My own personal musings, wonderings, thoughts, and results of personal studies. Also, occasional comments on world events.

 

I couldn't get to sleep last night. On top of that, my headache is much worse than normal today. There may be some posting this evening, but I'm not making any promises.
posted by jeffrey at Wednesday, August 27, 2003

 

I've been looking for stuff to talk about, I just can't seem to find anything. Maybe more later.
posted by jeffrey at Tuesday, August 26, 2003

 

Irwin Stelzer thinks he knows how to fix the electric grid:

We will never eliminate the possibility of human error or equipment failure. But we can reduce both the frequency of such events and their consequences. All we have to do is surrender some due process protections, replace local with federal control of where transmission towers and lines may be sited, and add several billions to our electric bills.

I really don't know what to say to this.
posted by jeffrey at Tuesday, August 26, 2003

 

That's the basic gist of this column by Rachel Ehrenfeld. Here's one of her illustrations:

It takes an expert like Isaac Yeffet, the former El Al airline-security chief, to highlight the depth of U.S. airport-security problems. Recently, while traveling in the U.S., Yeffet was randomly chosen for special screening. After the security agent had swept his body with a hand-held metal-detecting wand and declared him "clean," Yeffet pulled a cell phone from his pocket — to the agent's amazement. A second screening also detected nothing. At this point, Yeffet suggested that, if the screener were to turn the device on, he might be able to detect suspicious objects. Needless to say, the agent was unsettled, but Yeffet was even more upset. "How many similar incidents happen every day in our airports?" he asks.

Unfortunately, this joke isn't very funny.
posted by jeffrey at Tuesday, August 26, 2003

 

When I heard about Lugar's idea to dispatch troops to control the violence in Israel, my initial thought was, "Why not just get out of the Israeli's way?" But before I even got a chance to post my thoughts, John Hawkins posted pretty much what I was thinking.
posted by jeffrey at Monday, August 25, 2003

 

Lucent has just won a big contract to restore phone service in Baghdad. I hope they hurry. Our goal is to create a modern democratic country in Iraq. If that's going to happen, the Iraqis are going to have to have a modern communications network.
posted by jeffrey at Monday, August 25, 2003

 

Fidel Castro isn't very happy with us. (Still.) At the moment, he's concerned with the U.S. governments television and radio broadcasts directed at his country.

President Fidel Castro predicted that a new U.S. government attempt to use a satellite to broadcast news and talk shows hosted by exile leaders will fail.

Cuba calls the broadcasts by TV Marti an attempt by the U.S. government and Cuban exiles to impose their political views.

He says we're trying to "impose [our] political views" by putting them broadcasting them on television? This must be some new definition of the word "impose" that I was not previously aware of.

Of course, redefining twisted redefinitions of words is one of the hallmarks of a communist government.

posted by jeffrey at Monday, August 25, 2003

 

Bryan Preston has the scoop.
posted by jeffrey at Monday, August 25, 2003

 

There's good news, and there's bad news. The good news is we may know where Iraq's WMDs are. That's also the bad news.

U.S. intelligence suspects Iraq's weapons of mass destruction have finally been located.

Unfortunately, getting to them will be nearly impossible for the United States and its allies, because the containers with the strategic materials are not in Iraq.

Instead they are located in Lebanon's heavily-fortified Bekaa Valley, swarming with Iranian and Syrian forces, and Hizbullah and ex-Iraqi agents, Geostrategy-Direct.com will report in Wednesday's new weekly edition.

Isn't that lovely? Now here's the part that really hacks me off:

U.S. intelligence first identified a stream of tractor-trailer trucks moving from Iraq to Syria to Lebaon in January 2003. The significance of this sighting did not register on the CIA at the time. (Emphasis added.)

EXCUSE ME!!! How could they not have thought of this at the time? How did that happen? Wouldn't you think that would be the obvious conclusion?

What on earth is wrong with these people?
posted by jeffrey at Monday, August 25, 2003

 

In the hope that DNA research will eventually reach the point that they can be properly identified, all the unidentified remains are going to be placed in Ground Zero memorial.

