Month: April 2007

The Chinese have long ben the main stumbling block to any international pressure on Sudan over Darfur – because they are the main trading partner of the Sudanese. But now, it appears, Beijing may be adjusting a little, and may exert real pressure on Sudan for U.N. peace-keeping forces. We’ll see if the move pans out. But it’s encouraging.

One small question about his take on the British naval hostages: what does John Bolton actually suggest that the Brits should have done? Gone to war? It seems to me that any critic of the recent fiasco needs to construct a viable, alternative policy in order to be taken seriously. Which would exclude Bolton.

An insight into a true believer:

So as a Romney fan, I continue to casually float an early Thompson-Romney ticket. Solves Fred Thompson’s initial money and organization problems. They can get Rudy to be their secretary of Defense. John McCain as ambassador to Iraq (by putting someone of his stature there we emphasize how important we think it is to help Iraq succeed). John Bolton as secretary of State. Pat Toomey for Treasury. Santorum as DOJ. (Yes, I did those last two together on purpose. Permanently make peace over Pennsylvania on the Right.)

I’m thinking on HHS. Who would be PERFECT? I’m coming up with some fun ones, including Phyllis Schlafy. And, of course, Ponnuru for SCOTUS.

A hokey but well-crafted ad about what America has historically stood for: freedom of religion and freedom from religion if necessary. That means Islam and Christianity, not Islamism and Christianism. It’s the only viable future for a diverse society, as the founders understood. But their vision is under threat from Islamists and Christianists. And the great task of the next generation will be to protect the constitution from both.

Why is "This Is Why I’m Hot" such a hot single? A textual and scientific analysis.

We have a problem of over-exploiting the oceans. China is a big part of the problem. What to do? Here’s an online debate about consumer tactics and strategy.

How to make a pancake, deploying the tools and methods for using heroin. Not advisable for recovering addicts.

A Colbertian bow toward the Human Rights Campaign whose attempt to increase awareness and tolerance of gay students at historically black colleges is one project well worth funding and supporting. Alas, the intense homophobia of much African-American culture is a major obstacle.

Jesus, have a can of coke.

Andy Bacevich states the obvious, which is why he must be gainsaid by Cliff May. (Note to self: What has happened to Cliff? He seems to think that we should base our strategy on Zarqawi, not self-interest.) Fred Kaplan outlines two realistic, but tough goals for the next president in finding a way forward. I’m still prepared to hope for something from the surge, but it’s unhinged to expect Petraeus to turn an entire civil war around by September. We may have to reconcile ourselves to the fact that this president and vice-president would rather leave office with a foreign policy catastrophe than admit they have been wrong. They are strapping themselves into the exit-pod, while they send the space-ship GOP into electoral oblivion. Giuliani and McCain may want the 2008 election to be framed around the question: do you want defeat in Iraq or victory? But the question may be moot by then, if it isn’t already. And so may the Republican party.