"This was the voice of moderation until 13 Sept, 2025"
by Eric Martin As discussed on this site on numerous occasions, one of the oddest arguments for escalating/perpetuating our military presence in Afghanistan is the stated fear that our withdrawal would destabilize Pakistan. Implicit in this formulation is the presumption that our ongoing military occupation of Afghanistan (and concomitant military/political activity in Pakistan) is having a stabilizing effect … Read more
by Eric Martin Nicholas Kristof from a couple of weeks back: President Obama and Congress will soon make defining choices about health care and troops for Afghanistan. These two choices have something in common — each has a bill of around $100 billion per year. So one question is whether we’re better off spending that … Read more
by Eric Martin Eric remained unimpressed with David's theory of how the personal lives of Nietzsche and Schopenhauer impacted their respective philosophical outlooks.
by Eric Martin "I have long supported the goal of universal health care," Lieberman told reporters. "Ned Lamont can talk about it. I’ve been doing something about it all the time I’ve been here. –2006 Peter Beinarttheorizes as to the motivations behind Joe "With Us on Everything But the War" Lieberman's recent about face on the issue of affordable … Read more
by Eric Martin Steve Clemons tries to suss out the price tag associated with escalation/continuation in the rudderless conflict in Afghanistan: The White House is suggesting the price tag will be…$1 million per new soldier per year. And can I add that these figures do not seem to include the long term health costs that the US commits … Read more
by Eric Martin Although it won't pass, unfortunately, this is the right idea: Senior House Democrats have introduced legislation that would impose a surtax beginning in 2011 to cover the costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. […] “For the last year, as we’ve struggled to pass health care reform, we’ve been told that … Read more
by Eric Martin Steven Simon, whose work I admire greatly, discusses the negative reaction to the decision to try Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in a civilian court. After summarily dispensing with the more inane critiques of Obama's decision, Simon takes on the notion that a trial could serve as a platform for KSM to propagandize effectively. His … Read more
by Eric Martin Johann Hari has a fascinating piece in The Independentthat recounts his interviews with several British nationals that have made the journey from active participantsin jihadi/terrorist causes and back. Hari's quest to find out how and why certain people join terrorist groups, or espouse and propagate radical Islamist ideology, had been frustrated by the reticence and dissembling of persons active in those circles. His … Read more
My first Newsweek story, on the Stupak Amendment, the senate bill, and what’s next in the fight over abortion access under health reform.
by von I suppose that I should say something about Sarah Palin. I know, I know, she's pretty obscure. She's not even a one-term govenor. She's a quitter. She's a losing VP candidate. She doesn't have any expertise. She hasn't really done much. Kind of a waste of a post. Still, Palin paid someone write a book for … Read more