The al-Qaeda commander in Chechnya is toast.
The Russians did good on that one.
Hat tip: Strata-Sphere.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
More on Gates...
It seems that the right has gone off half-cocked again. Big Lizards points to Michael Barone's discussion of SECDEF-designate Robert Gates's track record.
It would be comical if it had not already led to problems for the GOP. How much of the 2006 midterms loss was due to what was perceived as the right's unfair treatment of Harriet Miers (after they had demanded straight up-or-down votes on judicial nominees)?
It seems, that based on what Barone has found, Robert Gates is a good choice to fill the shoes of Don Rumsfeld... and Barone's last sentence explains why:
It would be comical if it had not already led to problems for the GOP. How much of the 2006 midterms loss was due to what was perceived as the right's unfair treatment of Harriet Miers (after they had demanded straight up-or-down votes on judicial nominees)?
It seems, that based on what Barone has found, Robert Gates is a good choice to fill the shoes of Don Rumsfeld... and Barone's last sentence explains why:
He is very much aware that we have dangerous enemies in the world, and he was willing over many years to confront them and try to check their advance.I wonder whether Rumsfeld recommended Gates when he made the offer to resign that President Bush ultimately accepted. It would almost be a natural for Rummy to figure out why past resignations were not accepted.
Having an off day...
Eve Fairbanks has been very good when she is on target. That said, everyone has moments where they are off. Her post at the Plank concerning Russian President Vladimir Putin is one of them. Here, she's harsh, but she has forgotten the bigger picture. When one looks at the big picture, the whole anti-Russia kick is one that just does not make sense.
There is a big threat we are presently facing. This is state-sponsored terrorism motivated by an extreme form of Islam that is arguably comparable to Christian Identity in terms of its extremism/hatred. And we need folks to help us out. Perhaps the biggest help is Russia, which has a very good intelligence community - and which also has to deal with terrorism motivated by extremist Islam. We have a common foe.
Furthermore, the nature of this foe is such that we need to deal with it quickly before things get to the ugly stage. Not ugly as in tough fights like we have seen in Fallujah, but ugly in the sense of ICBMs taking out cities in response to a WMD attack (for a good explanation, see the comments by Robert A Hahn at Redstate on this thread). It has long been American policy than an attack with WMD will draw a response in kind. When your adversary view those who die in a war as martyrs, deterrence won't work.
The thing about that which really makes it suck is that many of those killed in the likely retaliation will have had nothing to do with the attack in and of itself. Many of these state sponsors of terrorism are dictatorships, either secular or religious in nature.
Look, is Putin an angel? No. I don't think anyone could have been in KGB and not done something that squeamish people will flinch at. But there are also those who make a big deal out of nothing. That Tor-M1 purchase? False hope for Iran (I wrote that Strategypage piece). Five, maybe seven batteries, tops. So Putin is - for all intents and purposes - ripping off our enemies.
And we'll need Russia even more, no matter what happens with Europe. Western Europe has drifted away from us for a while. And no matter if you believe Mark Steyn or Ralph Peters as to what will happen, either way, we will need Russia to counterbalance a more hostile Western Europe (or at least Spain, France, and Germany). That is why Putin gets a pass. We need the Russians.
It's not a disgrace. It's just doing what we have to do to keep the country secure.
There is a big threat we are presently facing. This is state-sponsored terrorism motivated by an extreme form of Islam that is arguably comparable to Christian Identity in terms of its extremism/hatred. And we need folks to help us out. Perhaps the biggest help is Russia, which has a very good intelligence community - and which also has to deal with terrorism motivated by extremist Islam. We have a common foe.
Furthermore, the nature of this foe is such that we need to deal with it quickly before things get to the ugly stage. Not ugly as in tough fights like we have seen in Fallujah, but ugly in the sense of ICBMs taking out cities in response to a WMD attack (for a good explanation, see the comments by Robert A Hahn at Redstate on this thread). It has long been American policy than an attack with WMD will draw a response in kind. When your adversary view those who die in a war as martyrs, deterrence won't work.
The thing about that which really makes it suck is that many of those killed in the likely retaliation will have had nothing to do with the attack in and of itself. Many of these state sponsors of terrorism are dictatorships, either secular or religious in nature.
Look, is Putin an angel? No. I don't think anyone could have been in KGB and not done something that squeamish people will flinch at. But there are also those who make a big deal out of nothing. That Tor-M1 purchase? False hope for Iran (I wrote that Strategypage piece). Five, maybe seven batteries, tops. So Putin is - for all intents and purposes - ripping off our enemies.
And we'll need Russia even more, no matter what happens with Europe. Western Europe has drifted away from us for a while. And no matter if you believe Mark Steyn or Ralph Peters as to what will happen, either way, we will need Russia to counterbalance a more hostile Western Europe (or at least Spain, France, and Germany). That is why Putin gets a pass. We need the Russians.
It's not a disgrace. It's just doing what we have to do to keep the country secure.
Tancredo removes all doubt...
His comments on Miami are worth noting.
Let's look at the folks who actually came to Miami. A bunch of them happen to be from Cuba, a place that has been run by a Communist dictator for over forty years. His name is Fidel Castro, who has handed over the reins of government to his brother Raul. There have been rumors that there is an indictment just about ready to go naming Raul Castro as a big-time cocaine trafficker.
Many of those who immigrated from Cuba to the U.S. and settled in Miami come with little, and end up doing very well for themselves. But that does not matter to him. Miami is a "Third World country". If there is any doubt that the anti-immigration crowd tolerates downright bigotry, it's been removed in my mind. Whatever happened to "all men are created equal"? What ever happened to the notion of judging by the content of one's character?
Tancredo's not just about the rule of law (a point I have discussed earlier... I may refresh that discussion later). He wants America in his aesthetic image. It is a hidden agenda, and clearly, Tancredo is someone who needs to go away. I really do not care if he decides to run third party. Perhaps, like Buchanan, he will so some good by his departure from the GOP.
Let's look at the folks who actually came to Miami. A bunch of them happen to be from Cuba, a place that has been run by a Communist dictator for over forty years. His name is Fidel Castro, who has handed over the reins of government to his brother Raul. There have been rumors that there is an indictment just about ready to go naming Raul Castro as a big-time cocaine trafficker.
Many of those who immigrated from Cuba to the U.S. and settled in Miami come with little, and end up doing very well for themselves. But that does not matter to him. Miami is a "Third World country". If there is any doubt that the anti-immigration crowd tolerates downright bigotry, it's been removed in my mind. Whatever happened to "all men are created equal"? What ever happened to the notion of judging by the content of one's character?
Tancredo's not just about the rule of law (a point I have discussed earlier... I may refresh that discussion later). He wants America in his aesthetic image. It is a hidden agenda, and clearly, Tancredo is someone who needs to go away. I really do not care if he decides to run third party. Perhaps, like Buchanan, he will so some good by his departure from the GOP.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Friday, November 17, 2006
Pelosi's first loss...
Before she even takes over the House, Nancy Pelosi suffered her first loss.
This is good news on a couple of fronts. It means there will be infighting among the Democrats throughout this Congress. It also means that Steny Hoyer will have some control over the agenda.
Not only that, it means that Nancy Pelosi has shown that she can be defied.
It is still very uncertain, but the troops may yet dodge the knife in the back that the anti-war movement has been hoping for.
This is good news on a couple of fronts. It means there will be infighting among the Democrats throughout this Congress. It also means that Steny Hoyer will have some control over the agenda.
Not only that, it means that Nancy Pelosi has shown that she can be defied.
It is still very uncertain, but the troops may yet dodge the knife in the back that the anti-war movement has been hoping for.
Too much movie-watching at NASA?
Given their approach to Apophis, I have to wonder.
I think the latest issue of Popular Mechanics had some good information on this. That said, the answer is really simple. We build a variant of NEAR-Shoemaker. The NEAR-Shoemaker probe successfully landed on an asteroid and remained in contact for 17 days. That is more than enough time for what we need it to do.
You see, in this case, we can modify the baseline NEAR-Shoemaker with a physics package from one of DOD's special stores. Land the probe on the asteroid, activate the physics package, and the problem should be solved. And we have plenty of time. We just need to get off our butts and do it.
Or do we want to get hit?
I think the latest issue of Popular Mechanics had some good information on this. That said, the answer is really simple. We build a variant of NEAR-Shoemaker. The NEAR-Shoemaker probe successfully landed on an asteroid and remained in contact for 17 days. That is more than enough time for what we need it to do.
You see, in this case, we can modify the baseline NEAR-Shoemaker with a physics package from one of DOD's special stores. Land the probe on the asteroid, activate the physics package, and the problem should be solved. And we have plenty of time. We just need to get off our butts and do it.
Or do we want to get hit?
Hypocrisy, thy name is Edwards...
It seems that when he needs to find a PS3, John Edwards went to Wal-Mart. Then he tried to hide it - before he finally fessed up.
Is he the best the Dems can do in 2008?
Is he the best the Dems can do in 2008?
Thursday, November 16, 2006
DJ Drummond on 2008...
DJ Drummond discusses the 2008 race. I believe he is correct in some areas on this.
That said, the GOP faces two risks. One is to nominate a complete drone like Lincoln Chafee or Olympia Snowe. The other is if a hard-liner gets elected. As we saw in the mid-terms, the conservatives alone cannot win an election. They need to be competitive among moderates, small-l libertarians, and Hispanics to be able to reliably win a presidential race.
The "big three" frontrunners, Mitt Romney, John McCain, and Rudy Giuliani, all can ensure that to one degree or another - and that will make 2008 a win for all three branches.
That said, the GOP faces two risks. One is to nominate a complete drone like Lincoln Chafee or Olympia Snowe. The other is if a hard-liner gets elected. As we saw in the mid-terms, the conservatives alone cannot win an election. They need to be competitive among moderates, small-l libertarians, and Hispanics to be able to reliably win a presidential race.
The "big three" frontrunners, Mitt Romney, John McCain, and Rudy Giuliani, all can ensure that to one degree or another - and that will make 2008 a win for all three branches.
Now this is class...
In the 2005 season, Nathan Vasher set an NFL record with a 108-yard returned of a 52-yard field goal that was short. The video is available on Google somewhere - at least for now.
Well, this Sunday night, Devin Hester tied the record. Vasher's response exudes class.
Well done, Nathan. Both on that return, and on handling your teammate's feat.
Well, this Sunday night, Devin Hester tied the record. Vasher's response exudes class.
“We’re going to have to just make it bigger,” said Vasher, whose TD return came exactly one year ago today at Soldier Field. “Scoot over a couple things and add his in there because he definitely deserves it.”
Well done, Nathan. Both on that return, and on handling your teammate's feat.
Powerline almost gets it...
Paul at Powerline gets some of the reasoning for the selection of Mel Martinez as Chairman of the RNC correct. Still, he misses one key point that bears repeating:
There were certain people who pushed a hard line on immigration as a means to salvage the Congressional majority in the face of scandals and the inability to address other issues (like Social Security reform). Other social conservatives wanted their agenda advanced on certain issues. On some, it was reasonable. On others, not so reasonable, particularly in the lack of priorities set. Many of these people have significant sway on both talk radio and in the blogosphere.
Well, there was a payoff date for the attention that the Congressional GOP paid to them. It was November 7. And these people proved they could not deliver. Close doesn't cut it. Now, the GOP has to patch things up with those who these social conservatives offended, including moderates, small-l libertarians, the business community, and Hispanics.
That means the social conservatives now have to take their lumps, and learn to play nicely with others.
There were certain people who pushed a hard line on immigration as a means to salvage the Congressional majority in the face of scandals and the inability to address other issues (like Social Security reform). Other social conservatives wanted their agenda advanced on certain issues. On some, it was reasonable. On others, not so reasonable, particularly in the lack of priorities set. Many of these people have significant sway on both talk radio and in the blogosphere.
Well, there was a payoff date for the attention that the Congressional GOP paid to them. It was November 7. And these people proved they could not deliver. Close doesn't cut it. Now, the GOP has to patch things up with those who these social conservatives offended, including moderates, small-l libertarians, the business community, and Hispanics.
That means the social conservatives now have to take their lumps, and learn to play nicely with others.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
The punishment didn't fit the crime...
Tossing four kittens into a fire pit deserves much more than time served.
What the hard-liners gave us...
Besides Nancy Pelosi and John Murtha being in a position to stab our troops in the back, what else did hard-line conservatives give the country?
* Charles Schumer will now exercise extra-constitutional power with regards to judicial nominations.
* Barbara Boxer is planning hearings on global warming. Just remember, there's been talk of Nuremburg-style trials for global-warming skeptics.
* Patrick Leahy wants to give those al-Qaeda scumbags we have in custody more rights than they would give their intended victims. Three guesses what happens if other rights, like discovery, get extended.
Thanks for nothing, hard-liners.
* Charles Schumer will now exercise extra-constitutional power with regards to judicial nominations.
* Barbara Boxer is planning hearings on global warming. Just remember, there's been talk of Nuremburg-style trials for global-warming skeptics.
* Patrick Leahy wants to give those al-Qaeda scumbags we have in custody more rights than they would give their intended victims. Three guesses what happens if other rights, like discovery, get extended.
Thanks for nothing, hard-liners.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
From CENTCOM...
What the Extremists are Saying is a site worth looking at on a daily basis. If more people were to see this, perhaps people like Michael Moore would get the ridicult they deserve instead of big-time speaking fees.
In particular, take a look at what some Palestinian groups have been saying.
In particular, take a look at what some Palestinian groups have been saying.
