Terrorists or Patriots?
Ted Rall argues that the Iraqi resistance members are patriots.
War on Terrorism
fuzzy words drive fuzzy policy
When looking for the answer to a complex problem it is often the simplest that provides the most clarity. Eugene Oregon, responding to a Postrel post, provides a pretty simple answer to why the US invaded Iraq:
Thus, the simplest explanation for why we started this war is because the neo-cons wanted to. And September 11th just gave them a convenient excuse to do so.
While he is probably correct about why we started the war Eugene does not really address the question that Postrel
But Bush’s vagueness is maddening to people who are paying attention and confusing to people who aren’t.
and Josh Marshall are talking about:
But the White House is being run by men and women who’ve already made a lot of really stupid mistakes that are going to cost a lot of American lives, money and credibility. And now they’re trying to hide from accountability in their own idiot abstractions.
Not only can they hide from accountability but they can also forge ahead with their agenda for as long as they are able to fool enough people with fuzziness. If there is no tangible enemy there does not have to be a tangible end to the fight and this may be exactly what the bushies want.
supporting the troops
the antic muse has been listening to Rush on our behalf again:
Rush Limbaugh spotlights the heartwarming (and ass-cooling) story of how voluntary donations are our military’s real secret weapon
and comes to this conclusion:
Aside from bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase, “all volunteer army,” Rush seems to suggest that the next time a soldier runs low on something the armed forces should have “totally covered,” mom should send him a new one: “Dear Mike, I’ve enclosed your little sister’s new class picture, the latest Limp Biskit CD, some of those brownies you like, and, oh yes, a brand new automatic assault rifle. Kill the bastards, sweetie!”
I don’t know about you, but this perspective on military readiness frankly scares the shit out of me.
But it is about what one expect’s from rush and the bushies. Oh, and given the plentiful electricity in Iraq just what power source will they be using for the AC?
Interrogation and Rights
From a recent Newsweek article:
The United States figures it can get plenty out of the newly captured Chemical Ali. But how? And are these �interrogation� techniques being readied for American citizens?
Apparently they are already being used on Americans. Read the whole article and then think again about the closing paragraph:
If the courts buy this line of argument, then we Americans can kiss our sweet rights goodbye. And reading the admiral�s brief, you have to ask yourself if that isn�t really the goal: to give the president and his people the power to treat all Americans like Jos� Padilla, unless and until we give the answers expected of us.
Ashcroft Tour
Pejman argues that John Conyers’ recent criticism of Ashcroft’s Patriot Act tour is too much:
I understand and respect those who disagree with the USA Patriot Act, but this goes beyond a mere difference of opinion. Conyers is stating that Ashcroft can’t even talk about the measure in speeches across the country. This is just ridiculous, and Conyers’s position is not saved by claiming that Ashcroft is “lobbying.” How can the activity qualify as lobbying when the Patriot Act was passed nearly two years ago?
I do not know if there is legislation that supports Conyers position but if there is I do not like it any more than similar laws (or regulations) that, for example, prohibit recipients of federal funds from providing information on, say condom use, to sexually active clients.
We thrive on a free flow of information and opinions, even information and opinions that we disagree with. Ashcroft should get to talk and he should make a choice to talk to the larger community not just law enforcement folks in closed or semi-closed sessions.
Is Ashcroft lobbying and does Pejman’s argument that the Patriot Act was passed two years ago so it can’t be lobbying hold up? Maybe not. I think that Ashcroft is concerned that congress may move to make changes he does not want. Why else does he, for example, make stops in the home district of the only GOP congressman who voted against it?
U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft is coming to Boise on Monday to talk up the Patriot Act in the home district of the only GOP congressman who spoke against it.
Ashcroft kicked off a monthlong speaking tour of more than a dozen cities this week to deflect growing opposition to parts of the Patriot Act.
Trying to deflect growing opposition may not be lobbying but it does walk just a little bit like it.
The other thing Ashcroft is undoubtably trying to do is build support for the pending Victory Act. Ashcroft is lobbying just as bush is currently on the campaign trail (is his re-election committee paying for this?). They are doing what public officials have done for ever and should continue to do even if we disagree with them: make their cases to the people.