The full text of the military investigation is now online. Bottom line: 6.- (S) I find that the intentional abuse of detainees by military police personnel included the following acts:a.- (S) Punching, slapping, and kicking detainees; jumping on their naked feet;b.–(S) Videotaping and photographing naked male and female detainees;c.- (S) Forcibly arranging detainees in various … Continue reading THE TAGUBA REPORT
A fascinating account of the personal hatred for Tony Blair that fueled the BBC’s campaign against the war to depose Saddam. This was a persopnal vendetta that deeply corrupted a news organization. Raines-level hysteria. Must-read. WHO IS MARILYN MUSGRAVE? It’s a question worth asking, and I’ve been doing some research into her work as a … Continue reading BEHIND THE BBC
There was some excuse for the anarchy that broke out immediately upon the liberation of Iraq. We didn’t want to look like an imperial power or an occupier; and some of the pent-up frustration after decades of tyranny was probably foolish to try and restrain. But a month later, those excuses are wearing thin. I’m … Continue reading CHAOS AND AMERICA
“I had some different reactions to Bush’s speech. I thought the setting for Bush’s speech was brilliant. The bright daylight illuminating the colorful flags and uniforms against the battleship grey was arresting. The soldiers’ anticipation as they waited silently for Bush’s entrance made their applause during the speech feel, to me, genuine and joyful, quite … Continue reading EMAIL OF THE DAY
I don’t understand why Time couldn’t manage to say it, but the Financial Times gets it right. This was George W. Bush’s year. Slowly building toward ridding the world of Saddam’s threat, shrewdly identifying North Korea, Iran and Iraq as an axis of evil, demanding democracy from the Palestinians, presiding over modest economic growth despite … Continue reading MAN OF THE YEAR
One indication might be her position on abortion. But a perusal of her record shows her to have voted for any type of abortion anywhere any time for anyone. She even supports partial birth abortion. Conservative Catholic? If you have any data supporting this assertion of hers, please let me know. I’ve put a call … Continue reading PELOSI AS CONSERVATIVE CATHOLIC
The argument that immediately surfaced in the media following the North Korean revelation about their nukes has been: See? Why shouldn’t we invade North Korea now? The Bushies are sooo inconsistent. They just want to invade Iraq for oil/empire/the hell of it/the mid-term elections, or fill in the latest Dowdian allegation. But the difference between … Continue reading NORTH KOREA AND IRAQ
Dreadful news today that the president may be wavering in his intent to destroy the Iraqi regime. If true, then those of us who have supported the war on terror need to revise our assessment of this president. He told the German press yesterday that there is no plan to invade on his desk. He … Continue reading IS BUSH SURRENDERING?
I was heartened but not surprised that the military has now lifted its ban on openly gay service members for the foreseeable future. When push comes to shove, we need everyone. They are not gay soldiers; they are American soldiers. In the same vein, the extraordinary Father Mychal Judge, the hero to the firefighters among … Continue reading IDENTITY POLITICS AND WAR
“The dove descending breaks the airWith flame of incandescent terrorOf which the tongues declareThe one discharge from sin and errorOur only hope, or else despairLies in the choice of pyre or pyre –To be redeemed from fire by fire.” – Little Gidding, T.S. Eliot, composed in 1941 and published in 1943. APPEASEMENT WATCH: “Where is … Continue reading SEPTEMBER 18 2001
