Ruminations - Robert J. Kulak

Ruminations, August 31, 2008

Transition
The succession of heads of state is at best a turbulent time for the states in question. Sometimes, it can be downright dangerous.
In 1795, Poland approved a new constitution addressing succession and other issues. It was the second constitution in the world (after the United States’ constitution) and political philosopher Edmund Burke pronounced it outstanding. Until the new constitution, Poland had always elected its king, but the new constitution made it a hereditary position. Was that a step back?

Poland made a conscious decision to make its monarchy hereditary because of the problems they had encountered in electing a king. Once the king had died, all the nobility had to be notified and then meet, along with their entourages (and transportation was none too swift in the 18th century). Then there was the problem of securing lodgings for this large group followed by the arduous selection of a new monarch. Then the new monarch had to set up his new government. During this entire period Poland effectively had no government and was vulnerable to diplomatic maneuvering and attacks by its neighbors. The succession provision of the new constitution eliminated the uncertainty of governing during the transition process.

Today, the succession conundrum exists, to some degree, in many countries. It seems especially critical in Pakistan where President Pervez Musharraf resigned and no new government has been formed. Given the various terrorist groups operating within Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan, the situation has become a tinderbox.

Don’t be surprised if the situation is resolved by Pervez Musharraf coming back to power. He’s better than nothing and certainly offers more stability to the region than the current miasma.

The Casual UN
UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon announced in July that the UN would try a casual attire dress code for the month of August. The impetus for the change has to do with saving energy by increasing the temperature within the building and therefore using less air-conditioning.

Moon said that if productivity did not suffer, the trial would be extended.

Hmmm. How do you measure productivity at the UN?

Brain Development
Recently, the Amethyst Initiative, a group of 120 college presidents, former presidents and chancellors, called for the repeal of the age limit on alcohol consumption because, they assert, it would reduce the incidence of binge drinking on college campuses. Whether or not the academic leaders have a good idea, their statement has caused an increased interest in the discussion of brain development in teenagers and young adults.

The National Institute of Health has conducted extensive research on the subject and has concluded that brains continue to develop until age 25 or so. Teenagers’ and young adults’ brains’ frontal lobes are not fully developed: the frontal lobes are the areas that deal with consequences of actions and long-term implications. During the late teenage years and into the early 20s, the NIH says, brain development occurs in the frontal lobe, which leads to more reasoned perceptions, better judgment and improved performance.

Temple University psychologist Laurence Steinberg says that among teenagers and young adults, "the parts [of the brain] for exercising judgment are still maturing.” So, therefore, these young folk may not be mature enough to handle alcohol responsibly. But even with immature judgment, we allow them to vote and select presidents.

According to the latest Gallop Poll, there is a difference in candidate selection by age:

Poll taken during the week of August 18-24
Barack Obama
John McCain
18-29 year olds
55
38
30-49 year olds
45
46
50-64 year olds
44
44
65 and older
40
47

I wonder which is more dangerous: immature youth binge drinking or immature youth selecting world leaders. The long-term implications seem clear.

Vice Presidential picks
It’s interesting.

John McCain picked a candidate for vice president who is young enough to be his daughter. Barack Obama picked a candidate for vice president who is old enough to be his father.

It’s interesting.

Who elects these guys?
Sometimes congresspersons make such outrageous remarks, you wonder who elects them.

Representative Jim Clyburn (D, SC) a year ago was asked what would happen if the surge in Iraq produced positive results for the United States. Clyburn replied that positive results for the United States would be "a real big problem for us [Democrats]."

After John McCain selected Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate, the third-ranking Democrat in Congress, Clyburn recalled Geraldine Ferraro as running on the Democratic ticket and pronounced her as "a disaster.” He went on to make the connection to McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin as “very risky for McCain to do this, but it may be all he has left."

Who elects a guy that roots for defeat in Iraq and thinks women are disasters as vice presidential candidates?

Giants of the 1980s
Whether you like them or not, the two individuals who had the most profound effect on the world of the 1980s were U.S. President Ronald Reagan and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. They were kindred spirits and friends.

After Reagan left office, he developed Alzheimer’s disease.

Now, the Thatcher family has announced that the iron lady has Alzheimer’s disease, too. Our prayers go to her and her family.


Robert J. Kulak
West Hartford, Connecticut

Note: This column will be a regular feature at http://www.johnmatyi.com/