Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Batten The Hatches
Al Gore's recent evisceration of the Bush Administration's wiretapping scandal--which, as far as we can see did not rate more than a brief mention in the New York Times beyond the paper's routine posting of two wire stories--has apparently caused enough damage to warrant a typically dishonest retaliation from the White House.
If history is any judge we can expect the gates of right-wing media hell to open upon Al Gore for--again--telling the truth. Because if they can't ignore him they'll "Dean" him--which is to say, try to paint an honest man as a crazy person.
But to no avail, we think; this wiretapping story has legs. Americans--gosh, even some Republicans--don't want the government spying on them. Why, it's downright unAmerican.
Or at least it used to be. We're just SO pre-9/11 around here, what with our quaint notions of freedom and all.
If history is any judge we can expect the gates of right-wing media hell to open upon Al Gore for--again--telling the truth. Because if they can't ignore him they'll "Dean" him--which is to say, try to paint an honest man as a crazy person.
But to no avail, we think; this wiretapping story has legs. Americans--gosh, even some Republicans--don't want the government spying on them. Why, it's downright unAmerican.
Or at least it used to be. We're just SO pre-9/11 around here, what with our quaint notions of freedom and all.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
The Ramifications of Stupidity.
Both President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have criticized Iran for resuming nuclear fuel research, and have asked the U.N. to consider sanctioning Iran if it does not stop.
But why would Iran stop?
President Bush famously referred to Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as the "Axis of Evil". As we now know, Iraq did not have nuclear weapons, or even a nuclear weapons program, and the U.S. and Britain invaded Iraq and toppled its government.
North Korea has nuclear weapons. The U.S. and Britain did not invade North Korea.
So why, exactly, would Iran--the last of the "Axis of Evil" countries--not rush to develop nuclear capabilities?
Wouldn't you?
But why would Iran stop?
President Bush famously referred to Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as the "Axis of Evil". As we now know, Iraq did not have nuclear weapons, or even a nuclear weapons program, and the U.S. and Britain invaded Iraq and toppled its government.
North Korea has nuclear weapons. The U.S. and Britain did not invade North Korea.
So why, exactly, would Iran--the last of the "Axis of Evil" countries--not rush to develop nuclear capabilities?
Wouldn't you?
