Month: September 2008

U.S. vs. Them: How a Half Century of Conservatism Has Undermined America’s Security J. Peter Scoblic Viking, 2008 350 pp. From what stems the disastrous course of U.S. foreign policy? J. Peter Scoblic, an editor at the New Republic, argues that labels are easily applied but explain little: "calling the Iraq war a unilateral, military … Continue reading “U.S. vs. Them“

Updated at 7:15 p.m. EDT, Sept. 11, 2008At least 27 Iraqis were killed and 28 more were wounded in the latest attacks. Cholera continues in the headlines; however, conflicting numbers have made it difficult to judge the extent of the epidemic. No Coalition deaths were reported. In Baghdad, three people were killed and three more … Continue reading “Thursday: 27 Iraqis Killed, 28 Wounded”

On a pastoral Tuesday morning, seven years ago, hijacked passenger jets crashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. In addition to a death toll of almost 3,000, there was a great deal of symbolism in the attacks, not just in the choice of targets – symbols of American power and commerce – but … Continue reading “The War That Never Was”

Thomas Fingar, the U.S. government’s top intelligence analyst, in a public speech on Sept. 4, repeated the intelligence community’s key judgment that Iran’s work on the "weaponization portion" of its nuclear development program "was suspended" in 2003. Not that the Fawning Corporate Media (FCM) has exactly trumpeted this important conclusion. One has to read down … Continue reading “Iran’s Road Less Traveled to Nukes”

Updated at 6:55 p.m. EDT, Sept. 10, 2008U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that improving security in Iraq would allow the U.S. to change its military focus to Afghanistan, but the U.S. will still remain in Iraq for many years to come. He also said that the war has entered its "endgame." At least 11 … Continue reading “Wednesday: 11 Iraqis Killed, 24 Wounded”

One month ago, when the jury in the first U.S. war crimes trial since the Second World War found Salim Hamdan guilty of providing material support for terrorism, but not guilty of conspiracy, the U.S. administration regarded it as a victory, even though numerous commentators – myself included – remained profoundly critical of the entire … Continue reading “Controversy Still Plagues Military Commissions”

As much as I hate to do it – with all that’s happening in the world – I’m taking a very short break from my column for the rest of this week, and into next week, for a very good reason. You see, I’m moving out of San Francisco, after 37 years of living in … Continue reading “A Message to My Readers”

Can anyone be surprised that, once again, the attacks of 9/11/01 were reflexively ground zero for embattled Republicans? George W. Bush led the way at the Republican National Convention, saying of John McCain, “We need a president who understands the lessons of Sept. 11, 2001.” In his convention keynote address, Rudy Giuliani followed suit, zapping … Continue reading “Worshiping the
Indispensable Nation”

In accepting the nomination as the Republican candidate for U.S. president, Sen. John McCain proclaimed that if elected, “We are going to stop sending $700 billion a year to countries that don’t like us very much.” One can’t help but wonder what $700 billion the good senator is talking about. (He certainly couldn’t have been … Continue reading “What $700 Billion?”

Updated at 9:00 p.m. EDT, Sept. 9, 2008President Bush announced that no more U.S. troops will come home from Iraq until after the next president takes office. Meanwhile, U.S forces released an Iraqi cameraman from detention, and the Iraqi parliament convened in Baghdad. At least 15 Iraqis were killed and 33 more were wounded in … Continue reading “Tuesday: 15 Iraqis Killed, 33 Wounded”