MONDAY, April 29

Boston (much covered): A news story from the Christian Science Monitor, forwarded by my friend and Middle East expert, Professor O'Neill, suggests that the motivation for the actions of the Tsarnaev brothers may be hard for most Americans to comprehend. In the story, Dr. Akbar Ahmed (of Washington University (D.C) and long-time student of the various tribal clans of the Caucuses) suggests that the brothers's motivation may have been primarily tribal, not Islamist. The Near East is a much fractured, fought-over area, one with a multitude of tribal factions that make for turbulent, unclear motives. Currently, the investigation continues of their mother's role in all of this. We should remember that the Russians have always thought of “their” muslims, much as Americans viewed “our” negroes in the not too distant past: somehow lesser. During the dark Cold War era, there were numerous reports from Africans, returning after being wooed to the USSR for various “friendship” programs, that Soviet protestations to the contrary, they (Africans) were often treated not as equals, but rather as second class citizens.

Fertilizer plant explosion in West, TX (less covered). A story in the Washington Post recalled Walter Cronkite's extensive media coverage of the 1968 WV coal mine explosion, reporting that had much to do with winning passage of the first Coal Mine Health and Safety Act in 1969. The story continues contrasting Cronkite's extensive reporting with the paucity of coverage devoted to the recent fertilizer plant explosion and opines that today's investigative reporting is spotty, less than sterling. http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/mike-elk-the-texas-fertilizer-plant-explosion-cannot-be-forgotten/2013/04/23/48eb770c-ac26-11e2-b6fd-ba6f5f26d70e_story.html

A run for president? There were two articles in this past Wednesday morning's “Politico” about the possible presidential aspirations of Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush. You cannot help but wonder, who in their right mind would want to venture down that path? As the various possible candidates (and their respective handlers) begin to get their ducks in line, clear thinking voters will no doubt recall that President Obama “positioned” himself on more than a few issues – only to find out that the post-election political reality precluded much of what he had promised: two glaring examples, closing Guantanamo and vouchsafing the inviolability of Social Security and medicare . As a candidate you can say one thing, but, in the end, political realities trump all.  As for Jeb, on the day the George W. Bush presidential library opened, his mother, the redoubtable Barbara, opined that "no" he should not run, that the US had had quite enough "Bushies."  Point taken!

Or, the US Senate, anyone? The list of Democratic senators “retiring” at the end of their current term continues to grow. Thus far the list includes Baucus (Montana), Levin (Michigan), Rockefeller (West Virginia), and Lautenberg (New Jersey, now 89 and ailing).   

Gun control:  To retiring Senator's Lautenberg's undying credit, he returned to the Senate chamber in a wheelchair to cast a series of resounding votes in favor of gun control legislation.  

Enjoy the upcoming week.