I don't know if this is a good idea or not. On the one hand, preserving the remains gives the hope of more complete closure at some point in the future, but on the other this seems like an awfully morbid move. I just don't know.
posted by jeffrey at Monday, August 25, 2003

 

Another day, another lawsuit.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Supporters asked a federal court Monday to block the removal of a Ten Commandments monument (search) from the Alabama Judicial Building while the judge who put the marker there said he's up against those who "are offended at looking at God's words."

People, people, please stop now. It's time to end this while everyone still has some semblance of dignity left. Check that, it's too late for that. Regardless, the issues been decided. It's time to stop beating a dead horse.
posted by jeffrey at Monday, August 25, 2003

 

Jared at Exultate Justi has some thoughts on Justice Moore worth reading. Here's his conclusion:

The bottom line is this: I agree with Justice Moore that there is no legitimate reason to remove a display of the Ten Commandments from the gounds of a governmental building. Our nation's foundations are utterly religious, and it is patently ridiculous to assert that the Framers ever intended to found a government free from any religious influence or reference. However, when the courts rule in such a way as to subvert our beliefs or opinions, we have been provided with a means of remonstrance - the ballot. I would prefer to see those who are currently flailing away on the side of Justice Moore's protest spend their energies on efforts to elect leaders who share their beliefs, and will nominate judges who do, as well. We, as conservative Christians would be far more well-served by fighting the efforts of the Left to submarine President Bush's judicial nominations than we are by aligning ourselves with an effort that so apparently carries the odor of a publicity stunt.

posted by jeffrey at Monday, August 25, 2003

 

John Hawkins has posted his questionaire results on the 20 worst figures of the 20th Century.

When I saw the list, I realized that I had forgotten to vote for the Rosenbergs. Also, I chose not to vote for bin Laden because while he is a horrible man, he was really only small time during the 20th Century.
posted by jeffrey at Monday, August 25, 2003

 

I've heard several people say that those fighting to keep the 10 Commandments monument in that Alabama courthouse are fighting the wrong battle and wasting resourcs. (I've even said it myself.) Now, John Derbyshire argues that liberals have also chosen the wrong battle.
posted by jeffrey at Monday, August 25, 2003

 

Only this time Ledeen isn't talking about Iran. This time he's calling for American spy masters and diplomats to open their eyes faster. Like, before it's too late.

Reading Ledeen isn't likely to make an optimist out of you.
posted by jeffrey at Monday, August 25, 2003

 

Not!

That's just one of many misconceptions people have about Satan. Satan tempts us, but he can't actually force us to sin. David Heddle has a very interesting essay about angels and Satan in which he addresses many misconceptions.

One of the things he points out is that while man has most often portrayed Satan as being in a battle with God for our souls, that this is not accurate. The truth, Heddle says, is that Satan wants to diminish God's glory. He doesn't really care about our souls per se; our souls are just the means Satan uses to attack God's glory.

I think this is an important point, but it's not one I'd really thought about before. It did get me thinking though. What, I wonder, makes us believe that Satan is after us when the truth is that Satan only cares about us in as much as our souls are a means of attacking God's glory? Is it possible that this misconception is part of a subtle attack by Satan against God's glory? Is he puffing us up? Is he trying to convince us that we are more important than we really are? Is this pride in our own importance something we've done all on our own, or is it just one more avenue of attack by Satan?

I don't know, but it's something worth considering.
posted by jeffrey at Monday, August 25, 2003

 

You'll never guess!
posted by jeffrey at Sunday, August 24, 2003

 

Well, not quite, but the New York Times is reporting that the US government is setting up a police academy for Iraqi recruits in Hungary. It's probably a good idea.

I did notice one thing about this story. It's the next to last sentence:

He said said that although he would be returning to the United States, he expected to be engaged for some time in helping his successors.

