From the NY Times LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 8 — Reversing itself, the Army said Tuesday that a G.I. was discharged partly because of a head injury he suffered while posing as an uncooperative detainee during a training exercise at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. The Army had previously said Specialist Sean Baker’s medical discharge in April was unrelated to the injury he … Read More
The Torture Memo – A First Stab
I’ll throw my hat into the legal analysis ring, although you can (or will) find good analyses here and here as well. UPDATE: A very fine first draft critique by University of Miami law professor Michael Froomkin can be found here. I say "very fine" because it mirrors my comments, plus a few more . . . and is better … Read More
Why W Isn’t Reagan – Part II
"[Reagan] had decades of experience in public life. He was president of his union, he campaigned for presidential candidates, he served two terms as governor of California — and that was not a ceremonial office as it is in Texas. And he had already run for president, against Ford in ’76, nearly unseating the sitting president in his own party. … Read More
Why Is Everyone Calling This Woman A Nazi Bitch?
Her name is Mary L. Walker. You can read about her here. [UPDATE: No, you can’t. They took her down a coupla days after I posted this. But you can read the same interview here] She’s the General Counsel of the U.S. Air Force. A woman devoted to God, she offers such advice: To live your life in that context … Read More
Fahrenheit 9/11 Trailer
Check out the trailer here. Oh. And here’s another good movie trailer — this movie is probably not coming to your area, but it’ll be out on DVD one of these days. It would make a good double bill with Fahrenheit 9/11, would it not?
More W and Reagan Comparisons
This time, a stupid one from James K. Glassman at Tech Central Station. Let’s pick it apart, shall we? First, like Reagan, the current president adopted a simple, straightforward program and is resolutely pursuing it: 1) cutting taxes, 2) bringing the fight against terrorism directly to the enemy, 3) building democracy in parts of the world where it has been … Read More
Why W Isn’t Reagan
Nick Confessore at Tapped as an excellent post on the subject of "Reagan’s Other Legacy". In it, he refers to an article by New Republic contributor Jonathan Chait (posted at the Reagan legacy website). The Chait article is prescient, being dated before 9/11 — indeed, being dated before George W. Bush was "elected". He summarizes the Reagan mystique in this … Read More
Ronald Reagan
It seems fitting to say a few words in honor of "The Great Communicator" at the time of his passing. It seems more fitting that I not be the one to give such a eulogy. Ronald Reagan had skills as a politician which were undeniable. And his message was welcome to many. But not to me, and it would hypocritical … Read More
Way To Go, Kid!
Frankly, I think anyone who can spell "autochthonous" deserves far more than $18,000. He deserves a Congressional Medal of Honor or something. And now I am stuck trying to think of any other English word which has "-chth-" in it (in a row, of course). Anyone?
Bush Campaign Enlisting Help Of Churches
As reported here: The Bush campaign is seeking to enlist thousands of religious congregations around the country in distributing campaign information and registering voters, according to an e-mail message sent to many members of the clergy and others in Pennsylvania. Liberal groups charged that the effort invited violations of the separation of church and state and jeopardized the tax-exempt status … Read More
Breaking News
Tenet resigning. You know, to spend more time with the fam. Right. Whatever. Just write your damn book.
A Tale Of Two Headlines
Veterans Dismiss Comparisons with Iraq – MSNBC, June 2, 2004; 7:48 a.m. E.T. . . . Yet, as a handful of U.S. veterans from the Normandy invasion explained, there are few parallels between the two undertakings. As far as they are concerned, World War II represented a unique era because of the very real, palpable, and all-encompassing threat posed by … Read More
Cheneyburtongate
Cheney has stated that he has had no role or influence in the government’s award of no-competitive-bid contracts to Halliburton. As Time and CNN are reporting, a March 5, 2003 e-mail puts those comments into question. The email is "an internal Pentagon e-mail from an Army Corps of Engineers official to another Pentagon employee". As the story says: The e-mail … Read More
Cheney Is A Lying Liar
Hat tip to Lizard Queen for catching this recent news item: WASHINGTON (AFP) – A Pentagon e-mail said Vice President Dick Cheney coordinated a huge Halliburton government contract for Iraq, despite Cheney’s denial of interest in the company he ran until 2000. The March 5, 2003 e-mail, from an Army Corps of Engineers official, said that top Pentagon official Douglas … Read More
“Pop” vs. “Soda”
When people refer to "soft drinks" generically, what word do they use? Well, it depends. This map has the answer. (Note: Click on it to make it big). Anyone want to do one for hoagies/submarines/grinders?