Talk about horrible delivery...
It seems a committee of the Missouri House has issued a report blaming illegal immigration on abortion. AJ-Strata believes it is a horrible move.
The sad thing is, it's somewhat true. When I lived on a naval base during part of my time in high school, the base had people with Down Syndrome helping to rake the leaves on the public areas of the base. These days, genetic screening leads to a lot of pressure to terminate a pregnancy if there is a good chance of a baby having this condition.
AJ is right to be pointing out how economic conditions in Central and South America also play a big role. Those with the drive to get here often have the work ethic that has vanished to an extent here. We really need a comprehensive approach to get these people here legally.
That said, this is the kind of hard truth tends to be rejected, largely because this time, it has been delivered in the wrong way.
The sad thing is, it's somewhat true. When I lived on a naval base during part of my time in high school, the base had people with Down Syndrome helping to rake the leaves on the public areas of the base. These days, genetic screening leads to a lot of pressure to terminate a pregnancy if there is a good chance of a baby having this condition.
AJ is right to be pointing out how economic conditions in Central and South America also play a big role. Those with the drive to get here often have the work ethic that has vanished to an extent here. We really need a comprehensive approach to get these people here legally.
That said, this is the kind of hard truth tends to be rejected, largely because this time, it has been delivered in the wrong way.
Martinez for RNC...
Mel Martinez has been selected for RNC Chairman. This is a very good selection.
Not only has Martinez been able to win his Senate race, but his selection is a repudiation of the immigration hard-liners that cost the GOP at least three House seats on their own.
The hard-liners promised the GOP that their approach would secure them the Congressional majorities. They promised that if the House GOP told off George W. Bush, the business community, moderates and small-l libertarians, it would not hurt the GOP. Remember Charlie Norwood telling that staffer from CRS he was "disappointed"?
They misled the GOP, and in the process of doing so, they have forfeited any trust from the GOP. This should have been obvious when Chris Cannon survived his primary in one of the most Republican districts in the country. Yet they persisted, and now, the GOP has to win back those the hard-liners alienated.
Unless they want to be in the minority forever.
Not only has Martinez been able to win his Senate race, but his selection is a repudiation of the immigration hard-liners that cost the GOP at least three House seats on their own.
The hard-liners promised the GOP that their approach would secure them the Congressional majorities. They promised that if the House GOP told off George W. Bush, the business community, moderates and small-l libertarians, it would not hurt the GOP. Remember Charlie Norwood telling that staffer from CRS he was "disappointed"?
They misled the GOP, and in the process of doing so, they have forfeited any trust from the GOP. This should have been obvious when Chris Cannon survived his primary in one of the most Republican districts in the country. Yet they persisted, and now, the GOP has to win back those the hard-liners alienated.
Unless they want to be in the minority forever.
Monday, November 13, 2006
A Major Loss for the Arts Lost in the Shuffle...
Overshadowed by the election news: Basil Poledouris died of cancer last Wednesday at the age of 61. In many ways, it was far too soon.
I first encountered Poledouris' work, like most folks, when I saw Conan the Barbarian. The music was every bit as magical as the Hyborian Age itself. My Conan CD is in my car, where I can play it during the commute. (Now that I've sworn off of the yammering idiots of talk radio, I have much more time to devote to music; I'm entering more deeply into what has always been one of the great pleasures of my life.) Had Robert Howard (Conan's creator) lived to hear the score, I'm sure he would have approved. I also found his work for Flight of the Intruder, Iron Eagle, and Hunt for Red October to be memorable--in the case of the first two, far more memorable than the movies themselves!
I am, with the usual frustrations, missteps, and screwups of a first-timer, writing a novel. I had hoped that Poledouris would have scored the movie (assuming one was made). His work has inspired me; it has led me to consider and flesh out aspects of my main character that I would not have otherwise; it has given me the feelings of wonder, despair, conflict, and soaring triumph that I seek to work into my plot and charcters.
Sadly, we will hear no more of the Maestro's work.
My prayers go out to his family. Requiescat In Pace, Basil.
I first encountered Poledouris' work, like most folks, when I saw Conan the Barbarian. The music was every bit as magical as the Hyborian Age itself. My Conan CD is in my car, where I can play it during the commute. (Now that I've sworn off of the yammering idiots of talk radio, I have much more time to devote to music; I'm entering more deeply into what has always been one of the great pleasures of my life.) Had Robert Howard (Conan's creator) lived to hear the score, I'm sure he would have approved. I also found his work for Flight of the Intruder, Iron Eagle, and Hunt for Red October to be memorable--in the case of the first two, far more memorable than the movies themselves!
I am, with the usual frustrations, missteps, and screwups of a first-timer, writing a novel. I had hoped that Poledouris would have scored the movie (assuming one was made). His work has inspired me; it has led me to consider and flesh out aspects of my main character that I would not have otherwise; it has given me the feelings of wonder, despair, conflict, and soaring triumph that I seek to work into my plot and charcters.
Sadly, we will hear no more of the Maestro's work.
My prayers go out to his family. Requiescat In Pace, Basil.
Let the infighting begin...
Seems Pelosi has not only decided to back Murtha over Steny Hoyer, she is also tossing Jane Harman to the curb.
The question will be whether or not she can muster 218 votes when it comes to cutting off the funds. I don't think she will be able to do so - not without a fearful cost.
The question will be whether or not she can muster 218 votes when it comes to cutting off the funds. I don't think she will be able to do so - not without a fearful cost.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
And the Effort to Bug Out of Iraq Begins...
From Reuters via Yahoo:
And they use the weasel words and hope that we're all too stupid to figure out what he's proposing. I'm going to save a thousand words:
Thank you to the brave Marines and soldiers who tried. As for those who voted to throw them under the train:
If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen. -- Samuel Adams
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats, who won majorities in the U.S. Congress in last week's elections, said on Sunday they will push for a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq to begin in four to six months.
"The first order of business is to change the direction of Iraq policy," said Sen. Carl Levin, a Michigan Democrat who is expected to be chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee in the new Congress.
. . .
"We need to begin a phased redeployment of forces from Iraq in four to six months," Levin said.
Speaking on the same program, Sen. Joseph Biden, a Delaware Democrat who is expected to head the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he supported Levin's proposal for a withdrawal.
And they use the weasel words and hope that we're all too stupid to figure out what he's proposing. I'm going to save a thousand words:
Thank you to the brave Marines and soldiers who tried. As for those who voted to throw them under the train:
If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen. -- Samuel Adams
Not defeated yet...
I, too, have been very nervous about the situation in Congress come January.
Without a doubt, there is going to be a lot more pressure to pull out of Iraq before the job is done. But I do not share the view held by my partner on this blog that things are lost. It is a lot more likely than it would have been had the GOP held control of at least one ouse of Congress, but all is not lost. In the Senate, there is a firewall - Lieberman makes any vote to cut and run 50-50, and there are Democrats who will face tough re-election races (Pryor in Arkansas, Landrieu in Louisiana and Johnson in South Dakota come to mind). Ben Nelson also doesn't strike me as the type of person who can afford being seen as cut-and-run, either.
That means there are Democrats who can be peeled off. The same is true in the House as well. Not all of the Democrats are Pelosi clones - and a fair number of them are in district where "Pelosi-[fill in the blank]" ads could send them into retirement after one term. Already, Pelosi is not going to rock the boat on China. Business groups have been roundly insulted by social conservatives in the immigration debate. Pelosi is going to try not to upset them, lest they decide to oppose the Democrats.
Bush doesn't strike me as someone who will back down. And in this, I will conclude with some comments by William Kristol and Robert Kagan in The Weekly Standard:
Without a doubt, there is going to be a lot more pressure to pull out of Iraq before the job is done. But I do not share the view held by my partner on this blog that things are lost. It is a lot more likely than it would have been had the GOP held control of at least one ouse of Congress, but all is not lost. In the Senate, there is a firewall - Lieberman makes any vote to cut and run 50-50, and there are Democrats who will face tough re-election races (Pryor in Arkansas, Landrieu in Louisiana and Johnson in South Dakota come to mind). Ben Nelson also doesn't strike me as the type of person who can afford being seen as cut-and-run, either.
That means there are Democrats who can be peeled off. The same is true in the House as well. Not all of the Democrats are Pelosi clones - and a fair number of them are in district where "Pelosi-[fill in the blank]" ads could send them into retirement after one term. Already, Pelosi is not going to rock the boat on China. Business groups have been roundly insulted by social conservatives in the immigration debate. Pelosi is going to try not to upset them, lest they decide to oppose the Democrats.
Bush doesn't strike me as someone who will back down. And in this, I will conclude with some comments by William Kristol and Robert Kagan in The Weekly Standard:
There is a lot of easy talk of how a victory strategy in Iraq has been rendered impossible by Tuesday's elections. This is nonsense. First of all, victory in Iraq is a national priority, and to abandon it because of a loss of House and Senate seats would be irresponsible. But it is also the case that the loss of seats was in great measure due to a lack of confidence that Bush had a strategy for victory in Iraq, not a belief that he wasn't exiting fast enough. If the president makes clear that he is serious about victory, and has a strategy for attaining it, he will have the support he needs in order to do what is necessary to turn things around in Iraq.The next two years will be a hell of a fight for our country's future - it will be a distraction that will mean we fact a higher risk of being hit in the future, but the war has not been lost yet.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
A veteran's thoughts on Veteran's Day...
Originally, it was Armistice Day, the anniversary of the day in 1918 that the "War to End All Wars" ended. It was renamed Veteran's Day in 1954. For 52 years, America has taken this day to honor all of its veterans.
On Tuesday, America voted to throw away the sacrifices made by thousands of men and women in Iraq. We will end up pulling out of Iraq. All I personally ask is that we call it what it is--bugging out, retreating, surrendering. Please spare me the "Peace With Honor" crap that was used in Vietnam--let's just admit that we're not any sort of military superpower if we can't sustain a war across three years and 3,000 dead. Every life lost in Iraq now that the end is nigh is a true waste, because the end will be unchanged.
This isn't the first time we've walked away from a national commitment and thrown away everything our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines have bled and died for. We did it in Vietnam. That left a tremendous scar on our military; I was still feeling the effects as a Marine 8-16 years later. Today's NCOs and officers have my sympathy as they try to hold together a military that is feeling as if it's the bastard stepchild nobody wants to acknowledge. There's only so many times that the troops can be thrown under the train like this and then respond to the clarion call of duty. Treat the troops like trash long enough, and you will eventually only have trash for troops.
This year's ceremonies felt empty, and tasted like ashes in my mouth. The usual civic worthies stood up and uttered the usual platitudes about duty, honor, and country. But they were mere words. America has a habit of uttering pretty words to our servicemen and veterans while performing all manner of ugly deeds against them. There are Vietnam veterans who have all manner of tales about their welcome home, and their postwar treatment. Hollywood treated Vietnam veterans shamefully, describing them in numerous films as drug-addicted misfits who could not integrate into American society. No doubt similar treatment will be forthcoming for returning Iraq war veterans as America seeks to forget why we went and what we tried to do.
I have to confess that my own feelings about my service are ambivalent. I am proud to have been associated with some of the finest men and women I've ever met. I am embarrassed to have served on behalf of the many selfish, ungrateful, undisciplined, and supremely ignorant assholes I've encountered in civilian life. Today, I counseled a young man who was thinking of becoming a trigger-puller in the war on terror to not bother; America is simply not willing to commit to a war, and he cannot supply the missing commitment.
So, where to from here?
I propose drastically scaling back the United States Army and Marine Corps. If we are unwilling to stand behind our warriors, we need to quit recruiting them and sending them into battle. We can also decommission the surface and air elements of our Navy, as it will no longer be necessary to support amphibious landings, sustain forces in overseas theaters, maintain sea lines of communication, or engage in most power projection missions.
Take the money saved, abrogate the START, START 2, and SORT agreements, and massively build up our nuclear forces--additional ICBMs, fully MIRVed, additional SSBNs with full loadouts of W88s, and additional bomber forces with a new series of gravity bombs and cruise missiles. Testing, of course, will be required. Reconfigure the attack submarine force with TLAM-N. And, in the future, respond to every national crisis or terrorist attack with a large nuclear strike against the miscreants--or suspected miscreants. If necessary, explain that when the only tool we have is a hammer, every problem's going to look like a nail.
Oh, and tell our allies out there that they're on their own. Of course, they've probably figured it out already.
Many years ago, Jerry Pournelle wrote an excellent novel West of Honor (available here), which includes a lovely little marching ditty attributed to the CoDominium Marines of his dystopian future. I reproduce it in part, because it perfectly mirrors my feelings about my service and about America:
Kiss my ass, America.
On Tuesday, America voted to throw away the sacrifices made by thousands of men and women in Iraq. We will end up pulling out of Iraq. All I personally ask is that we call it what it is--bugging out, retreating, surrendering. Please spare me the "Peace With Honor" crap that was used in Vietnam--let's just admit that we're not any sort of military superpower if we can't sustain a war across three years and 3,000 dead. Every life lost in Iraq now that the end is nigh is a true waste, because the end will be unchanged.
This isn't the first time we've walked away from a national commitment and thrown away everything our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines have bled and died for. We did it in Vietnam. That left a tremendous scar on our military; I was still feeling the effects as a Marine 8-16 years later. Today's NCOs and officers have my sympathy as they try to hold together a military that is feeling as if it's the bastard stepchild nobody wants to acknowledge. There's only so many times that the troops can be thrown under the train like this and then respond to the clarion call of duty. Treat the troops like trash long enough, and you will eventually only have trash for troops.
