Where did you want them to bring it, John?

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I sincerely hope that all of you enjoyed Senator John Kerry’s pleasant idyll through Election 2004, because it’s officially over:

Senator Kerry’s voting record on national security raises some important questions all by itself. Let’s begin with the matter of how Iraq and Saddam Hussein should have been dealt with. Senator Kerry was in the minority of senators who voted against the Persian Gulf War in 1991. At the time, he expressed the view that our international coalition consisted of ” shadow battlefield allies who barely carry a burden.” Last year, as we prepared to liberate Iraq, he recalled the Persian Gulf coalition a little differently. He said it was a “strong coalition,” and a model to be followed.

Six years after the Gulf War, in 1997, Saddam Hussein was still defying the terms of the cease-fire. And as President Bill Clinton considered military action against Iraq, he found a true believer in John Kerry. The Senator from Massachusetts said, quote, “Should the resolve of our allies wane, the United States must not lose its resolve to take action.” He further warned that if Saddam Hussein were not held to account for violation of U.N. resolutions, some future conflict would have ” greater consequence.” In 1998, Senator Kerry indicated his support for regime change, with ground troops if necessary. And, of course, when Congress voted in October of 2002, Senator Kerry voted to authorize military action if Saddam refused to comply with U.N. demands.

A neutral observer, looking at these elements of Senator Kerry’s record, would assume that Senator Kerry supported military action against Saddam Hussein. The Senator himself now tells us otherwise. In January he was asked on TV if he was, quote, “one of the anti-war candidates.” He replied, “I am.” He now says he was voting only to, quote, “threaten the use of force,” not actually to use force.

Even if we set aside these inconsistencies and changing rationales, at least this much is clear: Had the decision belonged to Senator Kerry, Saddam Hussein would still be in power, today, in Iraq. In fact, Saddam Hussein would almost certainly still be in control of Kuwait. (Laughter.)

Yup, Cheney’s speech. Damn feisty one, and from the accounts that I’ve heard so far from my fellow VRWCers, well presented, too. Now, I’m sure that a lot of you are prepared to spin, explain, redefine and (probably, in a couple of cases at least) correct Cheney’s comments… but I would seriously recommend against thinking that this was not bad mojo for Kerry, skillfully applied. I’m betting that this one is going to have an impact past the base (who will spread it far and wide; we’ve been chomping at the bit lately*), so watch out.

Of course, if you feel confident enough, you can ignore my advice completely. I have it on excellent authority that my side is all made up of dunderheaded poltroons.

Moe

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Hibernating?

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NZ Bear, that is: it’s been, like, two weeks since a post and at least one since the Ecosystem crashed. I’m all for letting people work through their blogging tech problems on their own, but I would’ve figured that somebody would have said something. Bear, if you’re reading, post somewhere so that we know that … Read more

Fear my Avenging Overdue Strike!

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We have apparently entered into a surreal portion of Election 2004, so why not link to this Onion article? Rumsfeld Hosts No-Holds-Barred Martial Arts Tournament At Remote Island Fortress. FANG ISLAND—U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has opened his fortified island headquarters to participants in his second no-holds-barred martial arts tournament, the enigmatic mastermind announced … Read more

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Murderous thugs say the darndest things: “Kerry will kill our nation while it sleeps because he and the Democrats have the cunning to embellish blasphemy and present it to the Arab and Muslim nation as civilization.” “Because of this we desire you (Bush) to be elected.” That’s it. I’m voting for Bush. I don’t truck … Read more

Translation: “Bring it on”

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If at first your over-simplified arrogant taunts don’t succeed, try, try again: Terrorists are killing “innocent life in order to get the world to cower,” [Bush] said. “These are cold-blooded killers. They’ll kill innocent people to try to shake our will . . . They’ll never shake the will of the United States.” I know … Read more

Much ado about “All Forms of Terrorism”

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Various other blogs (for one good example see Bird Dog’s essay on Tacitus) are debating whether Spain’s Prime Minister-elect Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has already given the world a good indication that he’ll be soft on terrorists because he said: My immediate priority will be to fight all forms of terrorism. The exact phrase causing … Read more

For a Snowy St. Patrick’s Day

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There’s been some general dislike of Jame Joyce expressed around these parts as of late, and although I fully support the freedom of expression it represents, I’d like to submit, on this snowy St. Patrick’s Day (in New York City, anyway), as evidence of why he’s considered the genius he is, this final passage from … Read more

Some thoughts . . . .

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. . . for your considered opinion. Otherwise, it’s gonna be a light blogging day/week for me. First, Kerry’s an idiot for commenting that he has the support of “foreign leaders” (or more leaders, or whatever). He sounds like a Fifth columnist. And he deserves the crap he’s getting from Team Bush. On the other … Read more

It’s not funny: I live inside the Beltway now.

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Matt Yglesias may have, frighteningly, worked out the specific answer to the age-old question, “Why are we ruled by these idiots?” I say ‘frighteningly’ because 1). I’m not exactly in a position to prove him wrong; 2). That was how the Romans went over the side, IIRC; and 3). I just had a pretty damn … Read more

Oddly fitting, sorta kinda not really.

