Instead of paraphrasing U.S. government propaganda, the bloggers at National Review link straight to the press release. Bravo! A lesson in integrity for the rest of the White House shills in the blogosphere.
Ali Ismail Abbas Update
Ali Ismail Abbas, the Iraqi boy who suffered the loss of both arms and much of his family during the glorious liberation of his country, has been fitted with prostheses by a British charity. This is wonderful news, and Ali seems genuinely grateful for the help he has received.
But for those who think that the U.S. will be held in eternal esteem by the Iraqis, Afghans, etc., consider Ali’s recent comments on the war:
I keep asking myself: “Why are they bombing Iraqi people? What have we done to them?”
I hoped that the pilot who hit our house would be burned as I am burned and my family were burned.
Oh well, I’m sure he’s the only Iraqi who feels this way.
Doomsday is Already Here
Israel is now reported to have submarines equipped with nuclear weapons.
As an Israeli, I find it a great relief. Now, even if Israel is completely destroyed, we’ll strike back at whoever did it. We may all perish – but not ignominously!
In fact, the future is already here. Just like in the doomsday scenario, Israel’s governments have been doing their best to destroy the country in every possible way – devastating its economy, society, culture, environment, security, its political, education, welfare and health systems – but enhancing its ability to strike militarilly (in order to expand the settlements).
The only trouble is that we Israelis have no nukes to strike back at our own government. So we do perish ignominously, after all.
Come Again, Glenn?
Read this post by Glenn Reynolds, then read the article it refers to. Then convince me that Reynolds hasn’t gotten into Limbaugh’s stash.
Reynolds makes it sound as if Brendan O’Neill’s article somehow makes the case for war, like this hawk yelp from Charles Krauthammer. Say what? Contra Krauthammer (“Rolf Ekeus, living proof that not all Swedish arms inspectors are fools”) and the rest of the inspectors-were-wimps warbots, O’Neill points out that the inspectors were belligerent liars, too:
From the outset, UNSCOM was far from a neutral, peace-loving body. Its powers of intervention and destruction were unlike anything that went before in the arms control and inspection business…
Those who oppose Western intervention in Iraq and elsewhere should have no truck with the inspectors’ current claims. Say no to war – and no to weapons inspections.
Damned Liberal Media, Pt. 2
Or rather, damned French media. From AFP:
In Baghdad’s Sadr City district, more than 10,000 Shiites gathered for the funeral procession of two of their own killed in a firefight Thursday night between the Mehdi Army militia and coalition soldiers that also left several people hurt.
Militiamen armed with assault rifles and pistols escorted the funeral procession, led by a cleric who waved a ceremonial sword.
Raising their fists in the air, the men roared, “There is no God but Allah. America is the enemy of God.”
I bet an American soldier is digging a well somewhere. Why aren’t we hearing about that?
War Nerd on “Greater Albania”
Sam’s post on a book review in the eXile reminded me I haven’t visited their page for a while. One of my favorites is the “War Nerd,” though I’m not sure why. Maybe because he doesn’t mince words…
Here’s his take on the whole “Greater Albania” issue. The way I’ve argued it, it’s a bit more complex, but this guy just cuts right to the bone.
There’s also a great piece on French military history, for all those who denigrate them as “cheese-earing surrender monkeys.” Pay attention to the battle of Monongahela and its implications for American history (i.e. what if a certain officer had not survived?).
Fascinating stuff.