The insurgents are engaged in a ruthless bombing campaign with no regard as to who gets killed. Additional foreign troops are brought in to stanch the violence and restore order. The troops seal off the insurgents’ urban enclave and set up checkpoints. They answer the insurgents' violence with even more violence. Baghdad in 2007? No, it’s Algiers in 1957 and the subject … [Read more...] about DVD Review: ‘The Battle of Algiers’
Non-Binding War Resolution Non-Materializes In Senate
The new political realitiy -- the Democrats are dominant in Congress but not completely in control -- was underscored by the fate of the highly-touted non-partisan nonbinding resolution debate on Iraq. Because in the end The Big Debate became The Nonexistant Debate. Questions: (1)Does this mean back to the drawing board for some kind of resolution that can bring … [Read more...] about Non-Binding War Resolution Non-Materializes In Senate
Little Miss Sunshine
The Unavoidable Horizon
How narrative unavoidably constrains and perverts our perception of reality (as applied to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict). … [Read more...] about The Unavoidable Horizon
The war’s legality as a defense
From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Fort Lewis this week will become ground zero for the peace movement. Activists have called for a national day of action today, when the court-martial of 28-year-old 1st Lt. Ehren Watada begins. In the past year, Watada has become a lightning rod for the anti-war movement as the only known U.S. military officer to publicly refuse to be … [Read more...] about The war’s legality as a defense
Center of Attention
Extra attention to a few Centrist blogs. Dave Schuler on the surge "may or may not have started today" and... nobody likes Edwards anymore..? Steve Clemons on Libya and Syria. His view: stop obsessing over regime change "and do a deal that offers Syria's rationalists an arrangement that meets their needs". Amba finds it 'painful to watch the 2008 Presidential wannabes … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
Remember Your Past
George W. Bush wins religious liberty award named after Strict Separationist Baptist Preacher. … [Read more...] about Remember Your Past
TIP-Truman Institute Iran Conference
I write quite regularly about Iran. One of the recurring themes is that there is much we don't know. We have to find out more about Iran, about its capabilities but also about what it's doing right now - its policies, intentions, etc. The Israel Project sponsored, together with the Truman Institute for Peace, a conference on Iran entitled "In the Eye of the Storm: Iran in … [Read more...] about TIP-Truman Institute Iran Conference
Whither Conservatism?
I read with great interest Jason Steck’s post below on “Why Defend Conservativesâ€? and the many comments, which included a fair number of thoughtful responses to Jason’s view that conservatives have been bullied and are misunderstood. I will reserve comment on that contention because it was amply answered by others. But while Jason’s post and comments tasted … [Read more...] about Whither Conservatism?
Jews of Cochin
Thank you Hollyrob for sending me the article from the Jerusalem Post about the old synagogue at Cochin in the South Indian state of Kerala. It revived memories of my visit to the synagogue almost two decades ago. Even if one is not a Jew you would find wonderful vibrations once you are inside. Some sources say that the earliest Jews were those who settled in the Malabar … [Read more...] about Jews of Cochin
The weekend of violence in Iraq
Sunday was quieter than Saturday (with the horrendous suicide bombing that killed over 130 people), the death toll less, but the violence continued: "Four people were killed and 20 wounded Sunday when a car bomb exploded near a bus station in the town of Khalis, about 12 miles (20 kilometers) north of Baquba." In Baghdad..., gunmen, bombs and mortar attacks killed 14 … [Read more...] about The weekend of violence in Iraq
DNA sampling: just another data-point?
I clearly recall the first time someone took my fingerprints: it was part of the application / screening process to become a Deputy Sheriff. Since then, it's happened many times, and I think we take it for granted these days that fingerprinting is merely part of an identification process. Are we ready to grant such casual acceptance to DNA sampling? More here. … [Read more...] about DNA sampling: just another data-point?
Liberalism vs. Liberalism
John Stuart Mill influenced my political views greatly Reader and frequent commenter Nicrivera left a great comment, in my opinion at least, in the comment section of Jason Steck's post Why Defend Conservatives. In fact, it is so good and important, that it deserves to be published in full right here. My comments follow below. Read my entire take on this at Michael P.F. … [Read more...] about Liberalism vs. Liberalism
Those Violent Super Bowl Commercials
Was I the only person who thought that many Super Bowl commercials were outrageously violent? Nope. Click here to read more. … [Read more...] about Those Violent Super Bowl Commercials
Science, Politics And Religion
Literary Quote of the Day: Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Today's literary quote of the day is from Alfred Lord Tennyson's In Memoriam: 'Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all. I cannot help but to feel that whomever agrees with Tennyson has never truly loved. Share your thoughts on today's literary quote in the comment section of this post. … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: Alfred, Lord Tennyson
The Departed: A Review
At Pajamas Media: "His final Oscar ballot hot in his hand (due February 20th), Academy member Roger L. Simon reviews one of this year’s clear Oscar favorites - The Departed." Although Roger greatly respects Martin Scorsese he starts off by saying that, although he likes most of his movies he does not love most of them. He explains: I think it’s because – in recent … [Read more...] about The Departed: A Review
(Updated) Just Another Day in Hell
Smoke billows from a market in a predominantly Shiite area of Baghdad after a truck bomber killed over 135 people and wounded over 300 in a crowd of shoppers buying food for evening meals in the worst single suicide bombing of the war. Some Iraqis are blaming the U.S. for creating the conditions that led to the Saturday evening bombing, arguing that the Americans have been … [Read more...] about (Updated) Just Another Day in Hell
Iran will Announce Huge Leap toward Industrial-Scale Production of Enriched Uranium
William Broad and David Sanger wrote quite an interesting article for The New York Times. Iran is expected to announce something important on February the 11th (this coming Sunday): the anniversary of Iran's Islamic Revolution. As both men write, "Iran is expected to declare in coming days that it has made a huge leap toward industrial-scale production of enriched uranium — a … [Read more...] about Iran will Announce Huge Leap toward Industrial-Scale Production of Enriched Uranium
Ralph Nader Hints He’ll Run Again
The media has been full of the phrases "The Decider," "The Decision Maker" -- now brace yourself because "The Spoiler" may be back again. Ralph Nader -- the man who argued that that there was no real difference between the two main political parties in 2000 and 2004 -- is hinting he could run again:Former presidential candidate Ralph Nader on Sunday left the door open for … [Read more...] about Ralph Nader Hints He’ll Run Again