From an essay in Christianity Today:
The Jewish Hanukkah story is one of triumph over a culture that wanted to force the Jews to assimilate against their will. The Christian Hanukkah story is one that starts with Jesus asking provocative questions, but retreating rather than forcing the issue.
To insist that non-Christians say "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays" runs against the lessons of both Hanukkah stories.
"I don’t care how uncomfortable or terrifying waterboarding may be to the few who deserve it. It’s non-lethal, doesn’t bruise the skin, break the bones, starve the tummy, or stretch the skeleton — yet it can open sealed lips," – pro-war blogger, Laer, at "Cheat-Seeking Missiles."
Notice how torture is defended as something some terror suspects deserve. And notice no awareness that torture can open sealed lips to give us false information. The point of torture is always torture.
My attempt to make sense of where we are in the war on terror – a slightly more rational place than we were two years ago – is here. One reason for very chastened and provisional hope is the astonishing professionalism, humanity and sacrifice of so many troops. Here’s the war-blog of one such individual, making a difference – moral and tactical – in a hell-hole.
A reader writes:
I’m an administrator at a small private high school just outside Washington, DC. I was recently observing a 12th grade Government class having a seminar. The topic under discussion was the Bush doctrine of pre-emption. The teacher, as he sometimes does, began this particular discussion by laying out the pro-preemption point of view (I happen to know this teacher’s politics lean liberal, and I have always been impressed that the students in his seminar have no clue where he really stands politically; he wants then to form their own opinions).
The students discussed the alternatives to preemptive strikes and invasions. They came up with many, from the plausible to the naive. My favorite comment came from a student known for having fairly conservative views:
“Man, the Bush doctrine,” he said, “that’s just lazy.”
Hadn’t thought of it quite that simply before. Couldn’t really rebut it, in retrospect.
Applies to torture, as well. Lazy and stupid.
Greenwald notices a January 2006 quote from Clinton that will not likely endear her to the base, especially in the wake of the Iran NIE this week:
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) accused the Bush administration of playing down the threat of a nuclear Iran and called for swift action at the United Nations to impose sanctions on the Iranian government.
The senator’s statements, in which she said the administration should make it clear that all options remain on the table for dealing with the Iranians, came during a speech about the Middle East on Wednesday night at Princeton University. She criticized the White House for turning the problem over to European nations and said Iran must never be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons.
"I believe we lost critical time in dealing with Iran because the White House chose to downplay the threats and to outsource the negotiations," Clinton said. "I don’t believe you face threats like Iran or North Korea by outsourcing it to others and standing on the sidelines."
It’s Schadenfreude time for the pundit-haters.
Ambers has a nuanced take on the Dumond case.
The buzz is building in the Granite State. Money quote:
"I’m not just talking about the tinfoil hat people either. People are f*cking pissed at the party!"
But the latest poll shows McCain in second place now, ahead of Giuliani, and Paul still around 8 percent, despite amazing fund-raising success recently. A lot will depend on the Dems, I’d say. If Obama wins Iowa – a big if – many Independents may flock to the Democratic primary to vote for him against Her Majesty, hurting McCain. But Paul’s supporters are total loyalists, unlikely to switch to a Dem. In a wide-open field full of anger, that will matter.
Make your own mind up. Danny, like most Europeans, is incredulous. Huckabee is getting touchier about being asked about it. Too bad. You helped make this party; you can lie in it.
That’s in Rasmussen. And Clinton keeps falling. The GOP race is amazing: a total free-for-all, with almost all of the leaders sliding, Huckabee surging and Paul chugging along menacingly behind.
