I mentioned a great biography of Holbrooke by George Packer, Our Man. Ben had also read the book. Holbrooke is not the most lovable character but he was a competent one. The book is a great readable history of foreign policy through the prism of this man’s remarkable life. Holbrook is from the great tradition of diplomats who served tirelessly for our country in relative anonymity, like George Kennan, James Baker and Zbigniew Brzezinski. The book is worth at least a skim. For another profile of an important Washington insider, read The Man Who Ran Washington: The Life and Times of James A. Baker III, by Peter Baker.
George Packer also is known for The Unwinding and Last Best Hope: America in Crisis and Renewal. Both are books that highlight real problems in today’s America but that offer some cautious optimism along with some painful observations. In the words of Jon Meacham, “Americans seeking to understand our current moment…will find much to profitably ponder in these pages.”
Ben remarked, “we’re probably two of the three people in L.A. who have read this book.” I know the other one. Good morning, Dennis!
All the best,
Glenn
From the archives:
Loved “Our Man”, which I read last year. Great suggestion.