Month: June 2007

On January 13, 2007, just days after the new Democrat-controlled Congress convened, President Bush took the opportunity provided by a joint press conference with the new German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, to condemn both Iran and President Ahmadinejad. “Countries such as ours have a great responsibility to work together and send a common message to Iran … Continue reading “A Congress Voters Can’t Buy”

George W. Bush has degraded many important American concepts and values, such as the rule of law, human rights, and just government. Civilian control of the military is his next victim. America’s founding fathers were justifiably concerned about the possibility of military dictatorship, which is why they made the president commander-in-chief of the armed forces. … Continue reading “The End of Supreme Command”

Updated at 11:17 p.m. EDT, June 22, 2007Although a major security offensive is taking place in Diyala province, it is in Baghdad where the majority of U.S. troops lost their lives this week. Yesterday, another MND-B soldier was killed during combat operations in southwestern part of the capital. A British soldier was killed during a … Continue reading “Friday: 1 GI, 1 Briton, 122 Iraqis Killed; 87 Iraqis Wounded”

ARBIL – A huge building complex is rising above Arbil’s ancient citadel and mosques, for long the outstanding features of this city in Iraqi Kurdistan. Once complete, Arbil’s Modern Market with its four 33-floor towers will accommodate more than 5,000 shops and business offices. Yes, this too is Iraq. The billion-dollar project is a symbol … Continue reading “Is Iraqi Kurdistan a Good Investment?”

Congress recently passed a resolution calling on the UN to bring charges of “genocide” against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Now, I hold no brief for the Iranian ranter – whose jeremiads against the West are in the category of Borat-like humor – but this seems like yet another example of political pandering and congressional grandstanding … Continue reading “The End of Dissent?”

On April 1 – Palm Sunday – after bullets were fired into the Church of the Holy Spirit in Mosul, Iraq, during mass, the pastor, Father Ragheed Ganni, a Chaldean Catholic, e-mailed friends at the Asia Times: “We empathize with Christ, who entered Jerusalem in full knowledge that the consequence of His love for mankind … Continue reading “The Martyr of Mosul”

We have all heard Lord Acton’s admonition, "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Most of us believed this referred only to absolute rulers, but its scope is much more widespread. Today the U.S. is the only superpower; as such it has almost absolute power. It can go anywhere, wipe out any state, conquer any … Continue reading “The Curse of Power”

President George W. Bush held an hour-long video conference with Iraqi leaders on Monday and pronounced himself “impressed and reassured,” announced White House Press Secretary Tony Snow. The president believes that Iraqi “leaders are working together” on important issues. Yes, President Bush has seen light at the end of the tunnel. He believes that we … Continue reading “Deluded Presidential Promises of Progress in Iraq”

Updated at 11:35 p.m. EDT, June 21, 2007U.S. troops suffered heavy losses over the last two days. Twelve American servicemembers were killed and five more were wounded in various incidents. This brings the 48-hour total to 14 deaths; two deaths had already been reported yesterday. A British servicemember was also killed. Iraqi citizens did not … Continue reading “Thursday: 12 GIs, 1 Briton, 58 Iraqis Killed; 119 Iraqis Wounded”

This resolution is an exercise in propaganda that serves one purpose: to move us closer to initiating a war against Iran. Citing various controversial statements by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, this legislation demands that the United Nations Security Council charge Ahmadinejad with violating the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of … Continue reading “Have We Forgotten 2003 Already?”