Linkage and roundup
Since I’m not really a “linker” type blogger (I like to think of myself as a “thinker”), I don’t usually write a post that is just a series of recommendations.
But every now and then I make an exception (hey, it’s my blog, right? So I can do whatever I want). This is one of those times.
So here, without further long-winded ado, are some links for you (hmmm; was that a poem?). You may notice that their themes are somewhat linked, as well:
1) Ace nails it on the left’s requirement for absolute selfless purity in our humanitarian military interventions.
2) Scott Kirwin at Dean’s World gives a roundup of the ways in which media coverage has misrepresented and/or spun the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan , to the possible detriment of our efforts there.
3) The Anchoress expands on the general theme of media misrepresentations, with a lengthy list.
4)Austin Bay makes a proposal that I heartily second: the formation of the Astonishing News Network.
5) And a must-read from the always deeply thoughtful Richard Fernandez at Belmont Club, on how 9/11 upped the ante in our political disagreements. His post is a good companion piece to my recent ruminations about the intensity–and anger–of political debate today (or maybe mine’s really more of a companion piece to his).
NNCONNED –
This information is current as of today, Sun May 21 00:58:12 2006.
It is an American conspiracy to get cheap drugs off the counter and to put a monopoly on the drug trade ; )
It’s too bad drugs and the military are incompatible (well addictive drugs anyway, stimulants and combat time expanders are good), or else we might get an Imperium on Drugs. Instead of a war on drugs.
The Left loves legalized drugs. I love opium. Ain’t Afghanistan the kick?
Opium Production Booming in Free Afghanistan
State Department Says Country Produces 90 Percent of World’s Opium
By LUIS MARTINEZ
March 1, 2006 – Freedom has been good to Afghanistan’s opium farmers.
Afghanistan produces 90 percent of the world’s opium, and the drug accounts for one-third of the country’s gross domestic product, according to the U.S. State Department’s annual report on international narcotics trafficking released today.
Though the amount of acreage under poppy cultivation dropped 48 percent in 2005, yields increased because the weather was good, so production dropped only 10 percent below the 2004 level. Even with the decrease, this year’s total is almost double the country’s peak production levels under the Taliban, and more than half of the total reduction occurred in just two provinces.
Steve, I hear ya comrade. 🙂
steve i think if you look carefully you will find that this was date last december and things are getting much better.
aren’t they?
2) Scott Kirwin at Dean’s World gives a roundup of the ways in which media coverage has misrepresented and/or spun the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan , to the possible detriment of our efforts there.
Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
——————————————————————————–
This information is current as of today, Sun May 21 00:58:12 2006.
IRAQ
December 29, 2005
This Travel Warning updates the current security situation and reiterates the dangers of the use of civilian aircraft and road travel within Iraq. This supersedes the Travel Warning of June 28, 2005.
The Department of State continues to strongly warn U.S. citizens against travel to Iraq, which remains very dangerous. Remnants of the former Ba’ath regime, transnational terrorists, criminal elements and numerous insurgent groups remain active. Attacks against military and civilian targets throughout Iraq continue, including in the International (or “Green”) Zone. Targets include convoys en-route to venues, hotels, restaurants, police stations, checkpoints, foreign diplomatic missions, international organizations and other locations with expatriate personnel. These attacks have resulted in deaths and injuries of American citizens, including those doing humanitarian work. In addition, there have been planned and random killings, as well as extortions and kidnappings. U.S. citizens have been kidnapped and several were subsequently murdered by terrorists in Iraq. U.S. citizens and other foreigners continue to be targeted by insurgent groups and opportunistic criminals for kidnapping and murder. Military operations continue. There are daily attacks against Multinational Forces – Iraq (MNF-I), Iraqi Security Forces and Iraqi Police throughout the country.
There is credible information that terrorists are targeting civil aviation. Civilian and military aircraft arriving in and departing from Baghdad International Airport and flying to other major cities in Iraq have been subjected to small arms and missiles. Civilian aircraft do not generally possess systems, such as those found on military aircraft, capable of defeating man-portable, surface-to-air missiles (MANPADS). Anyone choosing to utilize civilian aircraft to enter or depart or travel within Iraq should be aware of this potential threat, as well as the extremely high risk to road transportation described below. Official U.S. Government (USG) personnel are strongly encouraged to use U.S. military or other USG aircraft entering and departing Iraq due to concerns about security of civilian aircraft servicing Iraq. U.S. government personnel are only authorized to travel commercially on Royal Jordanian Airlines and AirServe. Personnel are prohibited from flying on all other commercial airlines due to safety and security concerns.
All vehicular travel in Iraq is extremely dangerous. There have been numerous attacks on civilian vehicles, as well as military convoys. Attacks occur throughout the day, but travel at night is exceptionally dangerous. Travel in or through Ramadi and Fallujah; travel between al-Hillah and Baghdad; travel between the International Zone and Baghdad International Airport; and travel from Baghdad to Mosul is particularly dangerous.
Occasionally, U.S. Government personnel are prohibited from traveling to certain areas depending on prevailing security conditions. There continues to be heavy use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), (especially new-type Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFP), and/or mines on roads, concealed in plastic bags, boxes, soda cans, dead animals, and in other ways to blend with the road. Grenades and explosives have been thrown into vehicles from overpasses, particularly in crowded areas. Overland travel should be undertaken only when absolutely necessary and with the appropriate security.
The U.S. Embassy is located in the International Zone. The Embassy can provide only limited emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq. At present, travel to and from the International Zone is extremely limited. The U.S. Embassy does not provide visa services to the general public. American citizens who choose to visit or reside in Iraq despite this Travel Warning are urged to pay close attention to their personal security, avoid crowds, especially rallies or demonstrations, and to inform the U.S. Embassy of their presence in Iraq. All Americans in Baghdad are strongly encouraged to register with the Embassy at the following website: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/home.asp.
hrm, I just remembered, we didn’t hear about Iran’s inviolable sovereignty when they “were not working on nukes” but when it was “useful” to say in response to Iraq, “Why don’t you invade Iran instead of Iraq, cause Iran sponsors terrorism?”
Now that we are contemplating doing something about Iran… suddenly the inviolate sovereignty of Iran now exists. If there was actually any oil in Sudan, I’m pretty sure people would start saying Sudan has an inviolable right to be overseen by the UN or something cause of sovereignty issues.
One of the reasons why you will never hear someone talking about Saudi Arabia or Darfur’s inviolable sovereignty.
I tell you, people commenting about their non-existent blogging is pretty useless.
In addition to that, Ace’s synopsis also works on Iran. To justify the “leave Iran” alone strategy, requires shutting off one’s conscience long enough to avoid recognizing the doublethink occuring.
That’s why the horrible Iranian purges and eliminations of human beings, have to be ignored in favor Iranian self-interest and national sovereignty. (Which of course is inviolate)
oh neo do you really give credence to this Radical Marxist thought derives protection from its status as a defeated mode of political action it is silly and makes no sense.
i tell you this blogging is just a process of trawling (trolling) through things we agree with. It is divisive and shallow