Dereliction of Duty

The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence has concluded that the “key assessments” in the National Intelligence Estimate – which was the basis for the “Congressional Joint Resolution to Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq” – were “not supported by the underlying intelligence.” Hence, the Committee has essentially accused Director of Central … Continue reading “Dereliction of Duty”

Fourth Generation War In the Sudan

The international goo-goos (Tammany Hall’s old name for the “good government” types) need their humanitarian crise du jour, and the Sudan currently fills the bill. The usual celebrities are wringing their hands and we are all supposed to care, deeply. The realist replies, “Yeah, that’s life in the global village,” but realism is out of … Continue reading “Fourth Generation War In the Sudan”

US, Israel Against the World on Wall

UNITED NATIONS – Lobbying has shifted into high gear on a resolution to be brought before the UN General Assembly on Friday that will call on Israel to tear down a wall it is building around the West Bank and pay reparations to affected Palestinians. The motion will be introduced in an emergency session called … Continue reading “US, Israel Against the World on Wall”

Role Reversal: A Response to Readers

In my June 29, 2004, column, “Role Reversal,” I pointed out that now it is the Republicans who argue that government can be trusted with any amount of power in the name of the “war on terror.” I quoted from Al Gore’s speech at Georgetown University Law Center, in which Gore argued that the “war … Continue reading “Role Reversal: A Response to Readers”

PATRIOT Act Foes Lose Book Battle

Members of the book industry and civil liberties advocates are scratching their heads over why House Republican leaders decided to bully their way out of passing a bipartisan piece of legislation intended to secure the rights of due process and privacy of library patrons and bookstore customers. “It should make people ask, what are they … Continue reading “PATRIOT Act Foes Lose Book Battle”

‘Homeland Security’ Beyond US Borders

TORONTO – In the novel 1984, George Orwell depicts a world where powerful and secretive authorities – “Big Brother” – scrutinize the intimate details of citizens’ personal lives. That fiction may be closer to reality than most people think. Earlier this month, for instance, CNN reported that police officers across the United States are carrying … Continue reading “‘Homeland Security’ Beyond US Borders”

Plenty of Blood, No Foul

Key intelligence used to justify war with Iraq has now been shown to be unreliable, concludes Lord Butler in the British government’s report about the misinformation that caused a pointless war. Nevertheless, says Lord Butler, there is no one to blame for the thousands of deaths, the massive destruction, and subsequent creation of a new … Continue reading “Plenty of Blood, No Foul”

Bush’s Twisted Idea of ‘Safer’

President Bush gave a speech on Tuesday in which he made specific claims about how the United States is safer as a result of his military action. I dispute assertions about particular Middle Eastern or South Asian countries. Bush: “The world is changing for the better because of American leadership. America is safer today because … Continue reading “Bush’s Twisted Idea of ‘Safer’”