This year's ceremonies felt empty, and tasted like ashes in my mouth. The usual civic worthies stood up and uttered the usual platitudes about duty, honor, and country. But they were mere words. America has a habit of uttering pretty words to our servicemen and veterans while performing all manner of ugly deeds against them. There are Vietnam veterans who have all manner of tales about their welcome home, and their postwar treatment. Hollywood treated Vietnam veterans shamefully, describing them in numerous films as drug-addicted misfits who could not integrate into American society. No doubt similar treatment will be forthcoming for returning Iraq war veterans as America seeks to forget why we went and what we tried to do.
I have to confess that my own feelings about my service are ambivalent. I am proud to have been associated with some of the finest men and women I've ever met. I am embarrassed to have served on behalf of the many selfish, ungrateful, undisciplined, and supremely ignorant assholes I've encountered in civilian life. Today, I counseled a young man who was thinking of becoming a trigger-puller in the war on terror to not bother; America is simply not willing to commit to a war, and he cannot supply the missing commitment.
So, where to from here?
I propose drastically scaling back the United States Army and Marine Corps. If we are unwilling to stand behind our warriors, we need to quit recruiting them and sending them into battle. We can also decommission the surface and air elements of our Navy, as it will no longer be necessary to support amphibious landings, sustain forces in overseas theaters, maintain sea lines of communication, or engage in most power projection missions.
Take the money saved, abrogate the START, START 2, and SORT agreements, and massively build up our nuclear forces--additional ICBMs, fully MIRVed, additional SSBNs with full loadouts of W88s, and additional bomber forces with a new series of gravity bombs and cruise missiles. Testing, of course, will be required. Reconfigure the attack submarine force with TLAM-N. And, in the future, respond to every national crisis or terrorist attack with a large nuclear strike against the miscreants--or suspected miscreants. If necessary, explain that when the only tool we have is a hammer, every problem's going to look like a nail.
Oh, and tell our allies out there that they're on their own. Of course, they've probably figured it out already.
Many years ago, Jerry Pournelle wrote an excellent novel West of Honor (available here), which includes a lovely little marching ditty attributed to the CoDominium Marines of his dystopian future. I reproduce it in part, because it perfectly mirrors my feelings about my service and about America:
The Fleet is our country, we sleep with a rifle,
No man ever begot a son on his rifle,
They pay us in gin and curse when we sin,
There's not one that can stand us unless we're downwind,
We're shot when we lose and turned out when we win,
But we bury our comrades wherever they fall,
And there's none that can face us, though we've nothing at all.
Kiss my ass, America.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Done with the pundits...
AJ-Strata discusses how some people put conservatism before the country's victory in the war on terror.
Given the way certain people have acted (Limbaugh, Ingraham, Malkin, etc.), it is clear that since at least the fall of 2005, President Bush has been repeatedly kneecapped by conservatives who demanded ideological purity on immigration and other issues.
Limbaugh's recent comments about Bush's decision to allow Rumsfeld to resign (after rejecting at least two previous offers from Rummy) are the final straw. I will not be renewing my subscriptions to the Limbaugh Letter and Rush 24/7. He should be ashamed of himself - particularly given the 3:30 press conference with Rumsfeld and Gates. Rush and these others never got it through their heads that 9/11 required some changes in priorities.
To an extent, this is Bush's fault. At the CPAC convention after the attacks, he should have told conservatives things had changed and that their petty issues had to take a back seat to victory. Perhaps he thought it was something they'd understand. But it is water under the bridge. With the benefit of hindsight it is obvious that he also erred by not going for an increase in forces.
The only place conservatism should come before country is in the dictionary. This country's survival matters more than ideological purity on a host of issues that were little more than chump change compared to this country's victory in time of war.
I'm through with them. It seems that conservatism has not yet decided that the war on terror is something it should take seriously. A large number of conservatives do take it seriously, but there is a faction that hasn't - and that faction contains many influential people, particularly in talk radio and in the blogosphere. And now, rather than focus on preventing the Pelosi Democrats from stabbing our troops in the back, they are more interested in conducting an internal purge of "RINOs" who dare disagree on immigration or other pet issues.
They have placed the war effort at risk. By pushing this purge now, they are risking handing al-Qaeda a victory through action on misplaced priorities. They are wrong to do so, and as a result, they have forfeited their moral authority to lead. As far as I am concerned, they can go to hell - and if they want favors, they can ask the Democrats. President Bush owes them nothing.
Given the way certain people have acted (Limbaugh, Ingraham, Malkin, etc.), it is clear that since at least the fall of 2005, President Bush has been repeatedly kneecapped by conservatives who demanded ideological purity on immigration and other issues.
Limbaugh's recent comments about Bush's decision to allow Rumsfeld to resign (after rejecting at least two previous offers from Rummy) are the final straw. I will not be renewing my subscriptions to the Limbaugh Letter and Rush 24/7. He should be ashamed of himself - particularly given the 3:30 press conference with Rumsfeld and Gates. Rush and these others never got it through their heads that 9/11 required some changes in priorities.
To an extent, this is Bush's fault. At the CPAC convention after the attacks, he should have told conservatives things had changed and that their petty issues had to take a back seat to victory. Perhaps he thought it was something they'd understand. But it is water under the bridge. With the benefit of hindsight it is obvious that he also erred by not going for an increase in forces.
The only place conservatism should come before country is in the dictionary. This country's survival matters more than ideological purity on a host of issues that were little more than chump change compared to this country's victory in time of war.
I'm through with them. It seems that conservatism has not yet decided that the war on terror is something it should take seriously. A large number of conservatives do take it seriously, but there is a faction that hasn't - and that faction contains many influential people, particularly in talk radio and in the blogosphere. And now, rather than focus on preventing the Pelosi Democrats from stabbing our troops in the back, they are more interested in conducting an internal purge of "RINOs" who dare disagree on immigration or other pet issues.
They have placed the war effort at risk. By pushing this purge now, they are risking handing al-Qaeda a victory through action on misplaced priorities. They are wrong to do so, and as a result, they have forfeited their moral authority to lead. As far as I am concerned, they can go to hell - and if they want favors, they can ask the Democrats. President Bush owes them nothing.
Now Pelosi's real problems begin...
Congratulations, Speaker Pelosi, you get to deal with this. A bitter internal battle over Iraq between Steny Hoyer and John Murtha. Murtha wants to cut and run. Hoyer doesn't.
In past votes, Murtha's resolution got defeated soundly. If Murtha loses, then the Bush administration can play divide and conquer. James Dunnigan and Austin Bay wrote in A Quick and Dirty Guide to War (both the 1985 and 1991 editions), "When revolutionaries get rid of the government, they become the government. Then their real problems begin."
Nancy's about to find out.
In past votes, Murtha's resolution got defeated soundly. If Murtha loses, then the Bush administration can play divide and conquer. James Dunnigan and Austin Bay wrote in A Quick and Dirty Guide to War (both the 1985 and 1991 editions), "When revolutionaries get rid of the government, they become the government. Then their real problems begin."
Nancy's about to find out.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Gates in for Rumsfeld...
President Bush has gone to the bullpen - after a very quality start to the war on terror, including a very heroic performance on 9/11.
Rumsfeld has been one of the best to have ever served as Secretary of Defense. He did so twice. This second time through was one of the more challenging times. On his watch as Secretary of Defense, three state sponsors of terror were taken off the board.
His treatment at the hands of the media and the Democrats is a black mark on both entities. The President's treatment at the hands of conservatives over this is also disgusting.
As for his successor, Robert Gates, I feel good. A lot of it is the complaints from Larry Johnson. I feel good. The war on terror may hit a more covert phase.
Rumsfeld has been one of the best to have ever served as Secretary of Defense. He did so twice. This second time through was one of the more challenging times. On his watch as Secretary of Defense, three state sponsors of terror were taken off the board.
His treatment at the hands of the media and the Democrats is a black mark on both entities. The President's treatment at the hands of conservatives over this is also disgusting.
As for his successor, Robert Gates, I feel good. A lot of it is the complaints from Larry Johnson. I feel good. The war on terror may hit a more covert phase.
Stopping the knife...
At this point, the top priority of Republicans must be to stop the knife. This is a knife that Charlie Rangel and John Murtha have all but promised to aim at the backs of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines through a "cut-and-run" policy with regards to Iraq.
Who are the natural leaders for such a thing? I would submit that it would be the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who will have many members who have felt the knife in the back that came during Vietnam.
This is something that needs to be resisted every step of the way. Presidential vetoes. Demonstrations. Ads on TV. Anything within the law must be considered to stop the betrayal of the people of Iraq that John Murtha and Charlie Rangel have promised.
Who are the natural leaders for such a thing? I would submit that it would be the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who will have many members who have felt the knife in the back that came during Vietnam.
This is something that needs to be resisted every step of the way. Presidential vetoes. Demonstrations. Ads on TV. Anything within the law must be considered to stop the betrayal of the people of Iraq that John Murtha and Charlie Rangel have promised.
Disaster...
That's what last night was. Scandals were part of it. Foleygate managed to derail GOP momentum, and they never really recovered. Ney and DeLay also didn't help.
But the House Republicans also managed to tick off people whose support they needed. On immigration, the views of the Chamber of Commerce were ignored at best - and other conservatives labeled their position treason. It's a safe bet that a lot of Hispanics were turned off by the anti-immigration position as well. I cannot be enthusiastic about a movement who regards my disagreement with them on a solution to a problem the country is facing to be proof of treason.
Already at RedState, the talk of a purge seems to be starting. If they really go through with it, they're gonna lose in 2008, and victory in the war on terror will be in doubt.
But the House Republicans also managed to tick off people whose support they needed. On immigration, the views of the Chamber of Commerce were ignored at best - and other conservatives labeled their position treason. It's a safe bet that a lot of Hispanics were turned off by the anti-immigration position as well. I cannot be enthusiastic about a movement who regards my disagreement with them on a solution to a problem the country is facing to be proof of treason.
Already at RedState, the talk of a purge seems to be starting. If they really go through with it, they're gonna lose in 2008, and victory in the war on terror will be in doubt.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Another Romney hire...
This time, it is the strategist who beat McCain in South Carolina in 2000.
Romney's getting ready to have devastating return fire to any of McCain's Mormon-baiting (go to Article6Blog for great coverage of the religious issue as it pertains to a Romney candidacy).
Romney's getting ready to have devastating return fire to any of McCain's Mormon-baiting (go to Article6Blog for great coverage of the religious issue as it pertains to a Romney candidacy).
Channeling Kos...
When it comes to immigration, a number of conservatives tend to act about as intolerant of competing viewpoints as the posters at Daily Kos do. The reaction to Ruben Navarette's latest column at Townhall is a classic case.
Several of the commenters are deliverately giving him 1 star - with the expressed intention of convincing Townhall that he should be dropped. Many of these name-callers are long on overheated rhetoric and name-calling, but very short on refuting his points. This has been the case on a number of conservative discussion boards that I've been on.
The worst parts are the insinuation by some of these hardliners that those who disagree with them on this issue are Quislings, "agents of Mexico", or traitors - or supporting the "dispossession of America" (without discussing how exactly, America would be dispossessed). Their proof of this "treachery" is merely the fact that people will support different solutions to the issue of illegal immigration.
In other words, if you think it's going way overboard to prosecute a sports agent who helped over two dozen people escape the Communist dictatorship in Cuba (including five who wanted to play professional baseball), you're no better than a traitor.
If Townhall does cave into this sort of mentality, it will lose my support and readership. There are conservatives who favor a comprehensive approach, like Chris Cannon, Linda Chavez, Jack Kemp, and Sam Brownback. Michelle Malkin and Tom Tancredo do not speak for all conservatives on this issue, and Townhall should stand athwart this effort to prevent a debate on this matter.
If not, then it's really no better than Kos.
Several of the commenters are deliverately giving him 1 star - with the expressed intention of convincing Townhall that he should be dropped. Many of these name-callers are long on overheated rhetoric and name-calling, but very short on refuting his points. This has been the case on a number of conservative discussion boards that I've been on.
The worst parts are the insinuation by some of these hardliners that those who disagree with them on this issue are Quislings, "agents of Mexico", or traitors - or supporting the "dispossession of America" (without discussing how exactly, America would be dispossessed). Their proof of this "treachery" is merely the fact that people will support different solutions to the issue of illegal immigration.
In other words, if you think it's going way overboard to prosecute a sports agent who helped over two dozen people escape the Communist dictatorship in Cuba (including five who wanted to play professional baseball), you're no better than a traitor.
If Townhall does cave into this sort of mentality, it will lose my support and readership. There are conservatives who favor a comprehensive approach, like Chris Cannon, Linda Chavez, Jack Kemp, and Sam Brownback. Michelle Malkin and Tom Tancredo do not speak for all conservatives on this issue, and Townhall should stand athwart this effort to prevent a debate on this matter.
If not, then it's really no better than Kos.
The best case against judicial activism I've seen...
Laura Vanderkam discusses the referendum on South Dakota's ban on abortion with only an exception to save the life of the mother.
The last paragraph puts it better than anything I have ever seen:
Judicial activism - like Roe v. Wade and the gay marriage cases - harms the country, especially when millions of people are suddenly told that their voices will not be heard. Not only does it rob the people of their right to be heard on an issue, it robs them of the chance to reach a compromise that everyone can live with - and the chance to form a consensus on these issues.
Today, I voted for Virginia's constitutional amendment to at least be heard on the issue. I wish there was some other way. I wish I did not have to worry about having my votes nullified after a debate in secret by a small group of judges.