[sarcasm]And I thought the primary difference between "Big Media" and blogs was the editing staff.[/sarcasm]
posted by jeffrey at Sunday, August 24, 2003

 

... and like wow! (Via Cold Fury and LGF)

It will never happen, but WOW!
posted by jeffrey at Sunday, August 24, 2003

 

An autistic boy died during a prayer service. I just have no way of knowing what to make of this.
posted by jeffrey at Sunday, August 24, 2003

 

This column might do it.
posted by jeffrey at Sunday, August 24, 2003

 

For those who are both politically and religiously conservative, the brouhaha in Alabama is likely to produce a variety of conflicting emotions. David Limbaugh seems to have navigated the various danger pretty well. His conclusion is worth repeating:

The federal courts have greatly eroded states rights and religious freedoms through renegade decisions in the most cynical tradition of judicial activism. So while our federal law is certainly entitled to supremacy, at what point do citizens stand up and say that federal courts have claimed supremacy in areas over which they were never given authority? What can be done about their obscene misinterpretations of the Constitution?

Congress could selectively limit the Court's jurisdiction. And, we should fight for constitutionalist federal judges with the courage to preserve our religious liberties. In the meantime, we should honor the Court's rulings.

posted by jeffrey at Sunday, August 24, 2003

 

Jack Rich has this to say to the people of Virginia:

My advice to my former state-mates, now that I've moved out: Watch out, here comes some misery in the form of higher taxes, likely all gussied up with some pretty labels having no bearing on the truth. That truth being, state governments, like most other governments, just love to separate you from your money and call it progress.

Indeed. ¹

¹The use of the phrase "Indeed" should not be construed to mean that I am taking sides in the Blog War.^TM
posted by jeffrey at Sunday, August 24, 2003

 

Finding a story like this on Google News. How intelligent do you have to be to know that a web site called "Jihad Unspun" isn't a legitimate news outlet?
posted by jeffrey at Sunday, August 24, 2003

 

I just found a story about baptisms in Iraq.
posted by jeffrey at Sunday, August 24, 2003

 

Here's a story about how modern forensic science is causing some problems for Iraqis.
posted by jeffrey at Sunday, August 24, 2003

 

As you've probably noticed, I've put up the news box from the GeorgeWBush.com site. I've got to say that I'm a little unhappy with it at the moment. The current top headline says, "Oregon supports President Bush." However, if you follow the link, you find a speech by President Bush in Oregon. He does thank people for their fundraising support and mentions record-breaking numbers. He also thanks a lot of people for their support. However, I don't find anything that supports the statement made in the headline.

When I saw the link, I assumed I was going to see poll numbers or some other kind of evidence that a majority of people in Oregon supported President Bush's re-election. I found nothing of the kind. I'm very annoyed at the moment. If this keeps up, I may have to take it back down.

Update - I should note that I've received an e-mail from the web site addressing this issue. I think they're taking care of things adequately for the moment. In retrospect I realize that this post was probably a bit of an over-reaction. I have no current plans to drop the news feed.
posted by jeffrey at Sunday, August 24, 2003

 

Dale Amon reminds us of some terrorism related stories that seemed to have slipped through the cracks.
posted by jeffrey at Sunday, August 24, 2003

 

Bobby Bonds has died.
posted by jeffrey at Sunday, August 24, 2003

 

So not enough people voting in your elections? What should you do? Let non-citizens vote of course! His Royal Imperial Highness has the goods.
posted by jeffrey at Sunday, August 24, 2003

 

Well someone please tell me why so much of the world accepts as an article of faith that it's the US's responsibility to end the warfare in Israel.
posted by jeffrey at Saturday, August 23, 2003

 

I'm always worried when I click on a Guardian link, but this article by Latif Rashid, an Iraqi Kurd, seems quite reasonable.
posted by jeffrey at Saturday, August 23, 2003

 

They're friends again!
posted by jeffrey at Saturday, August 23, 2003

 

If you're looking for a more detailed look at how the Equal Time rules affect the Florida election, I think you'll find this Michael Dorf column worthwhile.
posted by jeffrey at Saturday, August 23, 2003

 

Those of us who enjoy Eugene Volokh's writing in the blogosphere, shouldn't be surprised to find that he has other fans as well.
posted by jeffrey at Saturday, August 23, 2003

 

... to appeasement. Here's a slightly humorous, but very pointed post on that subject by Bjørn Stærk.
posted by jeffrey at Saturday, August 23, 2003

 

Jack Rich has an interesting look at Just War theory as it relates to nuclear weapons. He concludes that under some circumstances, the US would be justified to use nuclear devices against terrorists.
posted by jeffrey at Saturday, August 23, 2003

 

Frank J has put out what is probably his best "In My World" yet.
posted by jeffrey at Saturday, August 23, 2003

 

You've got to watch this.
posted by jeffrey at Saturday, August 23, 2003

 

I'd have trouble arguing with this letter to the editor.
posted by jeffrey at Saturday, August 23, 2003

 

As if the "peace process" wasn't in enough trouble, we now have this:

Arafat asks Europe to help save peace process

Yeah, that will help.
posted by jeffrey at Saturday, August 23, 2003

 

David Carr has a great piece about Bush taking advantage of being hated.

