Back in June, I think it was, my blogging about Bush's disastrous foreign policy failures enabling a rising Islamic Fundamentalist Caliphate, as I described it, got the attention of BBC radio. They invited me to participate in a call in program about the rise of Islamic fundamentalists in Somalia, which was my first 30 minutes of fame. I didn't really feel like I came off well on their show as it wasn't really a format I was comfortable with, but it sure was flattering to have my blogging noticed!
Since then I have continued to write about our increasing losses to Islamic fundamentalism and our failures to counter it. Most recently I wrote about the rise of fundamentalists in Bahrain. I criticize the Republicans for failing to back Clinton's attempts to stabilize Somalia and to stop al-Qaeda, instead chastising him for being "obsessed with al-Qaeda" as if that was a bad thing. I criticize Bush for putting the war against the terrorists who attacked us on the back burner in his rush to attack the two Muslim nations arguably most opposed to al-Qaeda: Iraq and Iran. By picking on these three groups, Bush has picked fights with three completely disparate parts of the Muslim world: secular Sunni, fundamentalist Sunni and fundamentalist Shi'ite. Attacking all three in essence confirms in the eyes of much of the world the accusation that Bush has declared a Crusade on all Islam.
For Somalia it means we have, thanks to Republicans, let that nation remain the playground of warlords and fundamentalists, leading to its current situation. We could have stabilized it, built it up and taken away a major recruiting ground of al-Qaeda. During my first 30 minutes of fame I was amazed at how the Somalis participating in the discussion praised Clinton for helping in Somalia, expressed a sense of betrayal when America abruptly cut and ran because Republicans wouldn't back their President, and expressed relief that the fundamentalists were taking charge because it would bring stability. My point, poorly delivered on the radio, I thought, was that we had the chance to provide that stability but we dropped the ball and fundamentalists were gaining by our missed opportunity.
Now Ethiopia has intervened where we dared not tread and are trying to help some factions in Somalia fight the fundamentalists. This morning BBC radio called me again to ask me to be on their show again.
Overwhelmed at work and remembering not really enjoying the experience last time, I told them "no." D'oh! They tried to talk me into it! I said "no." Finally they said they would let me think about it and call me again to see if I changed my mind. Flattering as hell to have my blogging efforts induce BBC radio to try and talk me into being on their show. But I hate doing this things by phone!
When Liza heard I was turning them down, I believe her reaction was essentially, "Are you nuts! DO IT!" Well that summed up what everyone thought and they were right! I was ready to say yes when they called back.
Which they never did. So I assume they found someone to take my place and I am left feeling a bit stupid and cowardly. Too bad! But the fault is all mine. And I am sure Liza will soundly berate me for failing to do Culture Kitchen honor on British radio. If there is a next time, I promise I will say yes. Hear that BBC? Next time?
(P.S. I can claim a second moment of fame because the NY Times interviewed me for a piece on local politics. They mentioned a lot of what I brought up but didn't give me credit. Without credit, it doesn't count as fame!)