The last paragraph puts it better than anything I have ever seen:
It raises the question: What if all our abortion battles had been fought this way — democratically, with messy compromises — over the past 33 years? We might have reached an answer by now. Maybe. But if South Dakota's any indicator, we'd be a lot less strident. Abortion may be a battleground, but as Unruh says, "We don't have to turn it into a civil war."
Judicial activism - like Roe v. Wade and the gay marriage cases - harms the country, especially when millions of people are suddenly told that their voices will not be heard. Not only does it rob the people of their right to be heard on an issue, it robs them of the chance to reach a compromise that everyone can live with - and the chance to form a consensus on these issues.
Today, I voted for Virginia's constitutional amendment to at least be heard on the issue. I wish there was some other way. I wish I did not have to worry about having my votes nullified after a debate in secret by a small group of judges.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Saddam: Death by Hanging
Saddam Hussein sentenced to death by hanging . . .
With apologies to Dos Gringos . . .
Oh, his name's Saddam Hussein, fuck 'em all!
Oh, his name's Saddam Hussein, fuck 'em all!
Oh, his name's Saddam Hussein,
And he's so fucking insane
He's been such a fucking pain
So fuck 'em all!
Oh, they say he's gonna swing, fuck 'em all!
Oh, they say he's gonna swing, fuck 'em all!
Oh, they say he's gonna swing,
From a piece of fucking string
What a silly fucking thing
So fuck 'em all!
With apologies to Dos Gringos . . .
Oh, his name's Saddam Hussein, fuck 'em all!
Oh, his name's Saddam Hussein, fuck 'em all!
Oh, his name's Saddam Hussein,
And he's so fucking insane
He's been such a fucking pain
So fuck 'em all!
Oh, they say he's gonna swing, fuck 'em all!
Oh, they say he's gonna swing, fuck 'em all!
Oh, they say he's gonna swing,
From a piece of fucking string
What a silly fucking thing
So fuck 'em all!
I hate the Dolphins...
Bad enough that they derail another run for an undefeated season. But this Dolphins team?
And Rex Grossman? I'm not sure he's able to handle the starting job. Better to put Kyle Orton back as starting QB.
And Rex Grossman? I'm not sure he's able to handle the starting job. Better to put Kyle Orton back as starting QB.
Bush still in style?
That is what Eve Fairbanks has pointed out. I'm inclined to agree - and it's also a sign that perhaps approval/disapproval is not the end-all and be-all of this election. There is a segment of those who disapprove of Bush from the right.
Back in 1972, Richard Nixon had an approval rating in the pits. He also won in a landslide despite an approval rating arguably worse than President Bush's. You see, while only 35% approved of his policy in Vietnam, a fair chunk of those who disapproved of hsi performance did so because they felt that Nixon wasn't fighing hard enough.
The same is true here. Bush takes criticism from those right who think he is not fighting hard enough, or doesn't declare Islam the enemy (as opposed to terrorists), or because he's not banning abortion immediately, or because he supports a comprehensive immigration reform bill. But will those disagreements result in votes for Democrats who favor outright anmesty and cutting and running in the war on terror?
Somehow, that's a stretch.
Back in 1972, Richard Nixon had an approval rating in the pits. He also won in a landslide despite an approval rating arguably worse than President Bush's. You see, while only 35% approved of his policy in Vietnam, a fair chunk of those who disapproved of hsi performance did so because they felt that Nixon wasn't fighing hard enough.
The same is true here. Bush takes criticism from those right who think he is not fighting hard enough, or doesn't declare Islam the enemy (as opposed to terrorists), or because he's not banning abortion immediately, or because he supports a comprehensive immigration reform bill. But will those disagreements result in votes for Democrats who favor outright anmesty and cutting and running in the war on terror?
Somehow, that's a stretch.
Friday, November 03, 2006
On the documents story...
My partner-in-blogging has discussed the New York Times story. I, too, will add some thoughts - and give out some well-deserved praise.
Blogger jveritas, who has been doing yeoman's work translating a very small fraction of the documents recovered during the liberation of Iraq, has responded to the New York Times article.
At the very least, these documents should lift a huge burden from the shoulders of former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Particularly the New York Times article. The worst you can say about our intelligence on these programs was that it had taken a worst-case scenario in light of discovering how far along Saddam had been in acquiring nukes in 1991 (which they had been pretty far off on).
Secretary Powell is a good man and a great American. In both his Army career and his tenture as Secretary of State, I believe he did the best job he possibly could have. I have had disagreements with him in the past, most notably over his decision to blacklist the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (or AUC) and his position on interrogations and military tribunals for terrorists (also see here for more thoughts on the issue). That said, I believe he is a person dedicated to the United States of America, and that he deserves everyone's respect for his service to this country. I also believe he has taken grossly unfair criticism over his actions during the run-up to the liberation of Iraq and for his actions and conduct in the investigation of the alleged leak of Valerie Plame's name from many conservatives.
Right now, I cannot find the words to provide the proper praise for jveritas and what he has done. His work at http://www.iraqdocs.blogspot.com has been invaluable to this country. The blogosphere enables one person to make a difference. In this case, jveritas has done just that, and he deserves praise from all for what he has done. The lies of the anti-war movement would have gone unrefuted had it not been for his efforts. That alone has probably done more to win the war on terror than we will ever know.
One other thing... the New York Times earlier held this release in contempt, scoffing at the notion any sort of evidence backing up the rationale for war could be found in these documents. It's a very interesting about-face, don't you think?
Blogger jveritas, who has been doing yeoman's work translating a very small fraction of the documents recovered during the liberation of Iraq, has responded to the New York Times article.
At the very least, these documents should lift a huge burden from the shoulders of former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Particularly the New York Times article. The worst you can say about our intelligence on these programs was that it had taken a worst-case scenario in light of discovering how far along Saddam had been in acquiring nukes in 1991 (which they had been pretty far off on).
Secretary Powell is a good man and a great American. In both his Army career and his tenture as Secretary of State, I believe he did the best job he possibly could have. I have had disagreements with him in the past, most notably over his decision to blacklist the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (or AUC) and his position on interrogations and military tribunals for terrorists (also see here for more thoughts on the issue). That said, I believe he is a person dedicated to the United States of America, and that he deserves everyone's respect for his service to this country. I also believe he has taken grossly unfair criticism over his actions during the run-up to the liberation of Iraq and for his actions and conduct in the investigation of the alleged leak of Valerie Plame's name from many conservatives.
Right now, I cannot find the words to provide the proper praise for jveritas and what he has done. His work at http://www.iraqdocs.blogspot.com has been invaluable to this country. The blogosphere enables one person to make a difference. In this case, jveritas has done just that, and he deserves praise from all for what he has done. The lies of the anti-war movement would have gone unrefuted had it not been for his efforts. That alone has probably done more to win the war on terror than we will ever know.
One other thing... the New York Times earlier held this release in contempt, scoffing at the notion any sort of evidence backing up the rationale for war could be found in these documents. It's a very interesting about-face, don't you think?
Bush Lied--er, Never Mind!
The most pernicious meme of the war in Iraq is "Bush Lied." We are told by various liberal talking heads that Saddam Hussein did not have a nuclear weapons program, blah, blah, blah.
But if that statement is true, why is the New York Times reporting that the Operation Iraqi Freedom document archive included documents that "constitute a basic guide to building an atomic bomb?"
In their haste to do something to reinvigorate the Democrat campaign for Congress, the New York Times had to resort to "Bush helped the Iranians develop nukes." Never mind that Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan seems to be the main culprit here. The momentum was going against Democrats! Something had to be done in the wake of Kerry's gaffe!
I'm sure that I'm not the only member of the Pajamahadeen commenting on this (indeed, I am actually in my pajamas as I write this). I'm sure that the New York Times editorial staff is starting to realize that they're about to get Rathergated this weekend.
And, in the GOP War Room, Karl Rove lights a cigar and says, "I love it when a plan comes together."
But if that statement is true, why is the New York Times reporting that the Operation Iraqi Freedom document archive included documents that "constitute a basic guide to building an atomic bomb?"
In their haste to do something to reinvigorate the Democrat campaign for Congress, the New York Times had to resort to "Bush helped the Iranians develop nukes." Never mind that Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan seems to be the main culprit here. The momentum was going against Democrats! Something had to be done in the wake of Kerry's gaffe!
I'm sure that I'm not the only member of the Pajamahadeen commenting on this (indeed, I am actually in my pajamas as I write this). I'm sure that the New York Times editorial staff is starting to realize that they're about to get Rathergated this weekend.
And, in the GOP War Room, Karl Rove lights a cigar and says, "I love it when a plan comes together."
When the Mask Slips...
The recent comments by Seymour Hersh and Senator John Kerry were the slippage of a mask that some prominent members of the anti-war movement have had for a while. Often, when the anti-war movement has been protesting, they claim that they support the troops.
Senator Kerry’s comments concerned an alleged lack of intelligence among the troops and the notion that many of the recruits are poor. First of all, the comment was grossly inaccurate. Every year since 1983, over 90 percent of all recruits have at least a high school diploma. Many officers and enlisted personnel tend to get college degrees (both graduate and undergraduate), often paid for by the armed services. The claim that most of the recruits are poor also did not stand up to facts. Most of the recruits come from middle-class families. These recruits also score high on the AVSAB tests (two-thirds of recruits score over 60 percent on the test).
Kerry’s comments, for which a lame “I’m sorry if you were offended” apology was issued, are not the worst concerning the troops. Some scurrilous and very incendiary charges came from Seymour Hersh, a journalist who broke various stories in the Vietnam War. Hersh openly called for American troops to be treated as they were when they returned from Vietnam.
Hersh claimed that the American forces in Iraq were carrying out atrocities. In one instance, he claimed a video of a massacre at a soccer game in the wake of an IED attack existed. Yet Hersh made this claim at a lecture at McGill University in Canada. He apparently had not heard of the Army’s Criminal Investigative Division and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (the latter of which is the subject of a popular prime-time TV series). One just has to ask why Hersh did not try to pass this evidence on to the Department of Defense – or one of the investigative agencies – so it could be investigated.
The history of claims of abuse and torture – not to mention massacres – against American troops has shown that more often than not, there wasn’t much in the way of facts to back up the charges. Claims concerning mistreatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay in 2005 were discovered to have been blown out of proportion and lacking context (for instance, an interrogator who was spat on smeared red ink on a detainee she was questioning). In 2002, claims of a massacre by Israeli troops at Jenin were discovered to be unfounded (of the 52 killed, at least 30 had been terrorists with Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other terrorist groups). Claims made earlier this year of a cover-up with regards to an alleged massacre at Haditha were proven to be false.
Given this track record of accepting (and making) dubious claims, and insulting the troops while opposing the mission they are on, the anti-war movement's mask has slipped significantly. Underneath it all, when it comes down to it, their support of the troops is little more than lip service to the concept that is belied by their actions.
Senator Kerry’s comments concerned an alleged lack of intelligence among the troops and the notion that many of the recruits are poor. First of all, the comment was grossly inaccurate. Every year since 1983, over 90 percent of all recruits have at least a high school diploma. Many officers and enlisted personnel tend to get college degrees (both graduate and undergraduate), often paid for by the armed services. The claim that most of the recruits are poor also did not stand up to facts. Most of the recruits come from middle-class families. These recruits also score high on the AVSAB tests (two-thirds of recruits score over 60 percent on the test).
Kerry’s comments, for which a lame “I’m sorry if you were offended” apology was issued, are not the worst concerning the troops. Some scurrilous and very incendiary charges came from Seymour Hersh, a journalist who broke various stories in the Vietnam War. Hersh openly called for American troops to be treated as they were when they returned from Vietnam.
Hersh claimed that the American forces in Iraq were carrying out atrocities. In one instance, he claimed a video of a massacre at a soccer game in the wake of an IED attack existed. Yet Hersh made this claim at a lecture at McGill University in Canada. He apparently had not heard of the Army’s Criminal Investigative Division and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (the latter of which is the subject of a popular prime-time TV series). One just has to ask why Hersh did not try to pass this evidence on to the Department of Defense – or one of the investigative agencies – so it could be investigated.
The history of claims of abuse and torture – not to mention massacres – against American troops has shown that more often than not, there wasn’t much in the way of facts to back up the charges. Claims concerning mistreatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay in 2005 were discovered to have been blown out of proportion and lacking context (for instance, an interrogator who was spat on smeared red ink on a detainee she was questioning). In 2002, claims of a massacre by Israeli troops at Jenin were discovered to be unfounded (of the 52 killed, at least 30 had been terrorists with Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other terrorist groups). Claims made earlier this year of a cover-up with regards to an alleged massacre at Haditha were proven to be false.
Given this track record of accepting (and making) dubious claims, and insulting the troops while opposing the mission they are on, the anti-war movement's mask has slipped significantly. Underneath it all, when it comes down to it, their support of the troops is little more than lip service to the concept that is belied by their actions.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
What the anti-war movement really thinks of the troops...
Seymour Hersh now opens up, in addition to some 1972 gems from John Kerry.
I find it interesting that he seems to think that the liberators of two countries that had previously been ruled by dictatorial regimes that sponsored terrorism (including shooting wheelchair-bound elderly men and flying airliners into buildings) are the murderers. What about the terrorists, Mr. Hersh?
And John Kerry... well, he felt we can't draft people into the military, but he didsn't want a volunteer force, either. I guess he did not want us to have any military at all. His voting record sure reads that way...
