The hubris and responsibilities of power

This is why I read the Washington Post.

George Will delivers in a serious way in his commentary on the crisis in finance and the economy, the issue on which he delivers best.

McCain's Minimalism

Jim Hoagland also emphasizes his strength in global politics, recognizing well the humbling that American power is facing right now.

No Cushion Against Hubris

I'm not sure David Ignatius' suggestion of "blowing up the CIA" is a good one. But the rest of his analysis is solid, I think. And it is refreshing to read a liberal defend the effort by the Bush Administration to insulate telecommunications companies from lawsuits over their role in domestic spying, recognizing that they acted in good faith, even if Americans are angry with the Administration's investigative activities.

Repairing America's Spy Shop

And Eric Reeves, professor at Smith College, has an excellent guest column highlighting the need for security efforts to protect humanitarian aid supplies during the rainy season in Darfur. As American and European leaders can find it in themselves to trust and work with one another on the crisis and genocide in Sudan, a workable intervention for security and to end the killing, as much as to sustain aid efforts, needs to be engaged.

Genocide by Attrition in Sudan

This is why I consult the Post everyday. Diversity of outlook and ideas is our strength in America and liberal democracies, not our weakness. And the Post has the most diversified set of quality columnists that I have found in any daily newspaper, nevertheless an American daily.

The larger theme is becoming clear: the hubris of power, and how it undermines the responsibilities of both those in power and those who are not, during this period, is slowly being recognized for what it is. It's a sign of hope. And it is in that recognition where real progress lies.