Month: December 2003

The blue-tiled shrine of the Hidden Imam looms over the northern Iraqi city of Samarra, reminding the now rather decrepit and dusty-looking town of its former glory as the seat of the Muslim Caliphate. It was there, perhaps not too surprisingly, that the Iraqi insurgency first raised its head and showed the recognizable face of … Continue reading “Showdown in Samarra”

‘Boot Boortz!‘ All right, the National LP deserves this. But I understand Boortz was booked at the last convention before this “democracy spreading” crap started. If it’s any consolation, I believe I have given you a reason to have hope in the LP. It was you that we invited to our Illinois convention last year, … Continue reading “”

If the success of the unofficial Israeli-Palestinian peace plan launched amid great fanfare in Geneva on Monday were dependent on international goodwill, it could be implemented tomorrow. With three Nobel Peace Prize laureates – including former US president Jimmy Carter – in attendance, as well as messages of support sent from leaders from around the … Continue reading “Unofficial Mideast Peace Plans Get Global Backing”

The return over the weekend to something like a set-piece battle in Iraq, though conducted in the context of a guerrilla conflict rather than the usual army-vs.-army context, could heighten what is still a looming threat to American liberties: a draft. White House press secretary Scott McClellan recently responded with a quick and emphatic "no" … Continue reading “Feeling a Draft”

The Republican National Committee has shown what President George W. Bush’s re-election campaign will be about: fearmongering. Well, he’s pretty good at warmongering, so why not play the fear card? The essence of the RNC’s first commercial was that if you don’t re-elect Bush, the big, bad boogeyman will get you. You should remember that … Continue reading “Playing the Fear Card”

It was the most publicized teardrop in modern history. As the Washington Times, in a veritable swoon, breathlessly related: "President Bush yesterday swooped into Baghdad for a surprise Thanksgiving Day visit with U.S. troops and, with a tear running down his cheek, said their countrymen ‘pray for your safety and your strength as you continue … Continue reading “Crocodile Teardrops”