Okay, I am REALLY excited about the new movie "I, Robot" (starring Will Smith) based on the short story collection by Isaac Asimov. Asimov is one of my favorite writers, and he had a special gift for exploring the ambiguous relationship between humans and technology. I'm also glad to see a sign that thoughtful science-fiction cinema is not dead. There is so much more to science fiction than "Star Wars". Great SF films like "Soylent Green", "2001", and "Blade Runner" are visually and mentally stimulating, and also good "people stories". I'll try to write more about this later.
2004-06-17
Morning Report: June 17, 2004
MORNING REPORT - June 17, 2004
Questions about 9/11 Commssion. (various) The September 11 Commission has contradicted President Bush's claims about the alleged ties between al-Qaeda and Saddam's Ba'athist regime in Iraq. But is this an indictment of Bush, or of the Commission? Debka examines omissions and discrepancies in the Commission's report.
Andrew McCarthy's article in NRO raises some questions as well. And
CNN reports that Tony Blair's office is standing by its position, asserting that Saddam "created a permissive environment for terrorism and we know that the people affiliated to al Qaeda operated in Iraq during the regime".
Questions about 9/11 Commssion. (various) The September 11 Commission has contradicted President Bush's claims about the alleged ties between al-Qaeda and Saddam's Ba'athist regime in Iraq. But is this an indictment of Bush, or of the Commission? Debka examines omissions and discrepancies in the Commission's report.
Andrew McCarthy's article in NRO raises some questions as well. And
CNN reports that Tony Blair's office is standing by its position, asserting that Saddam "created a permissive environment for terrorism and we know that the people affiliated to al Qaeda operated in Iraq during the regime".
2004-06-15
Leftist Homophobia
"Members of the gay group OutRage! and the Queer Youth Alliance took part in a London demonstration May 15 urging greater respect for human rights in Palestine. they also carried signs urging the Palestinian Authority to stop arresting and torturing homosexuals, which led to friction with other demonstrators.
"When they arrived in Trafalgar Square to join the protest, the gay activists were surrounded by Islamic fundamentalists, Anglican priests and members of the Socialist Workers Party, the Stop the War Coalition and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign who called them 'racists', 'Zionists', and 'CIA and MI5 agents', according to Peter Tatchell of OutRage!. He said the gay activists were told to move to the rear of the demonstration and, when they refused, the protest organizers blocked their placards and shouted down their interviews with reporters. ..."
- Just Out (Portland, Oregon), June 4, 2004
"When they arrived in Trafalgar Square to join the protest, the gay activists were surrounded by Islamic fundamentalists, Anglican priests and members of the Socialist Workers Party, the Stop the War Coalition and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign who called them 'racists', 'Zionists', and 'CIA and MI5 agents', according to Peter Tatchell of OutRage!. He said the gay activists were told to move to the rear of the demonstration and, when they refused, the protest organizers blocked their placards and shouted down their interviews with reporters. ..."
- Just Out (Portland, Oregon), June 4, 2004
The L Word: Fascism and the Left
THE L WORD: LIBERALISM IN CRISIS
Fascism and the Left
Notice how all the leftists' arguments hinge on the idea of a devious leader (GWB) manipulating an ignorant and unthinking populace - the "sheeple", as the DU are fond of calling Americans. Think of the worldview that this attitude implies: a fundamental contempt for humanity and for democracy, and faith only in the power of a "supreme leader". This is the essence of fascism on the Left.
These people despise Bush precisely because he is NOT like Saddam Hussein; and had they the power, they themselves would strive to be like Saddam.
Fascism and the Left
Notice how all the leftists' arguments hinge on the idea of a devious leader (GWB) manipulating an ignorant and unthinking populace - the "sheeple", as the DU are fond of calling Americans. Think of the worldview that this attitude implies: a fundamental contempt for humanity and for democracy, and faith only in the power of a "supreme leader". This is the essence of fascism on the Left.
These people despise Bush precisely because he is NOT like Saddam Hussein; and had they the power, they themselves would strive to be like Saddam.
2004-06-14
Dreams Into Lightning has an Official Position on Item # 3
... and it may be found in the text of the Iran regime change petition.
You haven't signed the petition yet?
Well, what are you waiting for?
You haven't signed the petition yet?
Well, what are you waiting for?
Mideast Objectives
The same post in The Belmont Club also suggests six points that US policy should clarify in the pursuit of democracy and freedom in the Middle East:
1. The desired end state in Saudi Arabia: whether or not this includes the survival of the House of Saud or its total overthrow;
2. The fate of the regime in Damascus;
3. Whether or not the United States is committed to overthrowing the Mullahs in Iran and the question of what is to replace them;
4. How far America will tolerate inaction by Iraq security forces before acting unilaterally;
5. The future of the America's alliance with France and Germany;
6. The American commitment to the United Nations.
Hat tip: Michael in SC.
1. The desired end state in Saudi Arabia: whether or not this includes the survival of the House of Saud or its total overthrow;
2. The fate of the regime in Damascus;
3. Whether or not the United States is committed to overthrowing the Mullahs in Iran and the question of what is to replace them;
4. How far America will tolerate inaction by Iraq security forces before acting unilaterally;
5. The future of the America's alliance with France and Germany;
6. The American commitment to the United Nations.
Hat tip: Michael in SC.