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The always-interesting to read* folks over at Socialism in an Age of Waiting had a very interesting metapost about Japanese… stuff (UPDATE: Stupid links are bloggered, as usual; scroll down to Tsupa, Tsupa, Nicha, Nicha. FYI, SIAW, TypePad’s $15/month, maximum). OK, OK, what got my attention was the link to this review of a book on erotic/pornographic art of the Edo period. Just so you know, there’s no actual pictures or anything, but it’s an interesting and educational** review just the same.

There’s also a poem from that post that has nothing to do with Japanese erotica. I devoutly hope so, at least.

Moe

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For those not into poetry.

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I have another topic for all y’all. An aphorism, even – one that I came up with while on the trip home. To wit:

“If the media actually were a bunch of lapdogs, they would be those little psychotic yapping ratdogs that you would never quite be comfortable around, because you never know what event might cause them to snap like an old rubber band. You can’t tell me that they’re happy about not being wolves anymore, that’s all I’m saying. Look at the resentment, man! Look at the rage in their eyes! They could lose it at any moment!”

(pause)

OK, OK, I read too much Terry Pratchett* and John D MacDonald**, but you get the point. Discuss?

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The “Right” Way to Fight Terrorism

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A shorthand has developed recently suggesting that going after the terrorists on our terms is the “right” way to fight them. That to “ignore” or “appease” or “satisfy their grievances” is the “wrong” way. Hidden in that assessment as it’s unfolding in the US Presidential campaign is also the implication that to “ignore” or “appease” … Read more

Gravity-defying Good for You

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It’s supposed to snow in New York tonight, so we’re looking forward to that old-fashioned tradition we all love and know so well: A White St. Patrick’s Day! Er….yeah. Anyway, it would’t be St. Paddy’s if I didn’t find a good pint of Guinness to celebrate, but this year, when I’m watching those tiny bubbles … Read more

ObWi goes Slamming…

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In comments here Reader sidereal said: Obsidian Wings poetry slam impending. After reading up on the subject… sure, why not? Rules: 1) Do your own work; 2) Keep it… hmm, thirty lines or so maximum; 3) If you’re looking for a topic, Spring is almost here. I’ll create an actual Poetry Slam entry page that’ll … Read more

Cheerfulness, Moe, Cheerfuness.

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When you get emails asking if things are OK, it’s time for a subject change. Therefore, I shall belatedly link to this Onion article that I somehow completely missed last week: Jesus Demands Creative Control Over ext Movie: Christ said He considered returning to the physical world to make an accurate film depiction of His … Read more

Iran, again.

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Seeing as my cobloggers have flooded the zone on the subject of recent events in Spain*, and flooded it quite well, I’m going to exercise my own perennial worry: Iran. Something’s going on over there (via Pejman):

According to sketchy reports, an uprising has occurred in the northern Iranian city of Fereydunkenar.

Demonstrations are reported to have begun on March 13, in the small town in the northern Iranian province of Mazandaran.

Activist chat is claiming that the demonstrations are spreading; so is SMCCDI. As usual, the regular news organizations apparently don’t have a blessed clue about what’s going on: I drew a blank with AP, Reuters, Fox, CNN… shoot, right now I’d be happy to get some sort of information from AFP, even.

So, I guess we wait and see.

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As you might have guessed…

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…I’m not precisely my chipper self today. A good deal of it has to do with this: I happen to live within spitting distance of UMD. Close enough to smell the burning mattresses, in fact. Now, normally I’d be saying that “It’s not so much…” blah blah blah, and then go into what really bugs … Read more

Get used to the following:

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1) That the belief will continue that Senator John Kerry claimed that ‘foreign’ leaders were telling him that they wanted him to win, even though the reporter involved is now saying that Kerry had actually said ‘more’ leaders; (Hat tip: Reader rilkefan) 2) That the belief will continue that President George Bush used actors instead … Read more

It’s the coverup, stupid!

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Across the blogosphere opinions about what led Spanish voters to change course and elect the PSOE party rather than the previously sure-thing Popular party are missing one essential message that Spaniards are saying again and again: they voted against Aznar & Co because they lied…because despite contrary evidence, and apparently for political purposes, they tried … Read more

Say what?

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From Andrew Sullivan, with whom I usually agree: Al Qaeda has been seriously weakened since 9/11, thanks almost entirely to those countries, especially the U.S., that chose to confront it. But it seems clear to me that the trend in Europe is now either appeasement of terror or active alliance with it. It is hard … Read more

June 30

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The less worthy half of the right side of the blogosphere is having a severe case of “The people have spoken, the bastards!” over the Spanish election results today. Here are a few of the more egregious examples:

Stanley Kurtz: “Appeasement and shame, they[sic] name is Spain. This people lives an ocean away from us. Yet they have brought shame on all of us.”

Michael Graham: “Does anyone know the Spanish word for “coward?” “

Jonah Goldberg: “But when the Spanish people basically shout “We’re sorry” after having 200 of their people blown to smithereens, then the terrorists have won.”

