Monthly Archives: March 2007

Beware the funding hype, or not

According to Think Progress: Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) and others have been arguing that Bush is wrong, and that funds won’t dry up until June, giving plenty of time for negotiations: Murtha says he believes the April 15 date for … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Military Matters | 3 Comments

No Joke This Time, Murtha Wants the Draft

Despite all kinds of bogus claims the administration wanted to bring back the draft, all the agitation for it has come from Democrats. Of course, in the case of some it was just to scare people. Murtha however, does want … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Law, Libertarianism, Military Matters | 4 Comments

Iraq Stops Iranian Arms Smuggler

As the British soldier crisis simmers towards a boil, Iraqi and coalition forces captured an Iranian in Sadr City accused of being a major arms smuggler. From the Multi-National Force – Iraq website: BAGHDAD, Iraq –Iraqi and Coalition Forces captured … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, MichaelW's Page, Military Matters, Notes on the war | 2 Comments

Jane and the Flying Imams

Last November, right before Thanksgiving, six Muslim cleric were removed from a US Airways flight for “suspicious behavior” in the view of several passengers and crew members. The six have since been dubbed the “Flying Imams.” Although at first the … Continue reading

Posted in MichaelW's Page, Religion and theology | Leave a comment

The Cancer Within (UPDATED)

Via Patterico I see that the bad news visited upon Tony Snow is generating an unexceptional response at HuffPo: I hear about Tony Snow and say to myself, well, stand up every day, lie to the American people at the … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Glenn Greenwald's Carnival of Fisking, MichaelW's Page | 3 Comments

Tyler notes how the French economies rigidity is connected to its health care system.

Posted in Around the Web | Leave a comment

Does The Outcome Change the Rightness of A Decision??

Frank Warner digs into the latest Pew Poll on Iraq and finds that “Americans now are slightly more optimistic about the Iraq war.” In the last month, the percent of Americans saying the war is going “not too well” or … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Keith's Page, Media, Military Matters, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Update on Haditha

This article gives a few quick details on the “60 Minutes” interview given by Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich regarding his actions in Haditha, Iraq on November 19, 2005. Examine the key final paragraph which is Wuterich’s explanation and evaluation of … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Military Matters, The Poet Omar's Page | Leave a comment

The Mindset in Iran

Update and correction: Keith has provied me with the correct link to the article in question, so I have deleted the full version of it from this post and substituted the link, instead. Much thanks! This article by Iranian scholar … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, The Poet Omar's Page | 11 Comments

Questions of Patriotism

“Peace protesters” conducted a few marches across the country to commemorate the launch of the war in Iraq. These rallies were organized by the usual suspects, but the incidence of hostile and, at times, violent displays of “dissent” towards war-supporters … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, MichaelW's Page | 11 Comments

The Upcoming Tax Hike

If only we still lived in the good ole’ days is a cliché which is generally unwarranted. However, looking at this copy of the 1913 form 1040 I am filled with wistful longing. From Carpe Diem via Club for Growth:

Posted in Domestic Politics, History, Lance's Page | 5 Comments

On to the Senate

Now that the House has passed its duplicitous, pork ridden supplemental bill for funding the effort in Iraq the debate moves on to the Senate. First though, let us look at the kinds of things which have been larded on … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Military Matters | Leave a comment

Reflections on the “Greatest Generation” vs. the “Video Game Generation”

Keith recently posted about the enlistment of older and/or successful men in our military, knowing full well that they would likely be sent to Iraq or Afghanistan and National Medal of Honor day . I got this e-mail from my … Continue reading

Posted in Lance's Page, Military Matters | 1 Comment

Speaking of Kings, Princes and the Corruption of Power-Updated

David Obey is a real piece of work. First he gets upset at those “idiot liberals” who insist on a principled stands against the war, defeating his efforts to get an unprincipled, pork ridden compromise passed. A compromise that attempts … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Lance's Page | 1 Comment

Another shoe may soon drop in Venezuela

One of the steps in turning countries into a totalitarian state is the placing of power in local committees selected for “Revolutionary commitment.” Cuba has used the local committees as the states eyes and ears, enforcers and purveyors of terror. … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Hugo Chavez, Lance's Page | 2 Comments

The Great American Offset!- Update

Now this is a really stupid case, but if Al Gore and John Edwards can do it for themselves, I can do it for America as a whole. Heck, I’ll throw in Canada. If this paper from Science is correct … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Environment, Humor, Lance's Page | 2 Comments

Shift Happens

We live in a fast changing world. I consider that a good thing: glumbert.com – Shift Happens [tags] China, India, technology, economics, politics, US, jobs, education [/tags]

Posted in Developmental economics, Domestic Politics, Economics, Foreign affairs, History, Lance's Page, social science, Technology | Leave a comment