House of Saud divided against itself?
The Belmont Club gives credence to Michael Doran's theory, published in Foreign Affairs, that Saudi Arabia is in a "virtual state of civil war" between two factions: that of Crown Prince Abdullah and that of his half-brother, interior minister Prince Nayef. Abdullah tilts toward pro-Western reformism, while Nayef courts the islamist clerics.
Morning Report: June 14, 2004
MORNING REPORT - JUNE 14
UN: Iran compliance "less than satisfactory". (Debka) Debka reports that United Nations weapons inspector el-Baradei finds Iran's cooperation on weapons inspections "less than satisfactory". The US is pushing for a deadline.
Arab reaction to Greater Mideast Initiative. (Iraq the Model) Now blogging from home, Omar posts more responses to the American push for political reform in the Middle East, translated from the BBC Arabic service. He reports that, predictibly, the most positive responses came from Iraq and the most negative from Palestine. The one surprise was the number of positive responses from Saudi Arabia.
Sudan: Victims of silence. (Jane Novak - Yemen Times) Bombings, crop destruction, well poisoning, mass executions, rape and torture are well-documented, ongoing atrocities in Sudan. Where, Jane asks, is the global action and outrage?
Change of tune for Saudi clerics? (Fox) Fox News reports that six Saudi clerics with former terrorist ties - including two, Safar bin Abdul Rahman al-Hawali, and Salman al-Awdah, who supported Osama bin Laden - have issued a statement condemning attacks on Westerners. The statement explicitly declared that "it is a sin to kill a life without a right, be it Muslim or non-Muslim" and warned against labeling other Muslim nations "infidels". No explanation has yet been offered as to why these six have now joined the Saudi government in opposing terrorist attacks.
UN: Iran compliance "less than satisfactory". (Debka) Debka reports that United Nations weapons inspector el-Baradei finds Iran's cooperation on weapons inspections "less than satisfactory". The US is pushing for a deadline.
Arab reaction to Greater Mideast Initiative. (Iraq the Model) Now blogging from home, Omar posts more responses to the American push for political reform in the Middle East, translated from the BBC Arabic service. He reports that, predictibly, the most positive responses came from Iraq and the most negative from Palestine. The one surprise was the number of positive responses from Saudi Arabia.
Sudan: Victims of silence. (Jane Novak - Yemen Times) Bombings, crop destruction, well poisoning, mass executions, rape and torture are well-documented, ongoing atrocities in Sudan. Where, Jane asks, is the global action and outrage?
Change of tune for Saudi clerics? (Fox) Fox News reports that six Saudi clerics with former terrorist ties - including two, Safar bin Abdul Rahman al-Hawali, and Salman al-Awdah, who supported Osama bin Laden - have issued a statement condemning attacks on Westerners. The statement explicitly declared that "it is a sin to kill a life without a right, be it Muslim or non-Muslim" and warned against labeling other Muslim nations "infidels". No explanation has yet been offered as to why these six have now joined the Saudi government in opposing terrorist attacks.
2004-06-10
Morning Report: June 10, 2004
MORNING REPORT - JUNE 10, 2004
- Ronald Reagan dies. (various) Former president Ronald Reagan died last Sunday, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He is remembered favorably for his uncompromising stance on national security, which led to the US victory over the Soviet Union in the Cold War. More problematic was his support for repressive regimes in Iraq, Iran, and Central America because of perceived American security interests.
- Banned Iraqi missile parts found in Jordan scrapyard. (AP) UN weapons inspection teams, on the trail of an Al Samoud 2 missile engine found in a scrapyard in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, discovered more than 20 banned Iraqi missile engines in a scrapyard in Jordan, according to a briefing given by weapons inspector Demetrius Perricos whose text the AP said it had obtained. The AP article says Perricos stressed the large quantity of scrap metal being exported out of Iraq.
AP: missile parts found
- Ronald Reagan dies. (various) Former president Ronald Reagan died last Sunday, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He is remembered favorably for his uncompromising stance on national security, which led to the US victory over the Soviet Union in the Cold War. More problematic was his support for repressive regimes in Iraq, Iran, and Central America because of perceived American security interests.
- Banned Iraqi missile parts found in Jordan scrapyard. (AP) UN weapons inspection teams, on the trail of an Al Samoud 2 missile engine found in a scrapyard in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, discovered more than 20 banned Iraqi missile engines in a scrapyard in Jordan, according to a briefing given by weapons inspector Demetrius Perricos whose text the AP said it had obtained. The AP article says Perricos stressed the large quantity of scrap metal being exported out of Iraq.
AP: missile parts found
2004-06-09
Sully on Reagan
Andrew Sullivan admired Reagan's brand of conservatism. In recent posts, he defends Reagan's record on homosexuality and AIDS.
Hitch on Reagan
No fan of Ronald Reagan, Christopher Hitchens still wonders why so many leftist "intellectuals" feel they need to prove themselves smarter than Reagan - and whether they, had they been in power in Reagan's place, could have brought about the defeat of the Soviet Union as effectively as he did.
US Warns Syria
Debka announced today that the US had issued a "sharply worded" warning to Syria to call in its troops and Hezbollah fighters operating in Iraq, or else face serious consequences.
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