I'm not going to pull any quotes because it's all good. I suggest you read Carr's piece before reading the rest of this post.

If I understand Carr's premise, he's basically saying, "Hey, they already think you're Satan. You might as well do what you want to do. I think it's a great point.

For as long as I can remember, conservatives have been afraid to say and do what they really think. The reason for this seemed to be that they wanted everyone to think they were nice and kissed puppies. Therefore, every time a liberal accuses a conservative of doing anything mean, rude, or insensitive, the conservative drops everything and panders like crazy to try to convince the liberal that he's really a nice guy.

One of the many flaws with this approach is that history shows that you'll never be able to convince a liberal that you're a nice guy. Most modern liberals only know two sins: insensitivity and conservatism. ¹ That's it. And those two are generally considered to be synonyms. Consequently, there is almost no chance of convincing liberals you don't drink puppies for breakfast. (Unless, of course, you become a liberal.)

If you plan on being a conservative in America, you just need to get used to the fact that a certain percentage of the population believes you're Satan. The only way to change that is to abandon your beliefs and adopt theirs. There is nothing you can do to change this.

Consequently, you might as well do what you think is right and ignore the people who want to burn you in effigy. (And especially those who would prefer to leave "in effigy" out of that sentence.) It probably won't change anything. It really doesn't matter if the people who think you're Satan decide you're really Satan-squared. Those who don't think you're Satan are going to make their decision based on whether or not they think you did the right thing. The best way to please those people is to do what you believe is the right thing.

¹Some liberals have come to acknowledge being a Christian as the third sin.
posted by jeffrey at Saturday, August 23, 2003

 

... to equal time. So says Martin Devon. He's upset that CBS cut a parody of Arnold Schwarzenegger from Craig Kilborn's show.

Apparently we've reached a point where the hassle of litigation is so onerous, and the law is so unclear that a network would rather cut a funny political bit then risk legal hassles. I find this appalling.

The supreme court has ruled that all sorts of dubious and obscene material (ask Larry Flynt) is protected by the first amendment just to ensure that there is no "chilling effect" on free speech. Well, these supposedly goo-goo campaign laws are clearly having a chilling effect on political satire, and political speech is at the heart of the first amendment. The equal time law should be ruled unconstitutional.

I've always found the equal time law to be morally and legally dubious. I wouldn't shed any tears if it was struck down.
posted by jeffrey at Saturday, August 23, 2003

 

Imagine being in a Texas hospital recovering from surgery, only to find out that you're also apparently being held hostage in Iraq.
posted by jeffrey at Saturday, August 23, 2003

 

That was my Dad's response to this headline:

Palestinian Officials Say Crackdown Against Militants on Hold

Yeah, I'd say it's on hold. It's been on hold since about 1993. As soon as the PA was given the responsibility to prevent terrorists, they've taken a, "We'll get around to it someday," approach.

Palestinian officials say they have put on hold plans to crack down on militants after Israeli forces killed a Hamas leader in response to a suicide bombing in Jerusalem earlier this week.

Palestinian security officials say Thursday's targetted killing of Abu Shanab took place just as they were about to launch a campaign to arrest militants and confiscate weapons. They say the effort was aimed at disarming Hamas and Islamic Jihad - the two groups who claimed responsibility for the Jerusalem attack that killed 20 people.

Funny, I would think it would be easier, not harder, to disarm people Hamas now. I mean it's not like they're going to sweet-talk them out of their guns. If you're going to have to take their weapons by force anyway, while they're distracted would be a good time.

