In answer to emails, an extensive post is now being written on President Bush's speech on Iraq. Parts of it should be on this site within the next 45 minutes. … [Read more...] about Stay Tuned
Conversation with a Soldier
On the final leg of my trip home last night – a flight from Dallas to St. Louis – I sat next to a U.S. Army soldier, in full fatigues, who was on his own journey home after a six-month tour in Iraq. He appeared to be around my age, early 40’s, so I struck up a conversation, asking if he was headed to Ft. Leonard Wood. He said he was. I then made a passing comment about … [Read more...] about Conversation with a Soldier
A Reluctant Surge Supporter
Enough of the President's Iraq Speech has been leaked that I will go ahead and declare that although I rarely agree with Bush I support this surge. It may be that 21,000 troops are too few to make a difference, but I support even the smallest chance that we can help move the Iraqi government to a tipping point were they can maintain public order. I think it is worth the … [Read more...] about A Reluctant Surge Supporter
Hope for Comity
Norman Ornstein pointed out some encouraging rhetoric coming from Congress and makes a few suggestions to encourage Comity. I excerpt liberally: From Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio)...If there is one lesson that stands out from our party’s time in the majority, it is this: A Congressional majority is simply a means to an end. The value of a majority lies not in the … [Read more...] about Hope for Comity
The Next Korematsu
I am becoming more and more sure that our treatment of Jose Padilla will become the next great stain on America's honor. … [Read more...] about The Next Korematsu
Spy money
Here's an interesting story from The Globe and Mail: Canadian coins containing tiny transmitters have mysteriously turned up in the pockets of at least three American contractors who visited Canada, says a branch of the U.S. Defense Department. Security experts believe the miniature devices could be used to track the movements of defence industry personnel dealing in … [Read more...] about Spy money
Blair on Saddam
From the BBC: "Tony Blair has called the manner of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's execution 'completely wrong'." This follows Gordon Brown, who has called it "deplorable and unacceptable". They're both right. One needn't excuse Saddam his many crimes to find his execution an utterly despicable act of vengeance. … [Read more...] about Blair on Saddam
Center of Attention
Extra attention to a few Centrist blogs: Amba on the meaning of the word 'surge'. Sadly, for Amba at least, U.S. President George W. Bush will not use the word 'surge' but instead an 'increase of troops'. Dang. David Adesnik favors a 'surge'. He tries to explain why. After reading his post, I'm still wondering why he supports it. After reading David's post, go read QandO: … [Read more...] about Center of Attention
“Iraq is George Bush’s Vietnam”
Senator Ted Kennedy, as many of you know, has come out swinging against President Bush and the surge he is expected to announce this evening. He proposed legislation yesterday to stop the escalation of the Iraq War: "The President may deny the plain truth. But the truth speaks loudly and tragically. Congress must no longer follow him deeper into the quagmire in … [Read more...] about “Iraq is George Bush’s Vietnam”
Washington Post: Bush “Surge” Goes Against Military Preference (UPDATED)
The Washington Post now makes it part of the political culture and how President George Bush's speech will be reported tonight: the "surge" policy is more like a "shove" policy since it was apparently shoved down the throats of the military:When President Bush goes before the American people tonight to outline his new strategy for Iraq, he will be doing something he has avoided … [Read more...] about Washington Post: Bush “Surge” Goes Against Military Preference (UPDATED)
Gilmore for president
Who? Exactly. But I thought I'd mention it anyway. Jim Gilmore -- about whom you can learn more here, should you feel the need -- is a former one-term governor of Virginia and chairman of the Republican Party. He is, to put it mildly, a completely undistinguished candidate. Yet he's running for president. Steve Benen asks the right question: Why? Gilmore "was among … [Read more...] about Gilmore for president
Somali official: Top al-Qaida suspect killed in U.S. air strike
The AP, via the Haaretz, reports the following: A senior al-Qaida suspect wanted for bombing United States embassies in East Africa has been killed in a U.S. airstrike, a Somali official said Wednesday, quoting an American report, as his government called for American ground forces to flush out any remaining extremists. Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, one of the FBI's most wanted … [Read more...] about Somali official: Top al-Qaida suspect killed in U.S. air strike
Literary Quote of the Day: Ambrose Bierce
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) was a brilliant but underappreciated American author and journalist who had a long and tumultuous relationship with press baron William Randolph Hearst. He also was a misanthrope possibly without peer. “The Devil’s Dictionaryâ€? (1911) is a satirical “dictionaryâ€? written by Bierce that offers reinterpretations of the English language that … [Read more...] about Literary Quote of the Day: Ambrose Bierce
More Berger
Tom Davis (R - VA) released a statement regarding "Sandy Berger’s theft of classified documents from the National Archives." “Mr. Berger’s review of documents did not conform to the usual requirements for reviewing classified documents in a secure facility and under strict supervision. The Archives staff’s failure to contact law enforcement immediately and their … [Read more...] about More Berger
Senator McCain: Surge is Necessary in Order to Achieve Victory
Senator John McCain wrote a guest post for Power Line. He writes: Debate in recent days has focused on the possibility of “surgingâ€? U.S. combat forces in Iraq. Security is the precondition for political progress and economic development, and we need more troops on the ground. But to make a real difference, any surge must be substantial and sustained. During my recent … [Read more...] about Senator McCain: Surge is Necessary in Order to Achieve Victory
A Song For Our Times — And All Times
Great songs from the past have a way of being relevant today whether the subject is love or revolution. But The Who's "We Won't Get Fooled Again," written by Pete Townshend in 1971, reverberates especially loudly for me (and it should be played loud!) on the cusp of the Democratic return to power in Washington. Please click here for the lyrics and judge for yourself. No … [Read more...] about A Song For Our Times — And All Times
Flawed Political Assumptions May Underpin Bush’s Iraq “Surge” Plan
Today's the big day when President George Bush, after weeks of deliberations -- coupled with carefully leaked, unnamed source reports that he had already decided -- will announce a major "surge" (escalation) of U.S. troops in Iraq. It's widely perceived as a last-ditch effort to secure the status quo in Iraq and clean out dangerous pockets of resistance so Iraq's … [Read more...] about Flawed Political Assumptions May Underpin Bush’s Iraq “Surge” Plan
Around The Sphere January 10, 2007
Our famous linkfest offering you links to sites with MANY different viewpoints. Links do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its cobloggers. An INCREDIBLE Original Report With Photos from Lebanon is available HERE from Michael Totten. This is original blog reporting at its very BEST. (If you have the $$, it's well worth giving him a donation.) Apple's Getting A … [Read more...] about Around The Sphere January 10, 2007
Demanding 2008 Candidates Take The “Clean Money Pledge”
The Unity 08 independents are launching campaign called the “Clean Money Pledgeâ€? on their website asking voters to pledge to only vote for presidential candidates who raise the majority of his/her campaign war chests in small-dollar contributions. You can read the group's pledge here. This is the explanation as to why this is important. They offer this FAQ on the … [Read more...] about Demanding 2008 Candidates Take The “Clean Money Pledge”
Ford Inspires Online Activists To Demand “Civility” From Congress
Who says a quieter, less screaming tone never has an impact? Read this:Inspired by the life and death of Gerald Ford, a group of online community activists is urging members of Congress to pledge their allegiance to a more bipartisan and civil brand of politics. The idea is the brainchild of Maryland engineer Ian Broverman, a member of the HOTSOUP.com issues-based community … [Read more...] about Ford Inspires Online Activists To Demand “Civility” From Congress