Democrats Show Their Stripe Again

Pelosi and Murtha obviously haven’t been getting updates on the war, since the reality is, the Iraqis are stepping up with the current counter-offensive, and progress is being made. And having to lard on at least $20 BILLION dollars to … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Economics, Foreign affairs, Keith's Page, Military Matters | 1 Comment

Nothing succeeds like the appearance of success. – II

Nine days have gone by since I brought you this update on Iraq. They sure have been busy in Iraq these last 9 days as the list of headlines below, from MNF-I, can attest to. Now, if you’ve been following … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Keith's Page, Military Matters, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

More on slippery timelines

Senators Pryor and Nelson gave cogent reasons for being against set timelines last week. Take a look. [youtube yjQyym1A5Cc] Will they suddenly discover that they are great with enough pressure and pork thrown their way? From the WaPo in its … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Military Matters | 1 Comment

Use of Iranian Roadside Bombs Plummets

From CBS: After warning that the threat of deadly EFPs, or Explosively Formed Penetrators, was growing at an alarming rate, the U.S. military now says there’s been a “dramatic” decrease in the use of the powerful roadside bombs. EFPs “can … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Military Matters | 2 Comments

They Are All Heroes to Me II

Yesterday I posted about how I feel about those who enlist and serve in our military, especially during a time of war, and when they could have more lucrative careers. Well, James Robbins, over at the National Review, reminds us … Continue reading

Posted in Keith's Page, Military Matters | 1 Comment

The Iranian Question, For Britain (Updated)

Iran is escalating the situation in the Middle East, and against the Brits especially: Fifteen British Navy personnel have been captured at gunpoint by Iranian forces, the Ministry of Defence says. The men were seized at 1030 local time when … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, MichaelW's Page | 9 Comments

State Needs to Help or Get Out of the Way in Iraq

Thomas Barnett has a great post up today about how the State Department is holding back progress in Iraq. State needs to get with the program, or get out of the way. The story on our ag aid to Iraq … Continue reading

Posted in Developmental economics, Domestic Politics, Economics, Keith's Page, Libertarianism | 1 Comment

Attorney-Gate II

As the pundits pile on, and facts become evermore distorted, I am finally finding Attorney-Gate more interesting. Below is a round-up of some of the more cogent analyses, both of political and legal issues. But first, here’s my take. This … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Law, MichaelW's Page | 3 Comments

Ideology versus Partisanship

Thanks to Simon at Stubborn Facts, I read this piece again from Michael Kinsley: [I]t’s pretty clear what Americans want. They want an end to partisan bickering. They want pragmatic solutions, not ideological posturing. They want leaders who reject politics … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Lance's Page, Libertarianism | 9 Comments

You Have the Right…

to be offended, and to offend… At least, that’s what the 1st Amendment ought to mean. But some recent cases show that students don’t have that right, and increasingly many in the public square feel their rights to free speech … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Keith's Page, Law, Libertarianism | 1 Comment

Zimbabwe Sliding Towards Civil War

Tyrants bringing in external brut squads is never a good sign… At the same time the AU calls for Mugabe to have “respect for human rights and democratic principles in Zimbabwe.” Yeah, like that’s going to happen. How long till … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Keith's Page, Military Matters | 2 Comments

They Are All Heroes to Me – Update Below the Fold

It is often heartening to hear stories of why people join the military. Some people do it because they have few options, but many people do it because they want to serve this country. And some few give up more … Continue reading

Posted in Keith's Page, Military Matters | 2 Comments

United We Stand, Divided They Fall

While this may lead to some ultra-violent fringe groups, I think over all this is going to be a big plus for Iraq and our mission there. Now, if they could further seal the border between Iraq and everywhere else, … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Keith's Page, Military Matters | 1 Comment

How Green is that Prius??

Apparently not as much as we’ve been led to believe, when you total up the entire environmental costs. Now, if you only look at fuel costs for running the vehicle, they sure are green. But what about all those materials … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Economics, Keith's Page, Technology | 10 Comments

Al Gore, not ready to make the cut himself-Updated

Al Gore will be carbon neutral (well maybe, he says he is) but he won’t do everything he can, even though he could live quite the life going carbon negative. That is something most of us don’t have the means … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Environment, Lance's Page | 3 Comments

Meanwhile on the Eastern Front – Updated

Pakistan, with the help of local tribes, are going after al-Qaeda along part of the Afghan/Pakistan border. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21425195-2703,00.html SCORES of al-Qa’ida fighters were reported dead last night in fierce battles with tribal militants in the key Waziristan area of Pakistan … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Keith's Page, Military Matters | 29 Comments

Regression in Congress

The approval ratings of Congress are slipping down. Could be because the Democrats’ Senate record, so far, is 0 and 6, and the Democrats have larded on $20 BILLION dollars onto the FY07 War Supplemental, all in an effort to … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Keith's Page | 6 Comments