Of course, if you actually have no plans to disarm them, this is as good an excuse as any.
posted by jeffrey at Saturday, August 23, 2003

 

Sgt. Mom has an entertaining essay on the wonders of the hidden rank.
posted by jeffrey at Friday, August 22, 2003

 

Sgt. Mom has an entertaining essay on the wonders of the hidden rank.
posted by jeffrey at Friday, August 22, 2003

 

For those of you waiting breathless to find out what The New York Times has to say about the California recall, Martin Devon has a roundup. Since I don't live in California and don't much care what people at the Times have to say, Martin's summary is good enough for me.
posted by jeffrey at Friday, August 22, 2003

 

If I'm reading Josh Claybourn correctly, that's what he thinks the 10 Commandments monument battle is.

The 10 Commandments debacle currently going on in Alabama is an unfortunate example of Christians fighting the wrong battles. Does Judge Moore and his supporters think that by keeping the commandments in place they're converting people to Christianity? Do they think someone will see their rallies and ponder, "Wow, now that I know our country's founders were Christian, maybe I should be too"? Having the 10 Commandments at a courthouse will convert few people, if any at all. The rallies, fighting, and protests will likely turn off more people than it will convince.

I think he's right about that. Getting in people's faces and yelling is rarely an effective way of convincing them to see your point of view.
posted by jeffrey at Friday, August 22, 2003

 
"Tattered"

That was polite.
posted by jeffrey at Thursday, August 21, 2003

 

Angela Phelps has an excellent article on the price of freedom.
posted by jeffrey at Thursday, August 21, 2003

 

Last month I stayed at a DoubleTree Club Suites in Jersey City. I wasn't all that happy with my service. It wasn't this bad though. (Download may be required. Link via Donald Sensing.)
posted by jeffrey at Thursday, August 21, 2003

 

Now that's a truck. (Link via Dave Barry.)
posted by jeffrey at Thursday, August 21, 2003

 

Perhaps the UN should be more careful about who they hire.

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug. 21 — American investigators looking into the suicide bombing of the United Nations compound on Tuesday are focusing on the possibility that the attackers were assisted by Iraqi security guards who worked there, a senior American official here said today.

The official said all of the guards at the compound were agents of the Iraqi secret services, to whom they reported on United Nations activities before the war. The United Nations continued to employ them after the war was over, the official said.

The official said that when investigators began questioning the guards, two of them asserted that they were entitled to "diplomatic immunity" and refused to cooperate. Diplomats working in foreign countries are often entitled to immunity from prosecution by local authorities, but the official said the two guards could make no such claim.

Investigators are continuing to question the guards, the official said.

Of course, I'm sure it's still America's fault.
posted by jeffrey at Thursday, August 21, 2003

 

I think the road map is getting torn to shreds:

Hamas Fires Rockets into Israel

Hamas militants have fired three rockets into southern Israel from the Gaza Strip after vowing harsh retaliation for Thursday's assassination of a senior Hamas leader by Israel.

The Israeli army said two of the rockets fell harmlessly into a field, but the third damaged a house in the town of Sderot. No injuries are reported.

I know what we'd do if terrorist fired rockets at American houses. I don't know why we continue to restrain the Israelis.
posted by jeffrey at Thursday, August 21, 2003

 

After arresting numerous dissidents over the last few months, Casto's government now claims that one of the few remaining dissident leaders is actually a government spy.

In a fresh blow to Cuban dissidents reeling from a year of mass arrests and jailings, Fidel Castro's regime has announced that one of the last opposition leaders still at liberty is a police spy.

Elizardo Sanchez, a leading source of information for overseas human rights groups, angrily rejected the allegation that he has been a government informant for six years.

"I deny it absolutely," said Mr Sanchez at his home in Havana. "I have confronted this regime for 35 years and my own history denies this frame-up."

I really don't know enough about any of this to comment intelligently. However, I will say that this seems a little suspicious. After all, if you had an effective undercover operative in place, why suddenly expose him? Of course, I don't know for sure, but it does seem a little odd.
posted by jeffrey at Thursday, August 21, 2003

 

Yeah, this ought to work:

Powell asks Arafat to help stop killing

Washington turned to Yasser Arafat yesterday, a man it had sought to marginalise and sideline for months, to help the so-called Middle East road-map after the Jerusalem bus bombing and Israel's killing of a senior Hamas leader threatened to wreck the peace plan.