I find it interesting that he seems to think that the liberators of two countries that had previously been ruled by dictatorial regimes that sponsored terrorism (including shooting wheelchair-bound elderly men and flying airliners into buildings) are the murderers. What about the terrorists, Mr. Hersh?
And John Kerry... well, he felt we can't draft people into the military, but he didsn't want a volunteer force, either. I guess he did not want us to have any military at all. His voting record sure reads that way...
Kerry and McCaskill...
Both John Kerry and Claire McCaskill have done some very dumb things. McCaskill should have checked out that soldier's claims before he ran a single ad for her. She didn't, and it was "give Mark Anderson a clean shot at the quarterback so he can get a sack and force a fumble" dumb. John Kerry, by responding in such a Dixie Chicks fashion, then making his apology via a web site after vowing he wouldn't, then finally running off to hide for the rest of the campaign, has been "punt the ball on a line drive to Devin Hester" dumb.
I'm with AJ-Strata.
I'm with AJ-Strata.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Beating the Heat...
The NBA is under way, and it looks like the Chicago Bulls have turned things around after about six years of post-Jordan blues.
Is this supporting the troops?
Austin Bay, Hedgehog Central, and a host of other blogs have the details on John Kerry's comments. I guess their idea of supporting the troops is to call them stupid and ignorant, oppose the mission they are on, and to deprive them of the intelligence they need by revealing the efforts of various agencies to track terrorists.
And Kerry's response to being called out on it is soooo Dixie Chicks. For these folks, it seems that freedom of speech means that they should not have to suffer the consequences of that speech.
Right. Sure.
Sorry, but I've been writing for Strategypage for a while. And some of my stuff has ticked people off. I deal with it, Senator Kerry, and you ought to be man enough to deal with the fact that people will have opinions about you running your mouth. I have no respect for people who can't take criticism when they dish out a lot of trash talk.
And Kerry's response to being called out on it is soooo Dixie Chicks. For these folks, it seems that freedom of speech means that they should not have to suffer the consequences of that speech.
Right. Sure.
Sorry, but I've been writing for Strategypage for a while. And some of my stuff has ticked people off. I deal with it, Senator Kerry, and you ought to be man enough to deal with the fact that people will have opinions about you running your mouth. I have no respect for people who can't take criticism when they dish out a lot of trash talk.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Food cops on the loose...
This time, it is New York City. It never fails... there are always killjoys and control freaks out there trying to make sure people can't enjoy themselves.
KFC was able to do the job on its own - but they did it right. They made sure that it wouldn't compromise the product. Now, we could have cops pulled from important things - like putting away criminals, to go after chefs who use the wrong oil to fry food in.
KFC was able to do the job on its own - but they did it right. They made sure that it wouldn't compromise the product. Now, we could have cops pulled from important things - like putting away criminals, to go after chefs who use the wrong oil to fry food in.
A successful raid...
Even if none of the big fish got taken out, the madrassa raid was a success. These places provide the training for eventual terrorists. If you don't have trained troops, you end up on the wrong end of things like the Marianas Turkey Shoot.
Making judicial activism the issue...
The New Jersey Supreme Court probably gave the GOP the Senate in 2006. President Bush is already discussing their imposition of gay marriage in that state. The real problem is when a gay couple gets married in New Jersey, then sues in court to have their marriage recognized in their home state - and that will be when the real crisis hits.
At that point, the judges will have to decide if they will override the elected representatives of the people - or if they will avoid making laws from the bench.
At that point, the judges will have to decide if they will override the elected representatives of the people - or if they will avoid making laws from the bench.
Monday, October 30, 2006
The Bears were coasting for a half...
That's the only real downside to the latest Bears game.
And how about Mark Anderson, who seems to be the steal of the NFL draft? 7.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 1 pass deflected - in seven games. Houston fans must be in agony knowing that the Texans passed on Reggie Bush to get Mario Williams (3.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery). The Texans could have taken Bush first overall, and grabbed Anderson before the Bears, and they would be in much better shape as a team.
Expect GM/coaching changes for the Texans soon if this keeps up.
And how about Mark Anderson, who seems to be the steal of the NFL draft? 7.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 1 pass deflected - in seven games. Houston fans must be in agony knowing that the Texans passed on Reggie Bush to get Mario Williams (3.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery). The Texans could have taken Bush first overall, and grabbed Anderson before the Bears, and they would be in much better shape as a team.
Expect GM/coaching changes for the Texans soon if this keeps up.
He didn't read the proposal...
Michael J. Fox has just blown his credibility and a fair chunk of his fan base - see Strata-Sphere for more details.
This leads me to wonder - how many other famous faces lend the publicity they can generate to causes they do not understand? How many people get misled as a result?
This leads me to wonder - how many other famous faces lend the publicity they can generate to causes they do not understand? How many people get misled as a result?
On cell phones and troops...
Strategypage discusses the evolution of cell phones vs. military radios.
This is one place where COTS could really cut down on expenses. My latest cell phone has a camera, plenty of storage with a mini-SD card, and would be almost perfect for virtually any mission. It even fits into a shirt pocket. The traditional radioman (like Luz in Band of Brothers) may be obsolete. now a days, the CO may have his cell phone and a Bluetooth headset.
This is one place where COTS could really cut down on expenses. My latest cell phone has a camera, plenty of storage with a mini-SD card, and would be almost perfect for virtually any mission. It even fits into a shirt pocket. The traditional radioman (like Luz in Band of Brothers) may be obsolete. now a days, the CO may have his cell phone and a Bluetooth headset.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Bush signs border fence bill...
President Bush signed a border fence bill yesterday. It's disappointing for me - largely for the same rationale that Big Lizards has laid out for opposing a border-fence-only bill. The President still wants to get reforms, but he is running out of time.
Because what will happen in 2007 is that the President will push for other critical components:
But then, Tom Tancredo, Michelle Malkin, and others will immediately begin to claim that what he wants is an amnesty - never mind what the President has actually proposed, or the penalties that would have to be paid. They will falsely claim there is no middle ground, they will insist upon the "rule of law" (albeit on a selective basis as opposed to general principle). And they will probably succeed again - after having done so in the past.
If it weren't for how bad the Democrats are, I'd want to stay home.
Because what will happen in 2007 is that the President will push for other critical components:
We must reduce pressure on our border by creating a temporary worker plan. Willing workers ought to be matched with willing employers to do jobs Americans are not doing for a temporary -- on a temporary basis.
We must face the reality that millions of illegal immigrants are already here. They should not be given an automatic path to citizenship; that is amnesty. I oppose amnesty. There is a rational middle ground between granting an automatic pass to citizenship for every illegal immigrant and a program of mass deportation.
But then, Tom Tancredo, Michelle Malkin, and others will immediately begin to claim that what he wants is an amnesty - never mind what the President has actually proposed, or the penalties that would have to be paid. They will falsely claim there is no middle ground, they will insist upon the "rule of law" (albeit on a selective basis as opposed to general principle). And they will probably succeed again - after having done so in the past.
If it weren't for how bad the Democrats are, I'd want to stay home.
Another McCain supporter Mormon-baits...
First it was Cyndi Mosteller confronting Romney over his religion. This time, it is Patrick Hynes of Ankle-Biting Pundits. Hedgehog Central discusses this latest round of Mormon-baiting by McCain supporters, and the disingenuous efforts to claim there is no Mormon-baiting.
OK, let me get this straight, you are defending a guy's by linking to sites that demean that religion. With a defense like that, a person would not need to be attacked.
Does John McCain approve of this? If he doesn't will he act to clean up the acts of his supporters? Because this is not going to go over well with a lot of folks.
OK, let me get this straight, you are defending a guy's by linking to sites that demean that religion. With a defense like that, a person would not need to be attacked.
Does John McCain approve of this? If he doesn't will he act to clean up the acts of his supporters? Because this is not going to go over well with a lot of folks.
Dixie Chicks shunned by networks...
Key parts from the Drudge Report:
Harvey, Harvey, Harvey...
The First Amendment only applies to government, not NBC or the CW network. If they do not want to run the ads, that is their decision.
But I guess free speech only goes your way.
Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Company stated, “It’s a sad commentary about the level of fear in our society that a movie about a group of courageous entertainers who were blacklisted for exercising their right of free speech is now itself being blacklisted by corporate America. The idea that anyone should be penalized for criticizing the president is sad and profoundly un-American.”
The Weinstein Company is exploring taking legal action.
Harvey, Harvey, Harvey...
The First Amendment only applies to government, not NBC or the CW network. If they do not want to run the ads, that is their decision.
But I guess free speech only goes your way.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
I'm grateful...
I am very relieved that Al Gore can only provoke laughs at those who raise questions about the hysteria over global warming, rather than putting them on trial.
The Imperial Judiciary Strikes Again...
This time it is New Jersey that is under the heel of activist judges.
Never mind the fact that the elected representatives of the people had already decided what marriage means - four justices of the New Jersey supreme court decided they knew better and gave the legislature six months to come up with a law that is acceptable to them.
The people? They'll have no say in it at all. How do they vote out the New Jersey Supreme Court?
Never mind the fact that the elected representatives of the people had already decided what marriage means - four justices of the New Jersey supreme court decided they knew better and gave the legislature six months to come up with a law that is acceptable to them.
The people? They'll have no say in it at all. How do they vote out the New Jersey Supreme Court?
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Youtube and the election...
Eve Fairbanks writes on Youtube and the election on TNR.com.
I have to disagree with her on "the Stakes". The "Daisy" ad and "the Stakes" have somewhat different audiences. "Daisy" was aimed at the general public in 1964. "The Stakes" is aimed at two smaller portions of the general public - undecided voters, and the petulant crybaby conservatives who have thought about sitting 2006 out over immigration/Foleygate/spending/etc.
I have to disagree with her on "the Stakes". The "Daisy" ad and "the Stakes" have somewhat different audiences. "Daisy" was aimed at the general public in 1964. "The Stakes" is aimed at two smaller portions of the general public - undecided voters, and the petulant crybaby conservatives who have thought about sitting 2006 out over immigration/Foleygate/spending/etc.
Dean's rise...
The Weekly Standard discusses the rise of Howard Dean. It's an interesting portrait of a man who has been a gift for the GOP.
Lunch with Rummy...
Austin Bay discusses his press lunch with SECDEF in his column.
Wish I could get a shot at one of those.
Wish I could get a shot at one of those.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Can't feel too bad for the Texans...
They passed on Reggie Bush to draft Mario Williams, who has 2.5 sacks and one fumble recovery on the year (6 games).
In the fifth round of the NFL draft, the Bears drafted Mark Anderson, a player from Alabama. Anderson has 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in six games.
They could have had Reggie Bush and a good defenseive end. Instead, they paid a lot for Mario Williams, and Reggie Bush is on another NFL roster.
Houston is currently 2-4 and on a pace to lose more than they win. Again.
Memo to Houston Texans: Make bad draft-day decisions, and you have a bad football team.
In the fifth round of the NFL draft, the Bears drafted Mark Anderson, a player from Alabama. Anderson has 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in six games.
They could have had Reggie Bush and a good defenseive end. Instead, they paid a lot for Mario Williams, and Reggie Bush is on another NFL roster.
Houston is currently 2-4 and on a pace to lose more than they win. Again.
Memo to Houston Texans: Make bad draft-day decisions, and you have a bad football team.
Sudan boots a blogger...
Sudan has booted a blogger. Austin Bay links to Strategypage's report.
This is a sign of just how bad things are. Sudan's commiting genocide - and the UN can only send a blogger?
Send a lot of second-hand guns (AK-47s, SKS carbines, M16s) to Darfur. Teach people to use them - get 40 guys from Blackwater, DynCorp, or Vinnell to do that, and a couple of C-130s to handle the airlift needs - and train additional instructors, to help Darfur defend itself. As Strategypage reports, the NRF is already able to inflict defeats on the Sudanese Army. That is a good base of support.
And to deal with the Sudanese Air Force's bombing raids, well, we handled that before in a place called Afghanistan. The Stingers helped drive the Soviet Union out of that country.
This is a sign of just how bad things are. Sudan's commiting genocide - and the UN can only send a blogger?
Send a lot of second-hand guns (AK-47s, SKS carbines, M16s) to Darfur. Teach people to use them - get 40 guys from Blackwater, DynCorp, or Vinnell to do that, and a couple of C-130s to handle the airlift needs - and train additional instructors, to help Darfur defend itself. As Strategypage reports, the NRF is already able to inflict defeats on the Sudanese Army. That is a good base of support.
And to deal with the Sudanese Air Force's bombing raids, well, we handled that before in a place called Afghanistan. The Stingers helped drive the Soviet Union out of that country.
Blacklisting a hawk...
Seeing that purges don't work, it looks like left-wing anti-war Democrats are now trying blacklisting.
Congresswoman Harman's likely replacement? Alcee Hastings, who was impeached for corruption and perjury.
Congresswoman Harman's likely replacement? Alcee Hastings, who was impeached for corruption and perjury.
Think this over when you vote...
Check this comment by Dick Morris out... via the Worldwide Standard blog.
Put bad cops away...
Thoughts on the sentences handed down to two former Border Patrol agents:
These guys had to hang - and they had to be hung high. We cannot tolerate cops who try to cover up what is obviously a bad shoot. The bad shoot is bad enough - but the cover-up is unforgiveable.
When they tried to cover up - it was an admission that they never should have fired their guns in the first place. It was an unjustified use of force - and it was as bad as can be imagined. This never was about appeasing Mexico. It was about making sure that those badges don't become hunting licenses.
