According to Interpol, the total of number of civilians killed in the world this past six months as a direct result of war, and/or political terror is simply staggering. The numbers in Iraq are providing but a small fraction of the total. I won't reproduce the numbers, I suggest you do a search, and extend the pity that war is to these poor, unfortunate souls as well. Are not all human beings, as our concern
"If you think invading Iraq is bad...you don't even want to know what a mess we will create if we have to go into Saudi Arabia." T-Bone, ... we are already there, and to be blunt, the U.S., along with the world (yes, the U.N.) is prepared to protect the worlds' oil reserves at any cost-- even if that means disregarding Saudi sovereignty. Naturally, I hope the elections in Iraq succeed, which is likely to pressure that Saudis to reform their g
Bahu, do not feel bad, as it is not unusual for one track minds to end up in the class of posted articles marked by reasoning that zigs & zags so far & wide that it simply becomes mechanical dribble. Try doing better. Thank you.
Bahu wrote, "The question is the legality of the Iraq War. The war was waged without UN sanction," So, Bau, were the war 'legal' (U.N. sanctioned), all the killing, maiming & destruction that war admittedly & horribly is, would be then mitigated under a Bahu/U.N. good seal of approval, and yet those children would be no less dead, or maimed. No? C'mon Bahu, educate us, don't patronize us. As for Bush ... Bahu you’re educated & brig
Old Boy, I believe the song in your title was recorded by Madonna. At any rate, row, row, your boat.. life is but a dream ...
After 911, the NYPD enlisted the services of former CIA & military counter-terrorism experts. Let's call this approach smart. Compare the CIA approach: After 911, the CIA rejected the application of a friend of mine, while the NYPD, on the other hand, enlisted his services. The reason the CIA rejected my buddy was because his father, who for 30 years work
"Sincerely Flipping the Jingoists the New York State Bird (it's also a hand gesture) and smirking," So you're a New Yorker, Sol ... city? Suburbs? Up-state? If you don't mind sharing, where were you on 911? And any thoughts on how America's National psyche’s been affected by that day?
You wrote: "This book does not cover the war from the Iraqi point of view…" Why don't you share with us your understanding of the "typical Iraqi" view of the war? (to tell us that no one wants to be killed, etc. is telling us nothing we don't already know). Is it that all of the Iraqi people would prefer a return to Bathist rule? Is that all the Iraqi people desire a state ruled by religious zealots?
Solanc, While our troops do have to deal with things as they are now, I suggest that the CIA should stop whining about the difficulty of the mission, and exploit the foe's increasingly understood vulnerabilities. The Batthist political party was not the only power on the block; they merely had the biggest guns, and got to ware the legitimacy of State, they could then crush any challenge to their political power. Parallel to Batthist power are
Kingbee, Carlos Marcello (aka Little Big Man) was born in Africa of Sicilian parents. A notorious gangster, who ruled the New Orleans’s crime family, and his name is associated, along with Santos Trafficante, with JFK (Jack Ruby/CIA/ Castro). A lot of hearsay, very little hard facts.
No mocking, here, and I do appreciate you comments. I would only add that much of what you suggest was the responsibility of the CIA. Whereas it successfully used its prior contacts with mujahideen fighters, war lords, dope smugglers, etc. in Afgahistan, it relied on the representations of a powerless, nobody, in assessing Iraq. It should have been gathering Intel from several criminal groups based in Syria, which apparently is now occurring. </fo
king bee, "(i am passing familiar with the saracen occupation of palermo; what exactly are you considering pre-norman times?)" Before 1000's, they ruled Sicily for two centuries. In connection with understanding one's foe, NYPD counter-intelligence is no longer confined only to surveillance and infiltration of Mosques. In fact, some Mosque simply will not tolerate extremism, and are co
A worthy exposition, indeed, Old Boy. Keep sharking, Old Boy.
kingbee, I wasn't aware of that site. Thanks. I do have a copy of Hess' book, to which the author on the site refers. My understanding is that Hess, a German academic, did not entirely understand the nuances of the Sicilian language he attempted to translate. Gaia Sevadio's book, Mafioso, is considered the best on the subject. He goes through the various theories, and explanations. He concludes, "It is in fact likely that the word has an A
kingbee, BTW, the kleo connection ... very funny. Sicily has a long & complicated history, of which Arab culture has played a significant part: an Arab tribe called Ma afir occupied Palermo in pre-Norman times. When speaking of losing face in the Arab world, it's the same as a Mafioso demanding respect. I have blog I posted a while back, the title is Proverbs of Protection,
The comparison to ‘mafia culture’ is not intended to suggest a 'conspiracy', but rather is an attempt to understand the culture, psychology - the fears- that dominate, and, thereby, control such societies. I interpret Major Bellon's approach as one finally grappling with the local realties of Iraq’s Mafia culture. I view this as a fundamental breakthrough in American thinking. Exclusively limiting American intelligence to understanding the p
The following is an excerpt from the article that you linked: "Bellon asserted that previous attempts to win trust from Iraqis suspicious of US intentions had telegraphed weakness by asking,” 'What are your needs? What are your emotional needs?' All this Oprah [stuff]," he said. "They want to figure out who the dominant tribe is and say, 'I'm with you.' We need to be the benevolent, dominant tribe.... They're never going to like us," he added
You wrote: "The subject raised in my blog "Iraq Again: The Human Cost of Taking Fallujah" raised a range of issues. I begin by making it clear that I am not being critical or unduly judgmental....These are powerful words. They have been spoken by a man who fought and is a witness to that unspeakable war." It's not unusual, when passionate about a subject, to find ourselves contradicting our intent
A friend forwarded me the following. Counting your blessings please do the same. The Sands of Christmas-- I had no Christmas spirit when I breathed a weary sigh, and looked across the table where the bills were piled too high. The laundry wasn't finished and the car I had to fix, My stocks were down another point, the Dolphins lost by six. <
Life’s wretched tow, Old Boy, is like the proverbial razor’s edge, straight & narrow & difficult to tread. A patrician such as you must endeavor to curl his bloody toes & hold on to the clichéd bitter end. When contemplating a potential peasant revolt in which patrician throats would be slit, I believe it was Disareli who said, “Faith in the obstinacy of the upper-class to relinquish its iron-fist grip is our
BTW a medieval tournament just might be the cure. If total obliteration of religion is not feasible, by Jove why not singularly consolidate mankind under one thumb of repression -- have each great religion offer its respective champion in a winner take all tournament of jousting. Righteous violence in grace's scared name is better than good opium, Old Boy.
If only you could share your thoughtful comments in the Multi Cultural Student office without retribution. Great stuff.
Cheering up. That's more like it, old boy. Although I also find that mankind could certainly use a good asteroid spanking.
Hallelujah! Bernard Kerik is an excellent selection to head up Homeland security. By all accounts, he's no shrinking Lilly, and made his way up through the ranks the rough way. He's street smart, has a big pair of balls, and that, grasshoppers, is the only way to fight these terrorist maggots. I am pleased, as is Lady Dove. A thing about my wif
In connection with immigration, I believe Bush takes a view frowned upon by many on the right. I believe this is the result of his life experience as a Texan. I lived a spell in San Antonio before 911. Many proud Americans in that neck of the woods (they love the Spurs); many happen to be of Mexican origin, and love, love America too. Would die for America. In fact, I never met a Hispanic person who did not wish to learn English. In fact, th
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