Months after the United States demanded that the Palestinians elect a Prime Minister in an effort to reduce the authority of Mr Arafat, the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, asked him yesterday to help stop the cycle of violence.

At this rate, why don't we just skip the middleman and fund the bombing ourselves.

Ok, maybe that was overly snarky. But seriously, anyone who still, at this late date, believes that Arafat has any desire to stop the violence has some pretty serious delusions.
posted by jeffrey at Thursday, August 21, 2003

 

I found this at Right Wing News:

The reparations lawsuits are of course completely ridiculous. But, you want to know what would make them even sillier? Imagine if white people were suing blacks because their ancestors carried away some farming tools when they were freed from slavery. Well, here's something that's just as laughable as that...

Sorry, but you'll have to follow the link to find out what's that ridiculous.
posted by jeffrey at Thursday, August 21, 2003

 

Eugene Volokh has an interesting look at the meaning of this phrase.
posted by jeffrey at Thursday, August 21, 2003

 

Timothy Lynch has a list of questions that he wants John Ashcroft to answer about the PATRIOT Act. I think he's got some good points.
posted by jeffrey at Thursday, August 21, 2003

 

Tacitus has quite a bit to say about the UN and Iraq. I don't really have an opinion about his larger point, but the last paragraph makes a very good point.

On the subject of the bombing of the UN compound, let me also say that a great deal of the rhetoric coming from the blogospheric right -- mostly from self-described "anti-idiotarians," which is a self-nullifying label if there ever was one -- was a pathetic disgrace. If your first reaction was to crow about it, or to whip up a monologue on the irony of it all, you have my pity. I spent part of my day yesterday drafting condolence letters to the families of the dead; let me assure you that whatever the glaring flaws of the United Nations, those folks there were doing more for a free Iraq than you and I hunched behind our terminals stuffing our faces with Cheetos. So quit with that crap.

He's right; whatever you may think of the UN in general, the UN people on the ground in Iraq went there because they want to help the Iraqi people. Even if you think their methods were misguided, they were there to do what they could to aid people who have been oppressed for decades. They risked their lives to do good and they ended up getting killed for it. That's not funny, or ironic, or "just deserts." It's tragic. Those who died in the bombing should be honored, not looked down on.
posted by jeffrey at Thursday, August 21, 2003

 

Somehow, I don't think this version of the movie would do as well. (Link via Ghost of a Flea.)
posted by jeffrey at Thursday, August 21, 2003

 

Jack Rich makes an interesting point about the Alabama Supreme Court monument honoring the Ten Commandments.

First, there appears to be a plaque (I'm not certain of its exact form; that's not the important thing, it's the contents that count) in the SCOTUS, right behind where the Chief Justice sits, that contains...the Ten Commandments. Two questions for consideration:

1. Is the Ten Commandments a constitutionally acceptable display in the U.S. Supreme Court building?

2. If it is acceptable, in what substantive way does this display differ from the display in the rotunda of the Alabama Supreme Court?

I think he makes a good point. I don't know what secession has to do with anything though.
posted by jeffrey at Thursday, August 21, 2003

 

... and acronym.

Nick Gillespie points out some of the aspects of the "Victory" act.
posted by jeffrey at Thursday, August 21, 2003

 

Filling his usual post as pessimist at NR, John Derbyshire writes that he doesn't want to live forever. Of course, neither did Bilbo Baggins.
posted by jeffrey at Wednesday, August 20, 2003

 

As you can see, I've added the News Box from GeorgeWBush.com. I can't say for certain at this point that I'll vote for Bush, but I don't see any other viable alternatives at the moment. For now I'll have to say I'm going for Bush.
posted by jeffrey at Wednesday, August 20, 2003

 

Once again, Christopher Johnson is explaining some problems of the Anglican church. This time, he does it by illustrating the difference between Western Anglicans and their African counterparts.
posted by jeffrey at Wednesday, August 20, 2003

 

David Heddle has an interesting post about "Carnal Christians". I don't really have anything to say about this larger topic, but I did have a thought about this:

No model of the free will is, in my opinion, completely satisfactory. However, as an explanation of the gross features of free will I follow, as I have written about many times, the basic Augustinian, Lutheran, and Edwardsian (and hence Reformed) notion that free will means not only are we free to choose what we want, but in fact we always choose what we want most. ¹

I would agree with David that no model of free will is completely satisfactory, but I question the statement that we always chose what we want the most. I have certainly done things which I didn't think was what I most wanted at the time. Was that just an illusion?