Progress in Iraq – II

A lot of good info in this editorial by Gordon Cucullu Petraeus, the new commander managing the “surge” of troops in Iraq, will be the first to caution realism. “Sure we see improvements – major improvements,” he said in our … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Keith's Page, Military Matters | 1 Comment

Hugo Chavez and the path to mass murder

Lee over at postpolitical takes my theme from the other day and fleshes it out with regard to events in Venezuela. Well worth reading in gaining an understanding of the dynamic that inevitably occurs. [tags] Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, socialism [/tags]

Posted in Economics, Foreign affairs, Hugo Chavez, Lance's Page, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Unintended Consequences???

Not content with undermining the Presidents role as command-in-chief, it looks like some in Congress want to be Secretary of State too… http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.res.00106: Calling upon the President to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Keith's Page | 1 Comment

Support the Troops

There are many ways people can show support for our troops, even if you don’t think the mission in Iraq is the right mission. Not disrespecting the troops, or the mission they are trying to accomplish would be a good … Continue reading

Posted in Keith's Page, Military Matters | 2 Comments

When Is A Muzzle A Bullhorn?

According to Mick Stockinger, when one is a climate scientist: On January 29, 2006, the New York Times published a front-page article about Hansen: “Climate Expert Says NASA Tried to Silence Him.” According to Hansen, as the Times reported, “officials … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Environment, Humor, Media, MichaelW's Page | 2 Comments

16 Words Redux

I seem to remember many people saying that there was NO WAY to obtain nuclear material from African countries, except through legal channels. Hmmph, maybe not… KINSHASA, CONGO — The head of Congo’s atomic energy commission has been arrested on … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Keith's Page, Media | Leave a comment

Computer Language Pioneer John Backus Passes

From the New York Times via Pajamas Media, I learned that John Backus died on Saturday. Now, the name probably doesn’t mean anything to most people. In fact, it didn’t mean anything to me, until I saw the computer language … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Keith's Page, Technology | 1 Comment

Iraq and conflicting polls-Edit: problems with images fixed

All polls in Iraq should be treated with a certain amount of skepticism, but neither should they be ignored, that is unless they hopelessly skew themselves from the get go, whereupon bit of interpretation will be needed. Amongst a number … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Lance's Page, Media | 7 Comments

Penetrating Iran

As a follow up to my post, “Internal Struggle in Iran on the Horizon,” I’d suggest reading this article by Michael Young on the recent defections of military officials from Iran. If the U.S. played a role in Asgari’s defection, … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Keith's Page | Leave a comment

“Pacing” himself

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs recently “clarified” a statement that he made to the Chicago Tribune regarding the immorality of homosexual behavior. General Peter Pace suggested that he should have focused his comments more on the military’s “don’t ask, … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Military Matters, The Poet Omar's Page | 3 Comments

Attorney-Gate

Despite the title of this post, I’m not so sure there is any meat to the alleged scandal concerning the firing of seven U.S. Attorney Generals and the non-rehiring of another, Carol Lam. In fact, as I argue below, there … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Law, Media, MichaelW's Page | 2 Comments

Perceptions Of War

Sparked by Keith’s excellent post below, I decided to rummage through some old posts of mine regarding civil war in Iraq. I seemed to recall that the media had been pushing the “civil war” meme quite early on, often conflating … Continue reading

Posted in Foreign affairs, Media, MichaelW's Page | Leave a comment

Americans behind our Soldiers, Iraqis Prefer Life Today, Iraqis Against al Qaeda

This weekend there was a protest march on the Pentagon. What is important, to me at least, is that there was a counter-protest called, the Gathering of Eagles. Since I wasn’t there, I can’t comment first hand on the scene. … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Foreign affairs, Keith's Page, Military Matters | 3 Comments

What You Say, Will Be Used Against You…

Not just in a court of law, but in the court of public opinion too… Wonder how this is going to impact Hillary’s campaign to become President??? http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=19734 Hillary Clinton’s political methods were founded on the theories of a 1960s … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Keith's Page | 2 Comments

Iraq Army Stepping Up and Americans are behind them

Iraqis are increasingly the face being seen at the front of patrols and operations in Baghdad. American soldiers are, day by day, in an increasingly supportive role. And the American people, despite the constant bad news, think the mission is … Continue reading

Posted in Domestic Politics, Keith's Page, Media, Military Matters | 3 Comments

Internal Struggle in Iran on the Horizon

McQ, over at QandO, notices some opposition to Ahmadinejad’s economic and foreign policy. Tie that in with the defections and executions of members of Iran’s military and you have signs of an internal struggle on the horizon. Perhaps, the pressure, … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Foreign affairs, Keith's Page | 6 Comments