Quick Takes

When I wake up I wonder what I'll write about, but after I read the news the main question is how to limit myself.

For instance, I read a piece like this where 59 former diplomats oppose John Bolton representing the US at the UN. Could there be a better reason for supporting Bolton? His opponents tend to be internationalists who support the UN so solidly they're willing (willing?--happy) to put up with ferocious racism, permanent protection of dictators, and treaties and rules that weaken America. I'm in favor of working with others, but not on our knees. State Department types have already caused enough trouble with our foreign policy, let's move forward.

Then there's tiresome Robert Novak, still making a fool of himself on Iraq. His latest screed claims we can't wait to bug out of Iraq. For over a year anti-war drones have been claiming we're gonna pull out soon for political reasons, but the mission has always been clear and the Administration has always been stalwart. Well, keep saying it, Robert, sooner or later it'll be true. Novak pretends any time we leave will mean the dashing of neocon plans, rather than their fulfillment. It'll be great if we can downsize in Iraq, not proof we've failed. The most sickening thing is he ends his article tipping his hat to the insurgents, as if they're the ones who drove us out, not their failure that allows us to leave. When enough people spread this kind of nonsense, it encourages terrorists worldwide.

On the front page of the Los Angeles Times is a feature on the Reverend Jim Wallis, who's a social conservative but against the war. Great, the worst of two worlds. Needless to say, he's popular on both sides of the aisle. I often disagree with Republicans and Democrats, but it's when they get together on something that I really get scared.

I note that the judge in the Michael Jackson case will allow the jury to hear past allegations of abuse, due to a 1995 law "designed to boost convictions of sex offenders." Allowing old, unproven, highly inflammatory testimony would do that. So would allowing prosecution witnesses to commit perjury.

The Times also has a predictable editorial from Adam Shatz of The Nation, who's very worried that anyone would think anything Bush is doing can possibly be helping democracy anywhere in the world, no matter what those involved claim. He focuses on Lebanon and even notes that US involvement is counterproductive, as long as we're seen supporting Israel. There's a point here--the Arabs do have an insane hatred of Israel. The proper solution is to have them wake up and realize Israel is not the problem (and a lot of this will be helped by a movement toward democracy where the Arabs will realize they are in control of their destiny)--unfortunately, the solution of many at The Nation is to give in to bigotry and support the lie.

I suppose that's enough for today. See you tomorrow.