Halliburton’s Foreign Policy Menu

And speaking of irony. A Spanish oil and gas company, Repsol, has announced that in a joint venture with Cubapetroleo, it will look for oil off the (northwestern) coast of Cuba. Should a major oil find result, the implications — on both the energy and diplomatic fronts — will be significant.

The energy angle is obvious. Cuba is oil-challenged and struggles to pay for its imports. Plus the Gulf of Mexico has heretofore been the private production province of Mexico and the United States.

But look who wants to be a player if the drilling off of Cuba is successful: Halliburton.

Indeed, the giant oil-services company now seems to be picking and choosing its foreign policy preferences and allegiances. Recall that an upside, if you will, of the Iraqi war and occupation, has been the opportunity afforded Halliburton to help re-build the Iraqi oil infrastructure. No such contract work exists with Cuba, however, because of the long-standing economic embargo.

As a result, Halliburton has recently made it clear that it doesn’t think the Kennedy-era embargo is such a good idea any more.

Moreover, the sanctions against Iran and Libya should be given the heave-ho as well. John Gibson, the president of Halliburton’s energy services division, couldn’t have been more blunt: “There are foreign companies making money in those countries,” he recently pointed out, “and I think American companies should have a shot at those markets as well.”

That may not be the most principled reason to end the counterproductive and cruel Cuban embargo, but it’s a valid one. Farmers, ranchers and others had made the case previously.

But this is Halliburton. They play rough. And they still make money the old-fashioned way: They know the right people.

Coach K Stays At Duke

Duke University basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski recently turned down a lucrative offer to coach the Los Angeles Lakers. In doing so, he answered one question — while raising another.

After a period of highly publicized deliberation, Krzyzewski finally declined the Lakers’ offer and put an end to the “Will he?”-“Won’t he?” queries. In the end, he chose to stay where he had become — over the past 24 years — a wealthy legend and the personification of Duke basketball. The 57-year-old “Coach K” has led Duke to three national championships. He was a hardwood Steve Spurrier — only more successful and nicer.

He had also come to represent consummate class in an arena where too many schools routinely earn public scorn for win-at-all-cost practices.

In the final analysis, explained Krzyzewkski, “you had to follow your heart.”

That other question? Why a rich, college coaching icon with a lifetime contract — in a program that symbolizes all that is still good with big time intercollegiate athletics — would even consider moving on to the hip-hop circus that is the National Basketball Association? A league where Kobe Bryant, who personally intervened to try and recruit Krzyzewski, is one of the “good guys.”

Stetson: Tampa’s Part-Time, Prime-Time Partner

Time was when Tampa was the largest city in the country without a law school. As of Jan. 15, 2004, that time had passed. That’s when the Stetson University College of Law swung open the doors of its new satellite operation, officially known as the Tampa Law Center and Campus, to accommodate part-time law students.

The three-story, 73,500-square-foot building on Tampa Street is just north of Interstate 275. Topped by an iconic, gargoyled watchtower that replicates the one on the main campus in Gulfport, the center is home to the Second District Court of Appeal on the third floor and a state-of-the-art courtroom, law library and classrooms on the first. Classrooms, law offices and law-related business tenants are planned for the second floor.

What the Tuscan pink, neo Spanish-Mediterranean center creates is a win-win-win scenario for Stetson, Tampa and those looking to earn an after-hours law degree in four years — instead of three.

The Stetson College of Law, based in Gulfport since 1954, has long wanted a presence in downtown Tampa. Such that the private university paid $11.2 million to raze the former Tampa Police Department headquarters, acquire the 7.7-acre (Tampa Heights) site and build the new center. (The Tampa facility is Florida’s first such law school satellite.)

It wanted to attract more Hillsborough County students to its 2-year-old, part-time program that now numbers about 120 students. (Stetson’s full-time enrollment is approximately 700.) It also desired a more up-close-and-personal interaction with Tampa’s movers and shakers, many of whom are litigators. And it saw a rare, synergistic opportunity by housing the Tampa branch of the Florida Second DCA.

“The DCA will be a tremendous resource for us,” points out Jan Majewski, associate dean for the Tampa campus. He cites court proceedings and better access to guest lecturers, (elective course) adjuncts and moot court judges. “We are now convenient to everything,” underscores Majewski.

As for Tampa, Mayor Pam Iorio says it’s an asset on multiple levels.

“From a purely aesthetic standard, it’s beautiful,” assesses Iorio. “But it will be a significant activity center — and extends downtown (north) to Tampa Heights. This is tremendous for Tampa.”

