Going Back Where They Came From

“If we have to make common cause with the more hawkish liberals and fight the conservatives, that is fine with me,” William Kristol has told the New York Times. The Weekly Standard editor added that the neoconservatives may just abandon the Right altogether and convert to neo-liberalism. Alluding to his father Irving’s definition of a … Continue reading “Going Back Where They Came From”

Bush Outsources Mideast Policy

“Speaking of the Palestinians, they were dealt a lethal blow,” exulted a jubilant Ariel Sharon, “It will bring their dreams to an end.” Sharon was bragging about his trip to Washington where he bullied Bush into selling out the Palestinians as thoroughly as Neville Chamberlain sold out the Czechs at Munich. “Sharon Got It All” … Continue reading “Bush Outsources Mideast Policy”

Thinking the Unthinkable

“I hope you got a sense of conviction about what we’re doing,” said the president, as he ended his primetime press conference. We certainly did. Indeed, listening Tuesday night, one must concede the convictions, the earnestness and the resolve of the president that he is doing what he believes best for America. And he has … Continue reading “Thinking the Unthinkable”

Soldier On, Escalate, or Get Out?

This is “George Bush’s Vietnam,” railed Sen. Kennedy last week in a charge that angered Sen. John McCain. And by any traditional measure of war, McCain is right. While Vietnam lasted a decade and took 58,000 U.S. lives, Iraq has lasted a year and cost 650 US dead. Even the Filipino insurrection of 1899-1902 was … Continue reading “Soldier On, Escalate, or Get Out?”

Is Failure Now an Option?

“No one knows how America’s occupation of Iraq will play out. Optimists say this will be like Germany and Japan after World War II. … Pessimists point to Lebanon and Israel’s invasion of 1982. “Put me down among the pessimists. I think Brer Rabbit just hit the tar baby.” So I wrote, a year ago, … Continue reading “Is Failure Now an Option?”

Does the US Have the Will to Win?

Would that mob in Fallujah have dared treat the security men of Saddam the way they treated those Americans? Would they have danced and shouted, “Death to Saddam,” as they did “Death to Bush”? No way. For every one in those TV pictures and photos would now be in an Iraqi prison or dead. But … Continue reading “Does the US Have the Will to Win?”

Israel’s Isolation – and America’s

“Israel has a right to defend itself,” said President Bush. And against whom was Israel defending itself at dawn on Monday? A half blind and deaf paraplegic being wheeled out of a mosque after prayers, Sheik Ahmed Yassin was struck by missiles that blew him to pieces. In carrying out the assassination of the founder … Continue reading “Israel’s Isolation – and America’s”

The Consequences of Bush’s War

A year has elapsed since President Bush ordered U.S. forces to invade Iraq. Since that March day, 2003, it has become clear as crystal: Operation Iraqi Freedom was an unnecessary war. Saddam had had no role in 9-11 or the anthrax attack, no plans to attack us or to invade his neighbors. He was contained … Continue reading “The Consequences of Bush’s War”

Terrorists – and Freedom Fighters?

Between 1971 and 1973, he was commander of the Derry Brigade of the Provisional IRA, which fought gun battles with British soldiers in a war that would cost 320 lives. Arrested in Donegal near a car loaded with 5,000 rounds of ammunition and 250 pounds of explosives, he was sentenced to six months by a … Continue reading “Terrorists – and Freedom Fighters?”