Andrew Sullivan: “BIN LADEN’S VICTORY IN SPAIN–It’s a spectacular result for Islamist terrorism, and a chilling portent of Europe’s future.”

Instapundit: “TERRORISTS HAVE SUCCEEDED IN TOPPLING THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT. Jeff Jarvis observes: ” In any case, it’s a damned shame that terrorists can have an impact on the election and can help bring in the side they apparently wanted.”

Eric Olsen has more thoughts on what is, I’m afraid, a bad day for the forces of civilization.”

Roger Simon: “Meanwhile, it is a beautiful day in Los Angeles and I walk out on my deck, looking across the Hollywood Hills at Runyon Canyon, but my mind is in Madrid, at its splendid Puerta del Sol where I have spent so many wonderful days and where sadly fascists have walked before and for too long. But this time they are not under the flag of Generalissimo Franco. This time, ironically, they rally behind the words of a man, Osama bin Laden, whom El Caudillo would have reviled. But of course the cry of both men is the same: Viva la muerte!”

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Time to renew an old question?

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In the first few days after 9/11 a well-meaning, deeply liberal friend of mine from Italy sent an email to dozens of US citizens offering words of comfort. At the end of his email he also asked that we consider why this happened. As was appropriate at that time, he was blugeoned with angry emails … Read more

In for a penny, in for a Euro

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Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero says he plans to pull 1,300 Spanish troops out of Iraq in June. Spain PM-elect: Troops out of Iraq “I think Spain’s participation in the war has been a total error,” Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero told a news conference Monday. Although I would have fully supported Spain’s decision not to send … Read more

Damn those Weasels!

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This just in: France: Bin Laden Nearly Caught in Afghanistan Osama bin Laden has escaped capture in Afghanistan several times and may be linked in some way to the Madrid train attacks that killed 200 people, France’s chief of defense staff said Monday. Gen. Henri Bentegeat said about 200 French troops were operating with U.S. … Read more

Intelligence. And the lack thereof.

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One thing is clear: If Thursday’s attack on Spain was the work of al Queda (and, right now, the safe money says that it was), we were caught flat-foot again. The attack was preceded by no reports of “increased chatter.” The threat alert went unelevated. The State Department issued no new travel warnings. There were … Read more

Silence and Cold

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I beg your indulgence, all of you, for one more attempt at versification. This is a bad attempt at Spanish verse form: 8 syllable, abbaabba and consonant rhyme. I tried to make it sound the way classical guitar sounds to me; somber, almost sad, but with purpose. Dunno if it worked.

Again, our prayers and good wishes go out to the people of Spain.

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Duplex & the City

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I have this recurring dream where I find an extra room in my tiny Soho apartment that I sort of always knew was there, but didn’t really utilize. And it dawns on me as I watch it get bigger before my eyes in that zoom-out-reverse-dolly way things do in movies that I could make this … Read more

Triumph of Hope?

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Or the triumph of hope over experience? Tacitus’ Guest Blogger* Bird Dog has a post up about this WaPo article:China Amends Constitution to Guarantee Human Rights. Good news, right? BEIJING, March 14 — China amended its constitution Sunday to include formal guarantees of human rights and private property, laying down a new marker in the … Read more

One small favor…

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…is that, no matter how vicious our political debate can get, it typically remains a nonviolent one. As Lt. Smash points out, the recent impeachment of South Korea’s President Roh Moo Hyun can be a pretty good reminder that things can get worse: After a drama in the National Assembly as pro- and anti-Roh legislators … Read more

One Night in Orthanc…

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The folks at Crooked Timber (who – along with Brad DeLong – don’t need my traffic, as a look at our referrer logs will readily enough show) is talking about the latest “No way! Way!” to hit the buzzosphere: Lord of the Rings musical planned. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I tried to avoid mashing that in with any number of Broadway musicals.

I failed.

(UPDATE: I also failed to say what it was ripped off; the Terrace Duet from the musical Chess, more or less)

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What, They’re STILL Getting People With That One?

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Great Googley Moogley:

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. (AP) – City officials were so concerned about the potentially dangerous properties of dihydrogen monoxide that they considered banning foam cups after they learned the chemical was used in their production.

(Via Instapundit)

Please note that I am assuming that our readers here have been sufficiently educated to get the joke right away.

Anyway, this was the last straw: I’m now calling for a Department of Slapping People Who Should Have Known Better in the Face with a Wet Halibut. Much as I hate to increase the size of the government, I’m not a hardshell libertarian. There are times and places, and that’s here and now:

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Spanish election sites.

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The parliamentary elections for Spain should be closing up right around the time that I post this; there’s some controversy over whether the increasing likelihood that Thursday’s cowardly and vile attack was done by al-Qaeda will be reflected in the final results today. Tell truthful, I’m not willing to bet either way; I don’t know … Read more

Numb and Reflective

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Two days ago an as-yet-unnamed enemy shattered the peace and broke the heart of a great city, a great nation, and a lovely people. I’ve been to Spain three times. Once in the mid 80’s, once a few years later, and then again just last year. The transformation there since the mid 80’s has been … Read more