The misuse of force by police - particularly lethal force (and that is what you are using when you fire a gun) - is something that can never be tolerated in a free society. Because once cops start thinking they can do that, we lose trust. And when people don't trust the cops, there are very big problems coming down the pike.
Yes, the present situation on the southern border is unacceptable. Yes, there are dangers out there. But if we tolerate bad cops of one variety, what other varieties of bad cops will we get? The ones who accept bribes to look the other way when stuff is smuggled in, perhaps? Or maybe they'll decide who did it and then plant the evidence to "help" the case along. How does that sound?
To tell you the truth, I feel pretty sick just thinking about it.
EDIT: I will note that in the past, when it ws the IRS of BATF that was the subject of accusations involving abuses of people, conservatives were all over this. Is there a reason that the Border Patrol should be held to a lower standard?
These guys had to hang - and they had to be hung high. We cannot tolerate cops who try to cover up what is obviously a bad shoot. The bad shoot is bad enough - but the cover-up is unforgiveable.
When they tried to cover up - it was an admission that they never should have fired their guns in the first place. It was an unjustified use of force - and it was as bad as can be imagined. This never was about appeasing Mexico. It was about making sure that those badges don't become hunting licenses.
The misuse of force by police - particularly lethal force (and that is what you are using when you fire a gun) - is something that can never be tolerated in a free society. Because once cops start thinking they can do that, we lose trust. And when people don't trust the cops, there are very big problems coming down the pike.
Yes, the present situation on the southern border is unacceptable. Yes, there are dangers out there. But if we tolerate bad cops of one variety, what other varieties of bad cops will we get? The ones who accept bribes to look the other way when stuff is smuggled in, perhaps? Or maybe they'll decide who did it and then plant the evidence to "help" the case along. How does that sound?
To tell you the truth, I feel pretty sick just thinking about it.
EDIT: I will note that in the past, when it ws the IRS of BATF that was the subject of accusations involving abuses of people, conservatives were all over this. Is there a reason that the Border Patrol should be held to a lower standard?
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Navarette on the Dobbs special...
Lou Dobbs wants to talk about the war on the middle class.
Ruben Navarette's response is worth reading. Sadly, the responses by the commentors are just the typical knee-jerk reactions one sees on immigration.
These conservatives have, quite frankly, decided that personal responsibility has variable applicability. You make bad choices, you need to deal with the consequences.
But Lou Dobbs is trying to abrogate that - instead, it's the fault of those Mexicans stealing our jobs. To the extent conservatives go along with that - it speaks poorly for them.
Ruben Navarette's response is worth reading. Sadly, the responses by the commentors are just the typical knee-jerk reactions one sees on immigration.
These conservatives have, quite frankly, decided that personal responsibility has variable applicability. You make bad choices, you need to deal with the consequences.
But Lou Dobbs is trying to abrogate that - instead, it's the fault of those Mexicans stealing our jobs. To the extent conservatives go along with that - it speaks poorly for them.
Friday, October 20, 2006
On the sniping reports...
Even if the GOP wins, it will face infighting. For once, the New York Times is correct.
Let's just get used to it. There are going to be some serious arguments in the future. But at least the GOP is willing to have an internal debate and doesn't purge its members over disagreements, unlike the Democrats.
Let's just get used to it. There are going to be some serious arguments in the future. But at least the GOP is willing to have an internal debate and doesn't purge its members over disagreements, unlike the Democrats.
Staffer Suspended...
It seems that one leak has been traced, and the leaker has been suspended.
Surprise, surprise. The leaker was a Democrat.
Quite frankly, if other leaks are determined to be due to Congressional staffers or members of congress, anyone who decides to lie to Congress in order to protect classified information is justified.
Surprise, surprise. The leaker was a Democrat.
Quite frankly, if other leaks are determined to be due to Congressional staffers or members of congress, anyone who decides to lie to Congress in order to protect classified information is justified.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
The Stakes
That is the title of a new ad the RNC will be running this weekend.
Since the media is more interested in discussing naughty IM sessions than the primary issue of our generation, it is only fair that the RNC run this ad.
I expect the howling and screaming from the Democrats will be coming soon.
Since the media is more interested in discussing naughty IM sessions than the primary issue of our generation, it is only fair that the RNC run this ad.
I expect the howling and screaming from the Democrats will be coming soon.
Surber on conservative ingrates...
I'm giving Don Surber another link. This time, he discusses conservative ingrates.
Quite frankly, reading the article from the Washington Times he linked to, I just have to shake my head. It seems that they want ideological purity over results.
And they will get neither in a Senate controlled by Richard Durbin, Charles Schumer, Harry Reid, Pat Leahy, and Ted Kenendy - or a House controlled by Henry Waxman, Charlie Rangel, Nancy Pelosi, and John Murtha.
Quite frankly, reading the article from the Washington Times he linked to, I just have to shake my head. It seems that they want ideological purity over results.
And they will get neither in a Senate controlled by Richard Durbin, Charles Schumer, Harry Reid, Pat Leahy, and Ted Kenendy - or a House controlled by Henry Waxman, Charlie Rangel, Nancy Pelosi, and John Murtha.
Iraq and Vietnam...
Don Surber discusses the Bush interview with Bill O'Reilly.
One quote worth emphasizing:
One quote worth emphasizing:
America cut and ran in Vietnam. It still pays the price for that. Evil-doers still look upon this nation as cowards.This is why Charlie Rangel and Nancy Pelosi should not be in power come November 8, 2006.
Ahmadinejad talks big...
He's now claiming that Israel cannot survive.
I'm willing to bet that Israel will be around long after Ahmadinejad is dead.
I'm willing to bet that Israel will be around long after Ahmadinejad is dead.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
"Blade" indicted.
Wesley Snipes is now facing something worse than vampires. The IRS.
The scary thing is that crosses and holy water don't work against the IRS.
The scary thing is that crosses and holy water don't work against the IRS.
FCC complaint process draws fire.
Sumner Redstone is upset with the FCC's "indecency" crackdown. And he has good reason to be.
How are these complaints generated? Well, the PTC and AFA have links to the FCC. Someone can send it in from there - and the complaint is filed. There is no proof that the person who filed the complaint even saw the offending TV series. For all we know, they're just complaining based on what the PTC and AFA has said about the shows.
TVs these days come with these things called remotes. Parents have a responsibility to learn how to use them and to keep control of them - and not let the TV stand in as a babysitter.
Haven't people heard of personal responsibility?
FCC data show that the lion's share of indecency complaints lodged at the agency are generated by two groups: the Parents Television Council and the American Family Assn.
How are these complaints generated? Well, the PTC and AFA have links to the FCC. Someone can send it in from there - and the complaint is filed. There is no proof that the person who filed the complaint even saw the offending TV series. For all we know, they're just complaining based on what the PTC and AFA has said about the shows.
TVs these days come with these things called remotes. Parents have a responsibility to learn how to use them and to keep control of them - and not let the TV stand in as a babysitter.
Haven't people heard of personal responsibility?
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
28 months for Lynne Stewart...
Here is the report.
Unlike some, who wanted the max, I'm not as disappointed. She's 67 and has cancer. She'll probably get a book tour when all is said and done, but she probably won't be able to represent any more terrorists (felony convictions usually result in disbarment).
It looks like the mission has been accomplished.
Unlike some, who wanted the max, I'm not as disappointed. She's 67 and has cancer. She'll probably get a book tour when all is said and done, but she probably won't be able to represent any more terrorists (felony convictions usually result in disbarment).
It looks like the mission has been accomplished.
From the EU...
It seems the European Union wants to regulate video bloggers.
I guess some people don't like it when YouTube blows the whistle on things like staged photographs...
I guess some people don't like it when YouTube blows the whistle on things like staged photographs...
Monday, October 16, 2006
Why taking the fight to terrorists works...
Read today's Strategypage article on Lebanon for perhaps the best explanation of why an aggressive, forward-leaning strategy works - as opposed to a "stability" approach favored by others.
Yes, the Israelis made some huge errors. Yeah, they failed to get any of the hostages Hezbollah took back right away.
But aside from some good reviews in the mainstream media, what did Hezbollah get? Well, they fired a lot of rockets for very little effect. They also lost a lot of infrastructure, as many as 700 of its personnel, and a lot of good will among other factions in Lebanon.
Even an attack filled with mistakes and problems is far better than doing nothing. This is why going into Iraq and Afghanistan was a good move. Because even when we err, we do a lot more damage to them than they do to us.
Yes, the Israelis made some huge errors. Yeah, they failed to get any of the hostages Hezbollah took back right away.
But aside from some good reviews in the mainstream media, what did Hezbollah get? Well, they fired a lot of rockets for very little effect. They also lost a lot of infrastructure, as many as 700 of its personnel, and a lot of good will among other factions in Lebanon.
Even an attack filled with mistakes and problems is far better than doing nothing. This is why going into Iraq and Afghanistan was a good move. Because even when we err, we do a lot more damage to them than they do to us.
A flare-up?
Eve Fairbanks has a theory about the whole Foley situation.
I think there is some truth to her comparison to a psoriaisis outbreak. There has been growing tension among the social conservatives and the small government wing of the GOP. Quite frankly, I have been less than thrilled about some things lately. With the war on terror going on, and the need to re-capitalize our force of cargo planes, aerial refuelling tankers, maritime patrol aircraft, and air-superiority fighters, you would think that Congress would be dealing with that. Instead, our officials were debating bills about the slaughter of horses for meat and internet gambling.
Furthermore, I have seen cases where some conservatives have begun acting as if they were a Soviet-era zampolit as opposed to trying to deal with some very thorny problems. One of the worst offenders has been Tom Tancredo on immigration (but there have been others on different issues - look at how some have treated Mitt Romney's health-care plan). If a solution does not comport with what they deem conservative thinking, the vitriol and venom spew out - and facts are often ignored.
The resentments build... and build... and soon things explode.
I think there is some truth to her comparison to a psoriaisis outbreak. There has been growing tension among the social conservatives and the small government wing of the GOP. Quite frankly, I have been less than thrilled about some things lately. With the war on terror going on, and the need to re-capitalize our force of cargo planes, aerial refuelling tankers, maritime patrol aircraft, and air-superiority fighters, you would think that Congress would be dealing with that. Instead, our officials were debating bills about the slaughter of horses for meat and internet gambling.
Furthermore, I have seen cases where some conservatives have begun acting as if they were a Soviet-era zampolit as opposed to trying to deal with some very thorny problems. One of the worst offenders has been Tom Tancredo on immigration (but there have been others on different issues - look at how some have treated Mitt Romney's health-care plan). If a solution does not comport with what they deem conservative thinking, the vitriol and venom spew out - and facts are often ignored.
The resentments build... and build... and soon things explode.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Daniel Pearl's killer identified...
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Just remember, this is one of the slimeballs who Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other groups who have filed suit against the DOD have been sticking up for.
Give him a trial, then give him the death penalty that he so richly deserves.
Give him a trial, then give him the death penalty that he so richly deserves.
Have the porkbusters gone too far?
Bob Novak's latest column displays a clear sign that the porkbusters are going way too far.
Apaprently, the final version of the defense appropriations bill contains earmarks for 10 more C-17s for FY2007 and up to 60 F-22s over the next three years.
These earmarks have John McCain, John Warner, and Tom Coburn throwing hissy fits.
Well, in this case, they are wrong - and their efforts are, quite frankly, one reason why I was against this anti-pork crusade. It had the potential to go too far, and in denying new cargo planes and fighters to the Air Force, it is placing national security at risk - especially if the C-17 production line closes.
The C-17 replaced the old C-141 cargo plane. However, we also have 77 C-5s built from 1968-1973 that are getting up there in years. Those might need to be replaced, much the way the C-130E is in need of replacement (and earmarks for new C-130Js got called pork, too). Another pressing priority is replacing 157 KC-135Es (and hopefully, all of the KC-135s, which were first purchased in 1954, with the last being bought in 1965).
The F-15 is also old - having been in service for three decades. Yes, it is still a good plane, but it is outclassed by the Eurofighter and Rafale, and the Su-27 family is very close. The F-22, on the other hand, assures dominance of the air for years to come. Our fighter pilots will have a better chance with the Raptor, and it needs to be bought - preferably in number to allow it to replace the F-15 on a one-for-one basis. It is already proving its ability to take on multiple opponents and win.
The porkbusters are being penny-wise, but extremely foolish. Shutting down a production line can be a very permanent thing. The workers will retire, or move on to other work. The equipment will be re-used, possibly even destroyed (as was the case with the MD-11 tooling). Senators McCain, Warner, and Coburn need to back off on this fight for the good of the country.
There is pork in the federal budget, but the C-17 and F-22 are not oinkers. If anything, I wish whoever inserted those provisions had earmarked funds for building more of them.
Apaprently, the final version of the defense appropriations bill contains earmarks for 10 more C-17s for FY2007 and up to 60 F-22s over the next three years.
These earmarks have John McCain, John Warner, and Tom Coburn throwing hissy fits.
Well, in this case, they are wrong - and their efforts are, quite frankly, one reason why I was against this anti-pork crusade. It had the potential to go too far, and in denying new cargo planes and fighters to the Air Force, it is placing national security at risk - especially if the C-17 production line closes.
The C-17 replaced the old C-141 cargo plane. However, we also have 77 C-5s built from 1968-1973 that are getting up there in years. Those might need to be replaced, much the way the C-130E is in need of replacement (and earmarks for new C-130Js got called pork, too). Another pressing priority is replacing 157 KC-135Es (and hopefully, all of the KC-135s, which were first purchased in 1954, with the last being bought in 1965).