¹I'm aware that David is using this in relation to the Calvinistic ideas of total depravity and election. I'm not trying to address those issues at present.
posted by jeffrey at Wednesday, August 20, 2003

 
I just saw this story on Arutz Sheva:

Three Foreign Ministers are visiting in Israel this week - and all of them are adhering to Israel's request not to meet with Yasser Arafat. They represent Japan, Ethiopia, and Nicaragua.

Good for them. Of course there was also this:

Israel has a standing request from European Union leaders not to meet with Arafat, but the EU has so far not agreed.

Shame on them.
posted by jeffrey at Wednesday, August 20, 2003

 

I got this in the mail and I thought I'd share.
posted by jeffrey at Wednesday, August 20, 2003

 

Stephen Schwarz takes a look at the failure of media commissions in Bosnia and Albania and worries that the same problems may occur in Iraq.

It's hard to argue with his conclusion:

Let Iraqi journalism flourish, with as many newspapers and broadcasters as can survive in the marketplace, and let Iraq journalists learn as they work.

posted by jeffrey at Wednesday, August 20, 2003

 

You might notice that I've taken down the flags to the left. That's because I've always hosted them and any other pics on this blog on my AOL webspace. I've decided to discontinue AOL service. That means that any and all pics will not be accesible.

BTW, if anyone knows of someplace that I could host pics for free, please let me know. (I thought I could do it on Geocities, but that doesn't seem to work.)
posted by jeffrey at Wednesday, August 20, 2003

 

James Robbins explains why the U.N. was such a compelling target for terrorists:

Thus far international reaction to the bombing is universally condemnatory. There are no signs yet that the U.N. will use it as a pretext to leave Iraq. And this tragedy, like the Bali bombing in 2002, or the 9/11 attacks, serves to clarify both the high stakes for which the war is being fought, and the intensity of the enemy’s hatred for all that is not them. Despite what one might think about the U.N. as an organization, the victims of the Baghdad bombing were humanitarian workers on a mission to improve the lives of the Iraqi people. From the terrorist point of view, this is why they had to die. When the radicals say they loathe everything the civilized world stands for, believe it.

Of course, the terrorists don't come out and say that they oppose civilization. They use words like "crusaders" and "westerners". The reality is that they don't just attack people from the "West". They certainly don't target only "crusaders" or even Christians. They just attack anyone in their way.
posted by jeffrey at Wednesday, August 20, 2003

 

Tim Blair has pointed out many instances in which members of the left are trying to shut down debate.
posted by jeffrey at Wednesday, August 20, 2003

 

I've been hunting around looking for something to post for, and I can't seem to find anything. More later.
posted by jeffrey at Tuesday, August 19, 2003

 

Well, I've got my computer up and running. It seems my video card crashed. I took it in to be repaired, but they told me belatedly that the tech was on vacation. (If I'd known that earlier, I could have gone elsewhere.) Any way, I'm up and blogging. It may take me a couple of days to get up to speed as I've been intentionally ignoring the news.

More soon.
posted by jeffrey at Tuesday, August 19, 2003

 

I'm sorry for the absence as of late. I realize I've been offline for a while. It wasn't planned, but there it is. My home computer has crashed which has made updating problematic. It's in for service, but things are going a bit slow. I've also had some interference from real life. The new medication that gave me at Mayo helped with my headaches a lot, but they really threw me for a loop. I ended up sleeping. A lot. And when I say a lot, I mean like 12-14 hours a day.

Anyway, I seem to be over the worst of the side effects from my medication and my headaches are much reduced. As soon as I can get my computer back, blogging should resume a more normal schedule. In the meantime, I can't promise much.
posted by jeffrey at Monday, August 11, 2003