Two views of group-imposed presentment-alteration requirements. I'm flying to New York for a funeral tonight, so I won't be posting between tonight and tomorrow night. … [Read more...] about “Covering” or “Badging”
Today, Silence
This morning, I twice attempted to compile our regular "Center of Attention" feature, but each time I stopped, deterred by the challenge of choosing among the myriad of posts already published on the related events of yesterday and six years ago. I'm not confident in my ability to make judgements about those posts, about which should be featured in our CoA round up and which … [Read more...] about Today, Silence
911 Anniversary
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant … [Read more...] about 911 Anniversary
George Will: By Bush’s Own Standards Surge Has Failed
One of the most focused and blunt arguments that the "surge" in Iraq has failed comes from conservative columnist George Will. Here are some key excerpts: Before Gen. David Petraeus' report, and to give it a context of optimism, the president visited Iraq's Anbar province to underscore the success of the surge in making some hitherto anarchic areas less so. More … [Read more...] about George Will: By Bush’s Own Standards Surge Has Failed
9/11: Has It Really Been Six Years?
I would be remiss if it didn't put my oar in the water on the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks if only long enough to remember the men and women who died on that horrible day and the families and other loved ones they left behind. As well as note in passing that I was in New York City the other day and the Twin Towers still were gone -- something I don't think I'll … [Read more...] about 9/11: Has It Really Been Six Years?
‘Make Time For All Your Possibilities’
ANNIVERSARY By Suzanne Vega Fall and all attendant memories Crowd the day with unrelated histories Each year leaves it's unresolving fantasies To hang around each corner Hang around each street. Thick with ghosts, the wind whips round in circuitries Carrying words as strangers exchange pleasantries Do they intrude upon your private reveries As they meet you on … [Read more...] about ‘Make Time For All Your Possibilities’
My Name Is Forrest Langley
I am 100% total and permanent disabled. I was in Yusufiyah Iraq in Sunni Triangle of death. I was in multiple explosions. I have Traumatic Brain Damage. I earned several purple hearts for my troubles. I am sick of congressmen and senators walking over the blood of Soldiers. If you would burn the world down with these Copyrighted poems and let the world know how us soldiers … [Read more...] about My Name Is Forrest Langley
Guest Poet: America’s Workers Become More Productive
Another poetic gem from TMV's favorite poet, Michael Silverstein, aka Wall Street Poet: A recent study found that America's workers are now the world's most productive. Each contributes, on average, more than $64,000 to the U.S. economy. This means that the average wage for an American worker is now $64,000 plus, right? Well, not exactly. In fact, most of the wealth these … [Read more...] about Guest Poet: America’s Workers Become More Productive
General Petraeus’ Exclusive Interview On Fox News
Shouldn't they have called the show "Softball?" Question: Did whoever decided to restrict General Petraeus to ONLY getting "interviewed" by Fox News after his remarks to Congress think most Americans fell off the turnip truck? Generally, officials interviewed by professional journalists get tough questions with the interviewer often making a list of questions beforehand … [Read more...] about General Petraeus’ Exclusive Interview On Fox News
Remember
Assessing Petraeus: Less than meets the eye
Move On's over-the-top characterization of General Petraeus' credibility notwithstanding, there is something very fishy about Petreaus' claim that sectarian violence has markedly decreased. Petraeus' own slides show a very minor drop in sectarian violence between February and August: from about 1900 sectarian deaths in February to about 1700 in August. The real sign of … [Read more...] about Assessing Petraeus: Less than meets the eye
Farrakhan: Where is the rage?
I've been a subscriber to Time Magazine since 1993. And this cover, from February 1994, is one that I will always remember. Ministry of Rage! The raging and racist leader of the Nation of Islam (NOI) Louis Farrakhan with his stylish eye wear on. There was a time when Minister Louis Farrakhan and/or prominent members of the NOI were on television fairly regularly. Black … [Read more...] about Farrakhan: Where is the rage?
Puerile Code Pinksters
I was listening to the testimony of Gen. Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker on NPR while running errands. Several times I heard interruptions by spoiled, bratty girls masquerading as responsible adults. I'm appalled to think that I might actually have once been friends with some of them. You know who you are, and you bring only shame to this lesbian feminist. … [Read more...] about Puerile Code Pinksters
Creeping Back to Rule of Law
GOP Presidential hopeful Fred Thompson argues that we need to give Bin Laden "due process" once we capture him. His spokesperson's "clarification" killed a lot of my excitement, but not all of it. Good for him. … [Read more...] about Creeping Back to Rule of Law
Anti-War Ryan
Here's an interesting tidbit: Ryan Crocker, the current US ambassador to Baghdad and lifelong Foreign Service Officer, was an initial opponent of the US invasion of Iraq. … [Read more...] about Anti-War Ryan
General Petraeus Lowers Already Low Expectations in Iraq Even Further
In an exercise in lowering already low expectations, General David Petraeus told lawmakers today that U.S. troops levels in Iraq may be able to return to their pre-surge strength by next summer without jeopardizing what he characterized as hard-won progress. Then, lowering expectations further still, the top American commander in the bitterly divisive war tried to close the … [Read more...] about General Petraeus Lowers Already Low Expectations in Iraq Even Further
Blowback and Testimony
To read my opinion of the testimony of General Petraeus and ambassador Crocker please click here. To sum it up: a sober assessment, both men seemed to be honest; they mentioned the problems but also expressed believe that progress has been made (slowly but surely); all in all a good, realistic assessment of the situation on the ground. It seems to me that people cannot easily … [Read more...] about Blowback and Testimony
With Enemies Like This, General Petraeus Gets New Friends
Move.On.org has run an ad with a headline that deserves nothing less than utter, unadulterated condemnation from thinking Americans of both parties, including those who feel his decision to give an exclusive to Fox News after his report to Congress injects him into partisan politics and is a public relations fiasco. To mince no words, this is the kind of language that cause … [Read more...] about With Enemies Like This, General Petraeus Gets New Friends
Get A Life Department
I mean, REALLY... … [Read more...] about Get A Life Department
In Europe, A Tougher Attitude Towards Anyone Who’s Different
It's not just Muslims who are becoming more radicalized in Europe. FPPassport notes that anti-Semitism as well as anti-Islamic and anti-foreign sentiment are on the rise throughout the region. In Switzerland, for example, there is an effort to initiate a new -- and absurdly harsh -- deportation policy in which "entire immigrant families would be kicked out of Switzerland if … [Read more...] about In Europe, A Tougher Attitude Towards Anyone Who’s Different