Part of the spirit and the culture of the U.S. military is the creed that you don’t leave anyone behind---whether injured, captured, or dead. For example, the U.S. Army Ranger Creed, the oath Army Rangers take, includes these words: “I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy …” Several books and numerous articles have been devoted to this … [Read more...] about Leave No Man Behind—65 Years Later
Send The Peace Corps, Not More Troops, To Afghanistan
I'm not gloating but two New York Times columnists agree with my assessment that U.S. military presence in Afghanistan is untenable although neither go as far as my desire to pull out all our troops. Normally, opinions by New York Times columnists are not those that sway the powers in Washington. But in the case of Afghanistan the White House and Pentagon should be taking … [Read more...] about Send The Peace Corps, Not More Troops, To Afghanistan
“Their Martyrs, Our Heroes”
Matttbastard tweeted the link to an article in Le Monde, by John Feffer, that is sure to raise conservative hackles, but there is a lot of truth to it, in my view. The gist of the piece (it's long) is that there is a fine line between "their" suicide bombers and "our" military heroes -- and that line can get very blurry. Here is the opening: … [Read more...] about “Their Martyrs, Our Heroes”
The Case in Favor of Speech Limits on Corporations
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (08-205), the Supreme Court case that will decide whether the government has the right to restrict corporate political advocacy or whether such regulation is a violation of the First Amendment, is set for re-argument on Wednesday. The case originated in the past term. SCOTUS blog has a full argument preview. In a segment … [Read more...] about The Case in Favor of Speech Limits on Corporations
Obama’s Lesson: Poland Can’t Count on the United States: Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland
If you happen to work for the Obama Administration and you're reading these words, get ready for an earful. According to columnist Marcin Bosacki of Poland's Gazeta Wyborcza, Eastern European and particularly Polish discontent with the White House is high, and the reasons essentially boil down to the following: The decision to ditch the Bush-era anti-missile shield which was … [Read more...] about Obama’s Lesson: Poland Can’t Count on the United States: Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland
Quote of the Day: Republicans and the Obama Administration
Our political Quote of the Day comes from Democratic activist Joe Trippi on CNN's State of the Union with John King: “They’re going to keep gunning,” Democratic strategist Joe Trippi said Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union, referring to conservatives’ recent — and ultimately successful efforts — to target Obama’s green jobs adviser Van Jones over controversial comments he … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Republicans and the Obama Administration
Reflections on a statement by Edward R. Murrow on Senator Joseph McCarthy and an “Age of Unreason”
Regarding Senator Joseph McCarthy: His primary achievement has been in confusing the public mind . . . We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must remember always that accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law. We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason. -Edward R. … [Read more...] about Reflections on a statement by Edward R. Murrow on Senator Joseph McCarthy and an “Age of Unreason”
Meet the Press Showdown: Ford v. Giuliani
Does anyone still believe that the Republicans entered into negotiations on health care with a good faith belief that compromise could be achieved? Rudy Giuliani certainly does. On Meet the Press this morning, Giuliani explained why he believes it was President Obama who never made a good faith effort to bring Republicans on board. This clip shows Giuliani was given his due … [Read more...] about Meet the Press Showdown: Ford v. Giuliani
Betting On Tulips And Houses Is So Passé…How About On Death?
This sort of thinking is exactly what we need to turn things around. After the mortgage business imploded last year, Wall Street investment banks began searching for another big idea to make money. They think they may have found one. The bankers plan to buy “life settlements,” life insurance policies that ill and elderly people sell for cash — $400,000 for a $1 million … [Read more...] about Betting On Tulips And Houses Is So Passé…How About On Death?
