Don’t Believe the Hype

Assistant Secretary of State Lorne Craner is headed to Xinjiang after a couple of "very productive" days chatting with Chinese Human Rights counterparts. Craner plans on investigating alleged reports of abuse and oppression by Chinese authorities following the US announcement that the East Turkestan Islamic Movement was a band of no-good terrorists (possibly) funded by … Continue reading “Don’t Believe the Hype”

9/11 – WHO KNEW?

Just another boring PBS "Newshour," the droning voices of predictably safe panelists putting us to sleep, when, all at once, we are jolted wide awake: GWEN IFILL: "Senator Graham, are there elements in this report, which are classified that Americans should know about but can’t?" SEN. BOB GRAHAM: "Yes, going back to your question about … Continue reading “9/11 – WHO KNEW?”

What Does Regime Change in Iraq Really Mean?

The buzzwords in Washington concerning Iraq these days are "regime change," which in a sense is surprisingly honest. It means the upcoming Gulf War II will not be about protecting Kuwait or stemming Iraqi aggression. The pretenses have been discarded, and now we’ve simply decided Saddam must go. We seem to have very little idea, … Continue reading “What Does Regime Change in Iraq Really Mean?”

Pacifist, Passive or Realistic?

Interesting. I got more nasty comments about last week’s piece about the un-American way the government has wanted to treat accused terrorists like Jose Padillla or whatever it is that he wants to call himself. I started to do a collective response, but it grew, so here’s more than you might want to digest on … Continue reading “Pacifist, Passive or Realistic?”

ON THE DOWNLOW

A group of pro-Israel political consultants, the Israel Project, is telling partisans of the Jewish state to kindly shut up about their fulsome support for Gulf War II – lest they give the show away. A memo entitled "Talking About Iraq," directed at American Jewish leaders, as well as Israelis, advises: "Let American politicians fight … Continue reading “ON THE DOWNLOW”

Democratic Destruction

Hardly a day goes by in the southwestern corner of Europe without local authorities and their foreign minders repeating their worn platitudes about the importance of democracy and social engineering, and the need for more of both. Yet the lives of the people they are supposed to be serving and protecting continue to get progressively … Continue reading “Democratic Destruction”

A Much Admired Country

After the Heritage Foundation gave Lady Thatcher their Clare Boothe Luce award – presented by Vice President Cheney – the Iron Lady defied doctor’s orders, and made a little speech. She warned us that we face the ‘twin headed monster’ of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, and moreover she praised her successor, as Prime … Continue reading “A Much Admired Country”

A Slight Detour on the Road to a Police State

It is rare that we get anything even resembling good news on the ongoing effects on American liberties of the undeclared and amorphous but still useful (to some) war on terror. And in fact this is not unalloyed good news. Still, it’s worth noting and issuing a modest cheer or two. Last week U.S. District … Continue reading “A Slight Detour on the Road to a Police State”

BY WAY OF DECEPTION

The Israelis are riding high, these days – but not, perhaps, for long. Ever since 9/11, the Israeli government and its American amen corner have been making the point that Israel’s fight is now America’s fight, and this argument has met with some success. A recent article in Ha’aretz notes that Israel is winning the … Continue reading “BY WAY OF DECEPTION”