For the community of Tampa Heights, Stetson is already a key catalyst in economic revitalization strategies. And the Tampa campus is likely to house much more than the multi-faceted law center. The Hillsborough County Bar Association plans to build a new headquarters on the property, and there is room — and contingency plans — for several more buildings and a parking garage.

“Stetson’s new campus has stimulated $100 million in new development in the surrounding community, including corporate and private investment,” states Ralph Schuler, president of the Tampa Heights Civic Association.

As for the students, most of the 120 are working professionals looking to change careers or upgrade credentials. Geographically, approximately one third live in Pinellas County, another third in Hillsborough and the remainder are regional — ranging from Sarasota to east Orlando. Being able to take some — but not all — of their courses in Tampa is a decided convenience for a significant number.

Prototype Part-Timer

Nancy Besore, 47, could be the prototype for the part-time program. The Safety Harbor resident is an American Government teacher at Riverview High School in south Hillsborough County. A Tampa stop is on her way home. The single, career educator has been in the school system for 18 years. She once considered pursuing a law degree — but didn’t feel properly “prepared.”

“Then when I saw the (Stetson) ad, it kind of jolted me,” she recalls. “I went and picked up the LSAT (materials). It just got me to thinking, ‘For 18 years I’ve had kids going off to med school or law school or whatever. Now it really is my turn.'”

Besore is now half way through the demanding, 88-credit hour curriculum. She’s holding her own and on course for a May ’06 graduation. She avails herself of academic assistance and study-support groups.

“I’m still here, and I’m still in good standing,” she says. “But it’s difficult.” Especially torts. “It’s an absolute morass of material,” she laments.

When she finishes, Besore would like to work in the state attorney’s office. But the final two years loom. Tons of reading. Analytical probing. Time management. Competition. Proving she’s ready for the arena.

“I love it here,” she says emphatically. “And what a charming place to study. And you know what? They want us to succeed.”

“Fahrenheit” Flap: A MoveOn.Orgy

I suspect the ultimate political fallout from Michael Moore’s controversial documentary, “Fahrenheit 9/11,” will be — nothing.

An unscientific survey (mine) finds that most “Fahrenheit” patrons are there for the same reason people listen to talk radio. To be validated. To be part of the choir awaiting the preacher.

Those not in the mood for a bludgeoning, anti-Bush polemic — or who prefer a lot less of Moore on any subject — will stay away in droves. Running down the United States for profit doesn’t appeal to everyone. An anti-American diatribe that is popular with the French will deter others.

The merely curious and skeptical will likely remain that way. Moore, like a cinematic Ronda Storms, has a way of getting in the way of his own point of view. His voice-overs are frequently as silly and sophomoric as they are manipulative and disingenuous. Ellipses-connecting inferences masquerade as conspiratorial facts. A heavy editing hand is always preferable to a deft touch. Cheap shots are a Moore staple. He has his Bolshevik moments and flights of race-baiting fancy.

But in “Fahrenheit,” he also has plenty of material. A commander in chief who is not presidential. An unnecessary war. A mismanaged occupation. The conversion of the moral high ground into an abyss of unilateralism and arrogance.

Plus the historical context that preceded George W. Bush. To wit: An unbroken chain of administrations that have been in bed with the House of Saud. And an FBI and CIA that had been incommunicado for too long. All Moore had to do was get out of the way and exercise taste other than bad.

But here’s some advice for apoplectic conservatives.

Don’t add to the notoriety. Don’t bring more attention to “Fahrenheit” by trying to refute specious assertions and skewed conclusions. And definitely don’t try to prevent it from being shown or advertised. It is what it is, a MoveOn.orgy that won’t matter — except for making Moore millions.

In God We (Still) Trust

How now, Michael Newdow? You don’t have standing on behalf of your daughter to challenge “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.

But that’s just a technicality, of course, and some other affronted atheist, aggrieved agnostic, peeved pantheist or steamed secular humanist surely will take up the clause cause again. It had to be encouraging to the incredulity crowd when only three Supreme Court justices flat out said that the use of “under God” was constitutional. The others deferred to the custody angle.

Arguably what is now called for is a Pledge of Allegiance to Common Sense. Belief in an “Uncaused Cause” or a “Prime Mover” may be incompatible with the “Big Bang” theory, but not the principle of church-and-state separation.

In effect, that is what the Bush administration is arguing. Its brief says “under God” in the Pledge is about as religious an act as pocketing coins with “In God We Trust” imprinted on them. It amounts to a patriotic acknowledgement of “the nation’s religious history.” We were, after all, founded by Pilgrims who had issues with the Church of England — not God.