The F-15 is also old - having been in service for three decades. Yes, it is still a good plane, but it is outclassed by the Eurofighter and Rafale, and the Su-27 family is very close. The F-22, on the other hand, assures dominance of the air for years to come. Our fighter pilots will have a better chance with the Raptor, and it needs to be bought - preferably in number to allow it to replace the F-15 on a one-for-one basis. It is already proving its ability to take on multiple opponents and win.
The porkbusters are being penny-wise, but extremely foolish. Shutting down a production line can be a very permanent thing. The workers will retire, or move on to other work. The equipment will be re-used, possibly even destroyed (as was the case with the MD-11 tooling). Senators McCain, Warner, and Coburn need to back off on this fight for the good of the country.
There is pork in the federal budget, but the C-17 and F-22 are not oinkers. If anything, I wish whoever inserted those provisions had earmarked funds for building more of them.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Why the Greens scare me...
It seems that anti-immigration conservatives are not the only ones who think disagreement is tantamount to treason. Now, we have environmentalists discussing the notion of Nuremberg-style trials for those who disagree on global warming.
Bjorn Lomborg, Michael Crichton, and Senator James Inhofe would be among those standing in the dock - because they wanted to pursue science rather than allow themselves to be stampeded by dire predictions. Those who ask questions are to be placed on trial for crimes against Earth - or something like that.
So much for scientific debate and free speech.
Bjorn Lomborg, Michael Crichton, and Senator James Inhofe would be among those standing in the dock - because they wanted to pursue science rather than allow themselves to be stampeded by dire predictions. Those who ask questions are to be placed on trial for crimes against Earth - or something like that.
So much for scientific debate and free speech.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
What part of "rule of law" does Tom Tancredo not understand?
It seems that Tom Tancredo and 28 other Congressmen have signed a letter asking Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice to not extradite Duane "Dog" Chapman to face charges of conspiracy and illegal detention in Mexico.
I say extradite him. We signed the treaty, and treaties are part of the law of the land. It's about the rule of law, Congressman, the very same reason you claim to be opposing the President's approach to immigration - you claim his approach rewards people who have broken the law.
I say extradite him. We signed the treaty, and treaties are part of the law of the land. It's about the rule of law, Congressman, the very same reason you claim to be opposing the President's approach to immigration - you claim his approach rewards people who have broken the law.
Well, Duane Chapman entered Mexico, where bounty hunting is illegal. He and two of his employees detained a person, and took him to the USA. He broke the law.
So, shouldn't he be extradited to face justice, like any other lawbreaker? Or are you only interested in the rule of law for some and not for others?
If it's the latter, then there's a word to describe Tom Tancredo: Hypocrite.
F*** Me, This Ain't so Funny Anymore
H/T to Captain's Quarter's for this one:
We now have a threat to use nuclear weapons on the table from the Dear Leader's regime.
It's time to get Looking Glass back on continuous airborne alert, just like the Bad Old Days. It's also time to turn Pyongyang into a large smoking hole, screw what China has to say about it.
No, I am not eagerly looking forward to doing that. This would the geopolitical equivalent of putting down a rabid dog. Nobody in their right mind likes the prospect of doing so; nobody in their right mind would refrain from doing so if one was loose in their community.
A North Korean official threatened that communist nation could fire a nuclear-tipped missile unless the U.S. acts to resolve its standoff with Pyongyang, Yonhap news agency reported Tuesday.
"We hope the situation will be resolved before an unfortunate incident of us firing a nuclear missile comes," the unnamed official said on Monday, according to a Yonhap report from Beijing. "That depends on how the U.S. will act."
We now have a threat to use nuclear weapons on the table from the Dear Leader's regime.
It's time to get Looking Glass back on continuous airborne alert, just like the Bad Old Days. It's also time to turn Pyongyang into a large smoking hole, screw what China has to say about it.
No, I am not eagerly looking forward to doing that. This would the geopolitical equivalent of putting down a rabid dog. Nobody in their right mind likes the prospect of doing so; nobody in their right mind would refrain from doing so if one was loose in their community.
One thought on Foleygate's effects in 2008...
Republican "outsiders" will have an edge. That is going to hurt John McCain (who has been in the Senate since 1986, and was a member of the House for a while longer), and it gives Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney an edge. This also makes Governor Mike Huckabee a somewhat viable option as well.
McCain has too many fights with the base to really make it to the nomination... campaign finance reform, detainees, tax cuts, and immigration (that one he was right on) are all areas where he's butted heads with conservatives on a very public basis. Unless Romney, Giuliani, and other candidates split the "not-McCain" vote enough, McCain's an also-ran.
McCain has too many fights with the base to really make it to the nomination... campaign finance reform, detainees, tax cuts, and immigration (that one he was right on) are all areas where he's butted heads with conservatives on a very public basis. Unless Romney, Giuliani, and other candidates split the "not-McCain" vote enough, McCain's an also-ran.
A history lesson...
Kosher Hedgehog reminds us of how we got to the present situation with North Korea.
Remember who came up with the deal that gave the North Koreans all that oil and two nuclear reactors? Yep, Jimmy Carter. Remember whose watch it was on? Bill Clinton's.
Remember who came up with the deal that gave the North Koreans all that oil and two nuclear reactors? Yep, Jimmy Carter. Remember whose watch it was on? Bill Clinton's.
More Foleygate...
Hey, I know, Foleygate is depressing. It's icky. But we need to talk about it. Why?
Because as this report from Harper's indicates, the Democrats seem to have had these e-mails months earlier and had been shopping the story.
Because as this report from Harper's indicates, the Democrats seem to have had these e-mails months earlier and had been shopping the story.
In May, a source put me in touch with a Democratic operative who provided me with the now-infamous emails that Foley had sent in 2004 to a sixteen-year-old page. He also provided several emails that the page sent to the office of Congressman Rodney Alexander, a Louisiana Republican who had sponsored him when he worked on Capitol Hill. “Maybe it is just me being paranoid, but seriously, This freaked me out,” the page wrote in one email. In the fall of 2005, my source had provided the same material to the St. Petersburg Times—and I presume to The Miami Herald—both which decided against publishing stories.
Folks, this is the real damning evidence. The Democrats were holding on to this story for months - and shopping it around. They never took these e-mails to the FBI. CREW provided them - in July, and even then, only redacted versions. When the FBI asked for the original copies, CREW did not provide them. Some concern for the safety of pages. /sarcasm
For fun, take a look at the Wikipedia entry on misprision of felony. Then keep an eye on Strata-Sphere and MacsMind for more in-depth coverage.
I'd rather not talk about this. Bianca's return to Pine Valley would be more interesting. So are the baseball playoffs (the Yankees lost again, and Steinbrenner will go on a shopping spree). Or the NFL (Bears are 5-0). But we have to.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Regional fallout from the NK nuclear test: Time to Worry (UPDATED)
"Shall we play a game?"
In the wake of the North Korean nuclear test, there are some worrisome aspects that will come into play.
First, testing is not a friendly act in the post-Cold War era. It's one thing to walk into a bar with a concealed weapon. It's another thing to haul it out, fire a shot into the ceiling to verify that it's loaded, and yell, "WHO WANTS A PIECE OF THIS?" Li'l Kim has just done that, and now everyone is discreetly reaching for their hardware. (UPDATE: Apparently, Li'l Kim's pistol may have had a blank chambered. H/T to my partner in crime for finding this.)
Second, there is the question of "who's next?" Japan is a shake-and-bake nuclear power--one estimate I've read puts Japan having a credible nuclear deterrent within six months of the Japanese government giving the go-ahead. They have a breeder reactor that manufactures large amounts of plutonium (Reactor-bred "Ploot" is, by definition, bomb-grade), and they have a first-rate technical infrastructure; the rest is merely a matter of money, man-hours, and political will.
South Korea and Taiwan are not in that league--they do not have breeder reactors--but they have good technicians, and they can always whip out hard currency for what William Burroughs called "The Yard Sale at the End of History." So they could probably have nukes inside of two years.
Now, the second-order effects:
South Korea and Japan don't like each other overmuch. If one goes nuclear, the other will. If Japan goes nuclear, Taiwan will (assuming that they are not already practicing what I call "CCWMD"), simply because nobody in eastern Asia trusts the Japanese (the 1931-1945 period may seem to be ancient history to an upstart nation like the United States, but to the cultures of the Pacific Rim, it's just last week). The People's Republic of China will be extremely unhappy if Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan go nuclear.
Some sort-of good news: multilateral (as opposed to bilateral) nuclear stability has never been tested in an international crisis, only in RAND political-military games. Some really bad news: in those RAND games, multilateral nuclear stability seems to be a figment of everyone's imagination; it "fails deadly" about 95% of the time as players pursue their victory conditions vis-a-vis Country A without thinking about how Countries B, C, D, and E view their actions. It seems to be a natural human blind spot--because the same players, with their experiences from earlier games to inform and admonish them, did the same damn thing in subsequent games.
Moving from the purely geopolitical to the tactical end of nuclear warfighting ("It's all fun and games until somebody gets their eyes melted out!"):
One thing that Japan, the Koreas, and Taiwan would need is early warning (and, in that theater, it would be not-so-early warning due to the short distances times of flight involved) in order to maintain some minimal level of crisis/prompt launch stability (the old "use 'em or lose 'em" issue from the late Cold War). Early warning systems tend to be incredibly expensive; the best solution may be for these nations to buy access to our own warning net. (Pay-per-view launch detection: the new growth market for the United States Strategic Command.) We spent billions per year during the Cold War just to buy an extra 10-15 minutes of tactical warning time against the USSR. The same amount of money (after indexing for inflation) would give 30 seconds to 2 minutes additional in northeast Asia--which would just about enough time to execute one predetermined nuclear strike option on initial alert.
Because of the short timelines involved, a lot of "early warning" would be strategic (i.e., intelligence of possible intent to attack) as opposed to tactical (detection of missile launches). Strategic warning is ambiguous at best. With relatively small forces on all sides, generation stability (the sensitivity of force survivability to whether the force is on day-to-day alert or generated alert) assumes critical importance.
On the one hand, generated forces may be more survivable (additional mobile missiles on the move or in hide sites away from the main garrisons, additional command and control assets deployed, et cetera). On the other hand, generating forces to increase their survivability may convince the other side that you intend to launch a first strike.
One potential response to this concern is to design a missile force whose day-to-day posture is more or less indistinguishable from its generated posture. This, however, will tend to make even minor crises into nuclear ones, as there would be no way to know if the other side's nuclear forces are cocked and locked or not.
So, if America does nothing:
At some point in the not-too-distant future, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, North Korea, and China will be in a multidirectional Mexican stand-off, most likely with relatively accurate nuclear-armed ballistic missiles. All sides would be able to deliver a signifcant strike from a day-to-day alert posture and would have next to no tactical warning available. The only thing missing would be the spark.
How does one say "Able Archer" in Japanese, Hangul, or Mandarin?
Inaction is failure; failure is not an option. We must lead.
In the wake of the North Korean nuclear test, there are some worrisome aspects that will come into play.
First, testing is not a friendly act in the post-Cold War era. It's one thing to walk into a bar with a concealed weapon. It's another thing to haul it out, fire a shot into the ceiling to verify that it's loaded, and yell, "WHO WANTS A PIECE OF THIS?" Li'l Kim has just done that, and now everyone is discreetly reaching for their hardware. (UPDATE: Apparently, Li'l Kim's pistol may have had a blank chambered. H/T to my partner in crime for finding this.)
Second, there is the question of "who's next?" Japan is a shake-and-bake nuclear power--one estimate I've read puts Japan having a credible nuclear deterrent within six months of the Japanese government giving the go-ahead. They have a breeder reactor that manufactures large amounts of plutonium (Reactor-bred "Ploot" is, by definition, bomb-grade), and they have a first-rate technical infrastructure; the rest is merely a matter of money, man-hours, and political will.
South Korea and Taiwan are not in that league--they do not have breeder reactors--but they have good technicians, and they can always whip out hard currency for what William Burroughs called "The Yard Sale at the End of History." So they could probably have nukes inside of two years.
Now, the second-order effects:
South Korea and Japan don't like each other overmuch. If one goes nuclear, the other will. If Japan goes nuclear, Taiwan will (assuming that they are not already practicing what I call "CCWMD"), simply because nobody in eastern Asia trusts the Japanese (the 1931-1945 period may seem to be ancient history to an upstart nation like the United States, but to the cultures of the Pacific Rim, it's just last week). The People's Republic of China will be extremely unhappy if Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan go nuclear.
Some sort-of good news: multilateral (as opposed to bilateral) nuclear stability has never been tested in an international crisis, only in RAND political-military games. Some really bad news: in those RAND games, multilateral nuclear stability seems to be a figment of everyone's imagination; it "fails deadly" about 95% of the time as players pursue their victory conditions vis-a-vis Country A without thinking about how Countries B, C, D, and E view their actions. It seems to be a natural human blind spot--because the same players, with their experiences from earlier games to inform and admonish them, did the same damn thing in subsequent games.
Moving from the purely geopolitical to the tactical end of nuclear warfighting ("It's all fun and games until somebody gets their eyes melted out!"):
One thing that Japan, the Koreas, and Taiwan would need is early warning (and, in that theater, it would be not-so-early warning due to the short distances times of flight involved) in order to maintain some minimal level of crisis/prompt launch stability (the old "use 'em or lose 'em" issue from the late Cold War). Early warning systems tend to be incredibly expensive; the best solution may be for these nations to buy access to our own warning net. (Pay-per-view launch detection: the new growth market for the United States Strategic Command.) We spent billions per year during the Cold War just to buy an extra 10-15 minutes of tactical warning time against the USSR. The same amount of money (after indexing for inflation) would give 30 seconds to 2 minutes additional in northeast Asia--which would just about enough time to execute one predetermined nuclear strike option on initial alert.
