Zoot!

Today I feel like praising my favorite piece of software, called Zoot.

Zoot, like lanything truly worthwhile, has to be experienced to be appreciated. Zoot is generally described as information processor, or PIM. But it would be more apt to call it a second brain, a powerful accessory to everyday thinking.

What Bush Said About Indian Nuke Agreement

What Bush actually said (from the Washington Post):
"Proliferation is certainly a concern and a part of our discussions and we've got a good-faith gesture by the Indian government that I'll be able to take to the Congress," Bush said. "But the other thing that our Congress has got to understand that it's in our economic interests that India have a civilian nuclear power industry to help take the pressure off the global demand for energy. ... To the extent that we can reduce demand for fossil fuels, it will reduce the cost to the American consumer."

There we have it: nonproliferation is a "concern" to Bush. However, not so important as low gas prices for American motorists.

One could imagine Rove having instructed Bush that such a message would go over well in the heartland. I don't think that this administration cares about US geopolitical stategy vis a vis China. I suspect that this too is just a lame justification. Like so many every other US foreign policy initiative of the past six years, I suspectthis one is also about enriching private interests closely associated with the Bush administration. This time they see they have a good shot at boosting US arms sales to India and Pakistan. One thing to keep in mind: Bush always delivers for his base.

India's an ally, so its nukes are cool Bush

Just caught Bush's news conference in New Deli with the Indian PM. Key background point: the US has blocked nuclear cooperation with India in the past becuase India has pursued its nuclear weapons program outside the auspices of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. IAEA hasn't been allowed to inspect India's reactors. Well, it looks like Bush has just signed an agreement that makes a mockery of the nonproliferation treaty. Apparently Bush has agreed that the IAEA should have access to inspecting India's civilian nuclear reactors (but not its military reactors). Also, apparently the agreement helps to open the door to US defense contractors: there's talk of selling over a hundred US fighter jets to India. From Reuters:

...New Delhi would commit itself to certain nonproliferation standards including allowing international inspections of its civilian nuclear plants.

In return, it would gain access to U.S. civilian nuclear technology, including fuel and reactors denied for 30 years. India's military facilities would not be subject to inspections under the deal.

- The agreement hinges on India separating its nuclear facilities into civilian and military components.

Sounds like a sham deal from the perspective of the international community, and US security, which demands that non-proliferation agreement be upheld. Jotman believes non-proliferation ought to be the the number one US national security priority. Period. The logic is simply this: only WMDs pose a serious military threat to the US homeland. The fewer countries that have nukes, the better. It's a no brainer: it's not in the national security interest of the US to do anything that could be interpreted as undermining the sanctity of the non-proliferation ethic. So the US should be upholding and strengthening existing nonproliferation agreements, not risk being seen as bending the rules to satisfy a new ally. In this case, the Indians.