The administration, mercifully, got this one right. “Under God” is an empirical statement that poses no threat to the separation of church and state. But if it did, then, indeed, “God save the United States and this honorable court.”

Is Rep. Davis An Embargo Moderate?

Florida Congressman Jim Davis is to be commended for his sensible and compassionate stand against the Bush administration’s new restrictions against travel to Cuba. The restrictions, which include limits to care packages, are as cruel as they are politically cynical.

Davis has joined forces with trade embargo opponents on a bill to rescind these most recent restrictions. “These new rules make it harder for Cuban-Americans to support their own flesh and blood,” said Davis, who also called the limit of one visit every three years “punitive.”

But Davis’ good sense and compassion are not without limits themselves. The Tampa Democrat, who seems to be positioning himself for a gubernatorial run in 2006, still supports the counterproductive and cruel economic embargo against Cuba.

No Irish Ayes For Bush

“Fahrenheit 9/11” wasn’t the worst image hit taken by President Bush this last fortnight. And it wasn’t the revised State Department report that showed that terrorism incidents had actually INCREASED in 2003. Nor was it his vice president’s security paranoia on the Senate floor where Dick Cheney implored Sen. Patrick Leahy to “Frisk yourself.”

A case can be made that it was the less than friendly greeting Bush received on his brief visit last week to Ireland to meet with European Union leaders. That just doesn’t happen to an American president. Not there.

Not good.

New Perspective: Jays Chase Rays

The resurgent Devil Rays have not gone unnoticed in the national — even international –media. Among their accomplishments were a 12-game winning streak and a move up in the standings to third place — at the expense of the Baltimore Orioles and the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Toronto press has been giving the Jays a hard time about being passed by the Rays and for flirting with last place in the American League’s East Division. In fact, a joke making the rounds of the Jays’ press box is a sarcastic reference to Rob Bradford’s new book, “Chasing Steinbrenner,” which offers an in-depth look at Toronto General Manager J.P. Ricciardi during the 2003 season. Toronto pundits have suggested that the book should be renamed “Chasing Naimoli.”

Polarizing Rhetoric Ill Serves Wage Debate

Once again the tactless, abrasive rhetoric of Ronda Storms has transcended an issue. Most recently, it was the Hillsborough County Commission’s “no” vote on the “living wage” proposal. In its 4-3 vote, the commission turned thumbs down on a plan to increase the minimum wage for county employees — and some private-sector, contract workers — from $6.97 an hour to $9.97.

There are reasons that three other members of the commission also voted “no” for a 30 per cent hike for low-paid workers. And there are reasons that a county task force recommended against the measure. A possible uptick in unemployment. A wage-hike domino effect for other workers.

And, of course, the money to pay higher county-employee wages — and increased vendor costs –would come from somewhere. Otherwise known as the taxpayers. And it could exceed $10 million. Bad fiscal policy in the good name of compassion — or “tackling poverty” — is still bad fiscal policy.

Storms said as much, but couldn’t resist a vintage, insensitive sound bite. After reasoning that “artificially inflated” wages was no acceptable answer — which is an acceptable response — Topical Storms Ronda waxed sociologically snotty about the plights of some low-wage employees. “If you can’t afford four children, birth control has been around since the 1960s,” she sniffed. “There is a little thing called the pill.”

Once again “The Furor” of Hillsborough County has become a distracting, mean-spirited sideshow to a legitimate issue. And ironically she does a disservice to her point of view, one that is not without merit. The insulting rhetoric may play well with her south county constituency, but it’s counterproductive to any dialogue of understanding and comity.

Storms obviously doesn’t think it’s proper for taxpayers to subsidize those who have made poor career choices. Such that they are still in minimum-wage, entry-level jobs not designed for raising a family of four. She’s hardly alone in so thinking. In fact, it’s worth noting that most of those in minimum-wage jobs don’t remain there permanently. Their pay increases as they accumulate experience and develop skills.

And perhaps Storms has been privy to some of the studies — including by the Cato Institute — that indicate that fewer people are employed when wages are hiked artificially. Moreover, unemployment tends to fall disproportionately on lower-skilled workers, younger and inexperienced workers, and workers from minority groups.

And that’s why education is ultimately the better societal strategy for those in minimum-wage positions, i.e., the “working poor.” In fact, that was pointed out by Storms.

Her “pill” put-down, however, carried the day — much to the benefit of no one.