Democrats Take on Murtha

Hillary Clinton was quick to distance herself from Rep. John Murtha’s impassioned plea to get us out of Iraq: “The New York Democrat said she respects Rep. Jack Murtha, D-Pa., the Vietnam veteran and hawkish ex-Marine who last week called for an immediate troop pullout. But she added: ‘I think that would cause more problems … Continue reading “Democrats Take on Murtha”

CIA’s ‘Torture Taxi’ in the Spotlight

Ft. Benning, Ga. – Sitting in a Georgia motel Saturday night, Kathy Kelly talked through a bad phone connection and a worse head cold to recount the previous day’s activities, when she and 13 others were arrested at an airstrip outside Raleigh, N.C. The tiny Johnston County Airport is home to Aero Contractors Corp., a … Continue reading “CIA’s ‘Torture Taxi’ in the Spotlight”

Redeployment Is Not Withdrawal

There is much of which to approve in the recent speech of Rep. John P. Murtha, Democrat of Pennsylvania, on Iraq. The hawkish Murtha had been critical of the Bush administration’s handling of the war for some time, but until recently his solution had been to call for more troops. On Nov. 17, however, he … Continue reading “Redeployment Is Not Withdrawal”

Who’s the Boss?

Bush’s Asia tour swept through Beijing with much fanfare, but what can really be accomplished between the two figureheads of two huge and influential nations? Naturally, it will be up to the negotiators, diplomats, and private sector to follow up on the platitudes and build upon what is in effect the most important relationship of … Continue reading “Who’s the Boss?”

Iran Has Nuke Warheads! Not

A year ago, Colin Powell – then secretary of state – told reporters about new, scary intelligence on Iran. Something about Iran having a "nuke-capable" ballistic missile that could threaten "our allies." Several "U.S. officials" immediately said Powell shouldn’t have said anything; the intelligence was too sensitive. The New York Times reported last week that … Continue reading “Iran Has Nuke Warheads! Not”

Cheney: WMD Criticism ‘Dishonest and Reprehensible’

Amid growing pressure to begin withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq and mounting charges by Democrats that senior administration officials misled the nation into war there, Vice President Dick Cheney appears to have taken charge of defending his boss and taking on the critics. In his second public appearance in less than a week, Cheney told … Continue reading “Cheney: WMD Criticism ‘Dishonest and Reprehensible’”

Losing the Fear Factor

It’s finally Wizard of Oz time in America. You know – that moment when the curtains are pulled back, the fearsome-looking wizard wreathed in all that billowing smoke turns out to be some pitiful little guy, and everybody looks around sheepishly, wondering why they acted as they did for so long. Starting on Sept. 11, … Continue reading “Losing the Fear Factor”

Peace Too Important to Be Left to Pols and Pundits

This week began with the New York Times noting that “all of Washington is consumed with debate over the direction of the war in Iraq.” The debate – long overdue – is a serious blow to the war makers in Washington, but the U.S. war effort will go on for years more unless the antiwar … Continue reading “Peace Too Important to Be Left to Pols and Pundits”