Note: Each block of text actually is a link to a story or a web page that I am commenting on. Click on that text and it will take you to the page being referred to.
Once more I have found some gems for thought and fodder for the old brain. Of course, you are welcome to your own opinion and to disagree with whatever commentary I make. In fact, I encourage you to do so and to tell me why either here, or on my Facebook Page … and don’t be bashful … I don’t bite.
I read this article and I was stunned by its hubris. You see, everybody faults the United States for going into countries and then failing to do (you fill in the blank here). It doesn't matter whether the critic is a progressive or a conservative, foreign or domestic, it is always the same ... it is the Americans' fault. Hello, people, don't the indigenous people have a say in the success or failure of anything in their country? The US comes in, for whatever reason - but usually in its own self-interest, with those all concerned about the morality of wars and whether they are just or not claiming all sorts of justifications. Well, I figured out a long time ago - like back in the 1960s - that war is amoral. It merely is the slaughter of people on an industrial scale. Wars are not fought for morality, but more mundane reasons like political ideology, religious ideology or economics and always in the self-interest of the nation state fighting in the war. You don't like that analysis ... then get over it and face reality … oh, and yes, wars sometimes need to be fought.
I love the world of conspiracies ... and this one probably is as portrayed .... for it makes imminent sense give the proclivities and apparent objections of Mr. Putin.
Every conflict is a learning situation and the Ukraine is no different ... and some of America's finest are not only passing on their knowledge based on tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, but learning from the Ukrainians who have fought their own battles in the eastern third of their country ... so many ironies here.
Actually, I think this author is being overly optimistic as to the ability of the Iran Deal to rein in Iran. But he said, there is no alternative short of war ... and that dichotomy is false ... there always were and still are the sanctions. The US capitulated on them ... and he is worried about demanding the Iranians capitulate on anything. I am not sure I accept that.
But then again ... the military option is there ... but I doubt there is any credibility behind any threats to us it.
And an interesting commentary on "what if Iran cheats" ... so what.
And then there is Paul Greenburg's take on the deal ... sleep on it America, and then think again.
And then there is a role for North Korea ... and it surprises me that fewer people are not making this connection.
EL NINO TO BE STRONGEST ON RECORD ... ok, everybody panic now ... until you stop and understand that the record only goes back to 1950 .... and El Ninos happen every four to five years ... GASP, THE WORLD IS COMING TO AN END ... no, folks, it isn't. Yes, Climate Change is real ... only it happens whether or not humans are in the equation or not.
Oh what a nightmare it is to be a police officer these days. If the testimony is correct, it sounds like "suicide by cop" ... I am not saying it is, but I have seen it happen more than once and have known at least one person who was considering it (he didn't do it, but it was in his mind)
Interesting, but Mr. Elder is correct ... the "media" really show very selective concern about victims of crime and police victims
This report is a bit scary ... a plot to attack the Queen this Saturday during ceremonies marking Japan's surrender in WWII
This story appears on multiple news sites: Does it come as any surprise to anyone? It is like the suspect handing over a murder weapon after they have changed the barrel and thoroughly cleaned the rest of the weapon of all trace residue and finger prints.
Sorry, Fidel, but the US owes you Jack Poop ... except for the money kept in escrow for the lease of Guantanamo.
Swedes drop charges against Assange ... not because of lack of evidence, but because the statute of limitations ran out ... you know that quirky little thing in most laws that says after so many years, you can't prosecute someone on an old charge.
There is an old saying in the military that you can do just about anything to a soldier, just don't mess with his food ... I saw a mutiny once because my unit's food was being messed with and we weren't getting what we were supposed to.
The premise of this article is that Israel's withdrawal has been successful ... sort of ... well, the solution to the West Bank ... or at least one of them, is to turn control over to the Jordanians ... but neither the Jordanians or the Palestinians are going to buy that.
Interesting perspective on the candidacy of Donald Trump ... food for thought ... although at first blush, I find much to agree with.
I wonder how much this silliness has to go on before people begin to perceive really how stupid it is ... Even Lincoln liked the word Dixie ... and the song, so much so that he requested it be played at a White House event shortly after Lee's surrender (mind you that there were other Confederate armies still in the field and had yet to surrender)
This article in the Economist highlights the hazards of what China is doing in the East and South China seas
Legally, to me, the decision makes sense ... since the state has abolished capital punishment.
In my humble opinion, Hillary Clinton should be prosecuted. Gen. David Patreaus was for exactly the same crime ... but I don't expect it to happen in today's currently politicized Justice Department.
And explanation on why Hillary's e-mail server and its e-mails were such an egregious violation of the law.
Another example of the rule of law under the Obama Administration being kicked into the bit bucket to forward a policy end of the Administration.
Watch this if you can stomach it
A reminder that not only racism is alive and well in the US but so is anti-Semitism
George Will pulls no punches as he takes on The Donald.
Another story on the North Korean nuclear program ... but that is the problem ... you can't tell if the the work is for peaceful use or more bombs.
I sometimes think Emperor Obama wishes he could be more like Emperor Kim and execute more of his dissenters.
Now the focus shifts to Democratic Sen. Cardin on the question whether the Senate will come up with a veto proof majority to disapprove the Iran Deal.
The question here will be how much true federalism will the progressives and President Obama allow ... even if everything the state's do are absolutely correct and within their powers.
I don't know which side is right in this battle of data points ... but it illustrates that statistics can and are abused to bolster any side's political agenda.
Another example of human hubris ... well, I suppose that we all need to don our sackcloth and live in collective housing and all drive the same electric vehicle (I wonder if they all will have to be the same color) and watch all the birds either get roasted by solar collectors or chopped up in windmills.
I don't know if this is good or bad, but appears that the New York Times is taking the candidacy of Carly Fiorina seriously. Well, I am glad, because I think we should seriously listen to what she has to say and to seriously consider voting for her if her positions are satisfying to us as individuals.
Dr. Carson is another candidate who merits a good and long hard look.
Not being a fan of Jon Stewart, I am not sure this makes me more favorable to the Palestinians cause. I would make one point is that there never has been a "nation" known as Palestine ... but there is and was one called Israel. Secondly, the day that the Palestinians accept the right of the Israelis to live in peace and stop all attacks on Israel, permanently, then I will consider their arguments.
This commentary condemning Europe on its policy toward the mass migration of refugees ignores, to me at least, one very important fact: Why are these people refugees and why is it the Europeans' responsibility to take them in?
As I said earlier ... when the enemies of Israel cease their genocidal rhetoric and lay down their arms, then I will consider telling Israel it should stand down.
This commentary is so full of false statements, it is almost ludicrous. Still, the comment above holds ... unfortunately, sometimes I think my President doesn't always get that meme.
No comments:
Post a Comment