“This “war against terrorism” is in fact an open declaration of war against the peoples of the developing world; initially the peoples of the Middle East and Africa, and ultimately the peoples of South and Central America and the Caribbean, all Asia, the South Pacific and the islands of the Seas – – some four-fifths … Continue reading SONTAG AWARD NOMINEE
Fascinating little article in the Early America Review about Thomas Jefferson’s response to terrorism and piracy in the Middle East in the early nineteenth century. It looks a lot like George W. Bush’s. Notice particularly how the Europeans and British were more content to pay tribute and bribes to Barbary Coast pirates and murderers than … Continue reading JEFFERSON VERSUS TERRORISM
When I mentioned a while back that the New York City firemen’s friar, Mychal Judge, was a gay man, some of you asked me for evidence. Here’s a poignant piece on the man, partly prompted by my posting about him a while back, in the current New York Magazine. Prepare to be surprised and inspired. … Continue reading FATHER MYCHAL JUDGE
Here’s an essay you would never read in a major American newspaper (except perhaps the Wall Street Journal). It’s published in the left-wing magazine, New Statesman, which makes it all the more remarkable. It’s by Peter Watson, who recently wrote a book, “The Modern Mind: An Intellectual History of the Twentieth Century.” For the book, … Continue reading THE SUPERIORITY OF THE WEST?
In the English town of Luton, the call to Jihad is real and strong, especially among some of the young. This report from the Times of London is deeply chilling. Here’s Mohammed Abdullah, a 22-year-old accountant, in his own words: “There are people leaving all the time. Not just in Luton, but all over Britain. … Continue reading SOME BRITISH MUSLIMS LEAVE FOR WAR
The media was full of panic stories over the weekend. We’re losing! Bin Laden is still alive! Abdul Haq was killed! Quagmire! The usual panic-mongers – poor Maureen needs a vacation – are having cows. The cynics, like Frank Rich in Saturday’s Times, can’t wait to get back to lambasting the president for his corporate … Continue reading STEADY NERVES NEEDED
A simple question. What does my birthplace (England), sex-life (gay and active), or the medications I take for HIV (testosterone replacement therapy) have to do with my views on this war? Last time I checked, nothing. Still, David Talbot takes me to task on these grounds in Salon. Since it’s twenty years since I graduated … Continue reading TALBOT’S JIHAD
I guess we’ve all been having some nervous attacks about this war. My own amount to a nagging fear that the administration is not as serious as it says it is and that Americans may get faint-hearted when the going gets tougher. The president’s constant reiteration of the importance of this war and his crystal-clear … Continue reading THE BEST ANTIDOTE
“Patriotism opposes the lone representative of democracy who was brave enough to vote her conscience instead of following an angry mob. (Several others have confessed they wanted to vote the same way, but chickened out.) Patriotism threatens free speech with death. It is infuriated by thoughtful hesitation, constructive criticism of our leaders and pleas for … Continue reading PATRIOTISM DEFINED
So fitting that Mark Bingham should have had Senator John McCain at his private memorial service. And quite typical that the Senator was glad to be there. Bingham was a Republican, gay and a hero who supported McCain’s campaign early on. For McCain to point out how much Mark did to save this country from … Continue reading FAREWELL, MARK
