In less than two weeks the United States will mark a solemn and unfortunate anniversary, the tenth anniversary of 9/11. I bring this up, not to disturb the memories of some who are still traumatized by the incident, but because of a recent poll that asked Americans what they thought the world would be likeContinue reading “On the Presidency of Al Gore”
Tag Archives: Iraq
On the Obsession DVD
I mentioned on Thursday that I had received that day in the mail a DVD — Obsession: Radical Islam’s War Against the West. Obsession is, according to Wikipedia, “a documentary movie about Islamist teachings and goals” that “compares the threat of radical Islamism with that of Nazism before World War II, and draws parallels betweenContinue reading “On the Obsession DVD”
On the President’s Abject Disconnect
Times of war are times of sacrifice. In my grandparent’s generation — World War II — resources were rationed for the war effort. People from all walks of life gave up necessities so that the Axis could be defeated. President Bush, in our own Iraqi quagmire, believes in sacrifice. He sacrificed his tee time. HeContinue reading “On the President’s Abject Disconnect”
On “Mission Accomplished” Plus Five
Five years ago today, President George W. Bush stood on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln and declared, against the backdrop of a banner that said “Mission Accomplished” that “major combat operations in Iraq have ended.” We have Senator John McCain saying that the United States will be in Iraq for another hundred years.Continue reading “On “Mission Accomplished” Plus Five”
On John Yoo and the Legality of Torture
I don’t like John Yoo. Yoo served in President Bush’s Office of Legal Counsel during the early years of his administration. Yoo was known to have penned two memos outlining the legal basis for detainee confinement at Guantanamo Bay and for coercive interrogation tactics — torture, let’s just say it — that led to prisonContinue reading “On John Yoo and the Legality of Torture”
On the Two-Week Round-Up
I think a biweekly recap makes more sense than a weekly recap. At least, until I change my mind again. 😆 Let’s step back two weeks, to the day before St. Patrick’s Day. There, I mused on The Return of the King, which I watched the night previous. Specifically, I talked about the original endingContinue reading “On the Two-Week Round-Up”
On the Bush Mosaic
A few short days ago the United States reached the fifth anniversary of its military involvement in Iraq. Yesterday — Easter Sunday, for those of the Christian inclination — another milestone was passed. The four thousandth American soldier fell in Iraq. An artist has commemorated that dubious milestone with a photomosaic of President Bush andContinue reading “On the Bush Mosaic”
On the Five Year Anniversary
Five years ago today the United States invaded Iraq. In that time, four thousand American soldiers have died. In that time, countless Iraqis have died. Some of the casualty estimates I’ve seen are appalling. Despite a speech proclaiming that “major combat operations in Iraq have ended” six weeks after the start of the war, thereContinue reading “On the Five Year Anniversary”
On the President, Out of Touch With Reality
Commander Guy has a hard-on for an attack on Iran. First, despite a multitude of reports that the reported threats by Iranian speedboats in the Straits of Hormuz were the work of a prankster, the President attempted to suggest a causus belli for… something. And second, despite the National Intelligence Estimate that stated that IranContinue reading “On the President, Out of Touch With Reality”
On Bill Kristol
For New Years the New York Times made a resolution to add Bill Kristol, editor of The Weekly Standard, to their editorial pages. Kristol’s career as a Republican thinker is well-known. He was Dan Quayle’s Chief of Staff. He argued strongly that the Clinton health care proposals had to be defeated completely, not compromised upon,Continue reading “On Bill Kristol”