Obama Advisor Van Jones Resigns: Poor Vetting By Administration
White House environmental adviser Van Jones has now resigned in the latest installment of the nearly frenzied partisan skirmish between the Obama administration and political foes who are clearly battling it and Barack Obama himself every centimeter of the way. But can this one be blamed on the administration's foes -- or on poor, incredibly amateurish vetting by an … [Read more...] about Obama Advisor Van Jones Resigns: Poor Vetting By Administration
Speaker for the Dead Presidents
Actually, the title for this column should have been, "In Defense of Obama," but I finally rejected that for two primary flaws. First, regular readers here might have had some sort of disastrous coronary event seeing such a title with my byline attached. Second, the defense I offer will seem something less than enthusiastic enough for the Obama faithful. But, if nothing else, I … [Read more...] about Speaker for the Dead Presidents
Anne, Please, Drink A Glass of Warm Milk and Get Some Sleep
Anne Bayefsky of the National Review Online is having trouble breathing, and I think she might be about to pass out. And who can blame her, considering that she is writing about Pres. Obama, who once again is putting us all in mortal danger with his disgracefully irresponsible behavior (emphasis is mine): … [Read more...] about Anne, Please, Drink A Glass of Warm Milk and Get Some Sleep
Why the Difference Between 1991 and 2009?
Some of you may have seen references to a speech Bush 41 gave to schoolchildren in 1991. Jim Lindgren was curious enough to look into the matter further (emphasis in original): … [Read more...] about Why the Difference Between 1991 and 2009?
Utah Republican Gov. Gary Herbert Supports Obama’s Speech To Schoolkids
Yes, here is proof that not all Republicans buy into or are part of the talk radio political culture. The AP reports: Republican Gov. Gary Herbert supports President Barack Obama's plan to deliver a televised back-to-school speech to the nation's students on Tuesday, saying he sees "nothing but good coming out of this." Herbert said he favors letting students listen to … [Read more...] about Utah Republican Gov. Gary Herbert Supports Obama’s Speech To Schoolkids
Memorize This, Fool
I have a story to tell that relates to the brewing controversy over President Obama's speech to the nation's school children next Tuesday. It was during the war years of 1943-45. Our grade school teachers made it a contest. Who could raise the most money for Infantile Paralysis. The money was for research to cure the disease that crippled President Franklin Roosevelt in the … [Read more...] about Memorize This, Fool
“A Disturbing Lesson in Paranoia”
That's what Tim Rutten, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, says American children will be learning from the public hysteria about Obama's planned speech to schoolchildren on Tuesday: … [Read more...] about “A Disturbing Lesson in Paranoia”
That Good Old Keineken Beer—Well, While It Lasted
It may be due to my Dutch heritage; it may be because it is just good beer, but I just love Heineken beer. Back in February of this year, when our economy and the Dutch economy were going to hell in a hand basket, I wrote an article taking some comfort in the fact that Heineken sales in 2008 had risen 27 percent, boosted mainly by the company's acquisition of Scottish & … [Read more...] about That Good Old Keineken Beer—Well, While It Lasted
Ted Kennedy and then some (Guest Voice)
Ted Kennedy and then some By Taylor Jones Here’s the only “nice” caricature I’ve ever drawn of Ted Kennedy. Can’t publish the nastiest one. Don’t get me wrong: Like nearly everyone else, I regarded Edward Moore Kennedy as the greatest legislator of our time -- ranking right up there in American history with Daniel Webster and Henry Clay. …You know, ordinary citizens … [Read more...] about Ted Kennedy and then some (Guest Voice)
The Katrina Metaphor
Embattled as he now is, Barack Obama has not lost his rhetorical touch. In today's weekly address, he uses the fourth anniversary of the Gulf hurricane as an image for American efforts to repair the economy, reform health care and overcome political division. "Government," he says, "must be a partner--not an opponent-–in getting things done." His description of hands-on … [Read more...] about The Katrina Metaphor
Quote of the Day: On Obama’s Speech To Schoolkids
Our political Quote of the Day comes from White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs on the furor over President Barack Obama's upcoming speech to school kids, as conservatives around the country are calling districts and demanding that their kids not be forced to sit through what some of them are calling socialistic political indoctrination: "I think we've reached a little … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On Obama’s Speech To Schoolkids