Because of the short timelines involved, a lot of "early warning" would be strategic (i.e., intelligence of possible intent to attack) as opposed to tactical (detection of missile launches). Strategic warning is ambiguous at best. With relatively small forces on all sides, generation stability (the sensitivity of force survivability to whether the force is on day-to-day alert or generated alert) assumes critical importance.
On the one hand, generated forces may be more survivable (additional mobile missiles on the move or in hide sites away from the main garrisons, additional command and control assets deployed, et cetera). On the other hand, generating forces to increase their survivability may convince the other side that you intend to launch a first strike.
One potential response to this concern is to design a missile force whose day-to-day posture is more or less indistinguishable from its generated posture. This, however, will tend to make even minor crises into nuclear ones, as there would be no way to know if the other side's nuclear forces are cocked and locked or not.
So, if America does nothing:
At some point in the not-too-distant future, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, North Korea, and China will be in a multidirectional Mexican stand-off, most likely with relatively accurate nuclear-armed ballistic missiles. All sides would be able to deliver a signifcant strike from a day-to-day alert posture and would have next to no tactical warning available. The only thing missing would be the spark.
How does one say "Able Archer" in Japanese, Hangul, or Mandarin?
Inaction is failure; failure is not an option. We must lead.
Foleygate and crybaby conservatives
MacsMind has two updates on Foleygate, both on a smoking gun and on what it has allowed the media to ignore.
But the important post for today comes from Strata-Sphere.
Money quote:
I do hope certain conservatives who have been throwing temper tantrums over a possible Bush pocket veto of the border fence (which I would support due to reasons Big Lizards has enunciated) keep that in mind. If they want to be petulant crybabies, they had better think through the consequences.
But the important post for today comes from Strata-Sphere.
Money quote:
Personally, any conservative who fails to push through election day is one we can affort to go without.
I do hope certain conservatives who have been throwing temper tantrums over a possible Bush pocket veto of the border fence (which I would support due to reasons Big Lizards has enunciated) keep that in mind. If they want to be petulant crybabies, they had better think through the consequences.
A dud?
Bill Gertz reports on the initial take of the intelligence community. If so, it might not warrant severe measures, but at the same time, it is clear they tested something.
The good news is that the Administration wants a blockade. They need to stick to their guns on this one.
The good news is that the Administration wants a blockade. They need to stick to their guns on this one.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Foleygate updates...
Macsmind has updates on both aspects of Foleygate. More pages are coming forward, as well as the "gaymail" ring that seems to be in place.
Strata-Sphere has more.
The real big deal is the "gaymail" ring. What we have here are people who are snooping into the private lives of Republican staffers - and threatening to air their private lives out in public because they do not back a certain agenda.
Here's the scary part folks - staffers often provide the information - and make recommendations - to a Senator or Congressman. This is something very serious. If it can be done on one issue, why not others? And who says it will just be limited to activists? What would keep other Senators or Congressman from doing such a thing? Or even a President?
Strata-Sphere has more.
The real big deal is the "gaymail" ring. What we have here are people who are snooping into the private lives of Republican staffers - and threatening to air their private lives out in public because they do not back a certain agenda.
Here's the scary part folks - staffers often provide the information - and make recommendations - to a Senator or Congressman. This is something very serious. If it can be done on one issue, why not others? And who says it will just be limited to activists? What would keep other Senators or Congressman from doing such a thing? Or even a President?
NK nuclear test...
The North Korean nuclear test draws commentary from Macsmind. I think the time for talking is over. It's time to impose a full-on blockade. Nothing in, nothing out.
And if they even think of another missile test, send a B-2 to drop a few JDAMs on the site. Talking will do nothing to stop the North Korean missile program. Decisive action will.
And if they even think of another missile test, send a B-2 to drop a few JDAMs on the site. Talking will do nothing to stop the North Korean missile program. Decisive action will.
Rally against Chavez...
Strata-Sphere reports on the rallies against Chavez.
The thing is, Hugo has a militia that is loyal to him. He ordered as many as 100,000 AK-103 rifles for them. What means of self-defense will be available to his opponents? I fear we could be headed for a Caracas variant on Tiananmen Square.
The thing is, Hugo has a militia that is loyal to him. He ordered as many as 100,000 AK-103 rifles for them. What means of self-defense will be available to his opponents? I fear we could be headed for a Caracas variant on Tiananmen Square.
Friday, October 06, 2006
From prank to book deal?
Macsmind's latest on the Foley situation does not reflect well on Jordan Edmunds. At this point, we certainly cannot trust much of what Brian Ross says now.
Speaking of which, on these latest IMs, why were they kept for 4-8 years? Why didn't those former pages use the "block" feature on their instant messenger?
I'd like to know...
Speaking of which, on these latest IMs, why were they kept for 4-8 years? Why didn't those former pages use the "block" feature on their instant messenger?
I'd like to know...
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Why death penalty expansion is a good thing...
Read this article from the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The judge should have given him the 60 years. The law should have allowed for the death penalty. Anyone who breaks into a house and rapes a 9-year-old needs to be dealt with decisively. Ideally, said decisive dealing will involve borrowing the GRU's blast furnace, but lethal injection, the electric chair, the gas chamber, or hanging will do.
The death penalty, in my view, is appropriate for those who rape children or rapists who give thir victims HIV. In the latter case, the victim is dead, it just will take as long as two decades for AIDS to claim their life.
This is not about proportionate punishment. I want deterrence via a sentence that is disproportionate - and which will be capable of decisively dealing with this kind of scum. As one death-penalty opponent said, "Still, if it's deterrence you want, nothing better prevents recidivism than capital punishment. Ted Bundy can't bother co-eds anymore."
The judge should have given him the 60 years. The law should have allowed for the death penalty. Anyone who breaks into a house and rapes a 9-year-old needs to be dealt with decisively. Ideally, said decisive dealing will involve borrowing the GRU's blast furnace, but lethal injection, the electric chair, the gas chamber, or hanging will do.
The death penalty, in my view, is appropriate for those who rape children or rapists who give thir victims HIV. In the latter case, the victim is dead, it just will take as long as two decades for AIDS to claim their life.
This is not about proportionate punishment. I want deterrence via a sentence that is disproportionate - and which will be capable of decisively dealing with this kind of scum. As one death-penalty opponent said, "Still, if it's deterrence you want, nothing better prevents recidivism than capital punishment. Ted Bundy can't bother co-eds anymore."
Foley-gate updates...
For the latest updates, check out Strata-Sphere and MacsMind.
Two paragraphs from MacsMind's latest post on this warrant attention:
This is the real scandal. Not that Mark Foley has not been innocent, but the real scandal is that certain people are trying to dig up information on the private lives of Republican congressman in order to affect their votes on certain issues. This is something that is serious - and needs to be hammered. Petitioning for a redress of grievances is one thing. Blackmail is another.
It's increasingly obvious that the safety of the pages and former pages was of secondary concern to scoring political points via blackmail. This is something that needs to be exposed.
Check Macsmind and Strata-sphere for updates. They are on top of this - and know of others who are as well.
Two paragraphs from MacsMind's latest post on this warrant attention:
Besides Foley two names that have come into play are Rogers and John Aravosis of America’s Blog. Both are gay activists who on many occassions have threatened not only Foley and Fordham with outing, but others as well. These guys are what we call “Political Thugs”, the only thing they don’t use is guns, but they do nearly as much damage. Others call it by it’s real name - blackmail.
Again, the FBI - and I have this on good source - are aware of both individuals and looking into their involvement as well. As I said before we cops aren’t so stupid as to just look at an IM log or an email and say, “Oh look at that?, case closed!”
This is the real scandal. Not that Mark Foley has not been innocent, but the real scandal is that certain people are trying to dig up information on the private lives of Republican congressman in order to affect their votes on certain issues. This is something that is serious - and needs to be hammered. Petitioning for a redress of grievances is one thing. Blackmail is another.
It's increasingly obvious that the safety of the pages and former pages was of secondary concern to scoring political points via blackmail. This is something that needs to be exposed.
Check Macsmind and Strata-sphere for updates. They are on top of this - and know of others who are as well.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Truth detection software?
The founder of Google thinks that "truth detection" software will exist in five years.
He's wrong, it already exists in the form of Google and other search engines. It's the Age of Google, and people who peddle phony stories, like fake memos purporting to show someone was AWOL, won't be able to do so. You also can't hide stories, either, like the discovery of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq (500 shells with sarin and mustard gas). You can also find out the background of a person who makes a scene with a politician.
The truth can be found - and revealed - setting everyone free.
He's wrong, it already exists in the form of Google and other search engines. It's the Age of Google, and people who peddle phony stories, like fake memos purporting to show someone was AWOL, won't be able to do so. You also can't hide stories, either, like the discovery of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq (500 shells with sarin and mustard gas). You can also find out the background of a person who makes a scene with a politician.
The truth can be found - and revealed - setting everyone free.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
A reminder...
Two of the links on my blogroll are must-reads if you want to see some of the facts behind the liberation of Iraq.
RegimeofTerror.com discusses Saddam Hussein's ties to terrorism.
Meanwhile, www.iraqdocs.blogspot.com has translations of recovered documents. One, from September 25, contains significant exculpatory evidence concerning the "no WMD" claims. Six days is a long time if you really want to hide something.
The truth is out there, and the MSM is refusing to give this evidence any exposure.
RegimeofTerror.com discusses Saddam Hussein's ties to terrorism.
Meanwhile, www.iraqdocs.blogspot.com has translations of recovered documents. One, from September 25, contains significant exculpatory evidence concerning the "no WMD" claims. Six days is a long time if you really want to hide something.
The truth is out there, and the MSM is refusing to give this evidence any exposure.
Monday, October 02, 2006
An interview at Article6Blog...
A quick lunchtime post:
Article6Blog interviews Mitch Davis of RunMittRun.org. It's well worth the read - if only to see how widely certain misconceptions are held.
Article6Blog interviews Mitch Davis of RunMittRun.org. It's well worth the read - if only to see how widely certain misconceptions are held.
Selective admiration of self-improvement...
Eve Fairbanks has hit a home run with her latest column in the Examiner discussing the attacks on George Allen.
In a very real sense, she has hit on something. I suspect that part of the heavy fire on Allen and President Bush may be because they did not play the victim, but instead confronted their demons head-on. If they could do it, then perhaps others could do so as well - by accepting responsbility for their lives. And for some in politics, having people feeling like victims is vital. It means that they can push their agenda by blaming the problems the victims have on big business/immigrants/neo-cons/racists/Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld/Wal-Mart. They'd probably find a way to blame Santa and the Easter Bunny if it would help them get votes.
But a self-help/self-improvement story turns all that on its head. It tells people that they might have it rough, but they can get out of it. The victimhood pimps on the left and the right can't have that. If people began to think that they were responsible, the scapegoating of immigrants and big business carried out by Pat Buchanan - as well as the race-baiting of Al Sharpton - would lose a lot of its appeal. Buchanan and Sharpton might actually have to do some real work for once.
Perhaps we need more self-improvement stories from politicians, not fewer.
In a very real sense, she has hit on something. I suspect that part of the heavy fire on Allen and President Bush may be because they did not play the victim, but instead confronted their demons head-on. If they could do it, then perhaps others could do so as well - by accepting responsbility for their lives. And for some in politics, having people feeling like victims is vital. It means that they can push their agenda by blaming the problems the victims have on big business/immigrants/neo-cons/racists/Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld/Wal-Mart. They'd probably find a way to blame Santa and the Easter Bunny if it would help them get votes.
But a self-help/self-improvement story turns all that on its head. It tells people that they might have it rough, but they can get out of it. The victimhood pimps on the left and the right can't have that. If people began to think that they were responsible, the scapegoating of immigrants and big business carried out by Pat Buchanan - as well as the race-baiting of Al Sharpton - would lose a lot of its appeal. Buchanan and Sharpton might actually have to do some real work for once.
Perhaps we need more self-improvement stories from politicians, not fewer.
As if they didn't have more important things to do in Oconee County, Georgia...
It seems that the latest hot-button case in Oconee County, Georgia, involves chasing down a gossip in a MySpace blog. I kid you not.
I guess the cops are looking to avoid budget cuts or something...
I guess the cops are looking to avoid budget cuts or something...
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Getting a bum rap...
It seems that there has been a long-running campaign against Petland pet stores over the use of "puppy mills". The latest in this animal-rights jihad now involves shots at the American Kennel Association.
Now this goes too far. The AKC and Petland, if one believes this, are actually trying to hurt the dogs that are the source of their livelihoods. Never mind how irrational that is on its face, but that is what is being claimed.
If animal cruelty is going on, it needs to be handled decisively. That said, can someone please give me an objective definition of "puppy mill" that doesn't boil down to "I know it when I see it"? We do not need to add some vague law when there are already exisiting laws that can do the job.
Now this goes too far. The AKC and Petland, if one believes this, are actually trying to hurt the dogs that are the source of their livelihoods. Never mind how irrational that is on its face, but that is what is being claimed.
If animal cruelty is going on, it needs to be handled decisively. That said, can someone please give me an objective definition of "puppy mill" that doesn't boil down to "I know it when I see it"? We do not need to add some vague law when there are already exisiting laws that can do the job.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)