Monthly Archive for February, 2007

Bob Woodward Regrets Not Spying on Iraq

Published
by
Brent Logan
on 2/28/2007
in Iraq
. 5 Comments

Bob Woodward recently urged reporters to take more time investigating stories. For example, reporters should have taken more time to investigate and debunk Bush’s claim that Iraq had secret weapons.

“We should have been much more aggressive,” Woodward told a conference in Tokyo.

“I’ve thought what I could have done,” he said. “The only way to find out if (weapons of mass destruction) really existed is to get on the ground.”

But he said the round-the-clock deadlines of the modern media were hampering investigative journalism. (Source)

Yeah, that and Saddam, who continued to refuse U.N. weapons inspectors free access to suspected weapons sites. But a well-placed cadre of journalist spies sneaking through Iraq’s “presidential palaces” and military sites might have alerted the world that Iraq didn’t have WMDs, contrary to conventional intelligence opinion at that time.

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The ultimate Duke lacrosse player

Published
by
Brent Logan
on 2/28/2007
in Asides
. 0 Comments

The ultimate Duke lacrosse player.

Hillary vs. Rudy, Part II

Published
by
Brent Logan
on 2/28/2007
in Politics
. 0 Comments

From the Boston Globe:

President Clinton’s pardons have been a political issue for Hillary Clinton because of her ties to a number of the cases. In addition to the people who paid her brothers, those receiving pardons included commodities trader Marc Rich, a fugitive who was prosecuted for tax evasion by then-US Attorney Rudolph Giuliani and fled to Switzerland. Rich was pardoned after his former wife, Denise Rich, contributed heavily to Hillary Clinton’s Senate campaign.

Sometimes, the past comes back to haunt us. Looks like Halloween is coming early for Hillary.

Via Michelle Malkin.

Is Your Blog Available in China?

Published
by
Brent Logan
on 2/28/2007
in Asides and Blogging
. 0 Comments

Does China block your blog? Find out.

Senator Gordon Smith Answers

Published
by
Brent Logan
on 2/28/2007
in Politics and War
. 0 Comments

Letter from Senator Gordon Smith

When I took the NRSC pledge, I also e-mailed Senators Gordon Smith and and John McCain with my concerns about the pending Senate vote opposing the surge. Senator Smith replied with his position on the Iraq War:

I believe the United States should have a mission in Iraq that focuses our military on maintaining the territorial integrity of Iraq, denying international terrorist a safe haven, conducting counterterrorism operations, promoting regional stability, and training and equipping Iraqi forces to take full responsibility for their own security.

Sounds good. Basically, that sounds like winning the war to me. However, in true politician form, Senator Smith continues:

Recently, President bush announced his plan to increase U.S. troop levels by 21,500. I oppose this surge in troops, fearing it will be no more successful than the three previous surges. We serve no American interest further shielding Iraqi political leaders from making the hard political decisions which, if made, will lead to lasting peace. These decisions involve revenue sharing from oil, civil rights for minorities, and a federalist structure that fairly includes Kurds, Sunnis, and Shiites. Once made, peace is possible.

What part of “maintaining the territorial integrity of Iraq, denying international terrorist a safe have, conducting counterterrorism operations, promoting regional stability, and training and equipping Iraqi forces to take full responsibility for their own security” would not be improved with the increase in troops? Is there not an internal inconsistency within Senator Smith’s letter?

I also believe it is important we support our troops when they are on the battlefield.

On this, we agree.

Shift Happens

Published
by
Brent Logan
on 2/27/2007
in General
. 0 Comments

From glumbert.com via Hugh Hewitt.

[tags]glumbert, shift happens[/tags]

John Edwards’ campaign is clueless

Published
by
Brent Logan
on 2/27/2007
in Asides, Blogging and Politics
. 0 Comments

John Edwards should fire “Bob.”

Jesus’ remains found?

Published
by
Brent Logan
on 2/26/2007
in Asides, Blogging and Religion
. 0 Comments

Ben Witherington writes about the Talpiot tomb.

Traditional Alpine Mountaineering

Published
by
Brent Logan
on 2/26/2007
in Asides
. 0 Comments

Traditional Alpine Mountaineering is a source of information for climbing mountains and traveling in the alpine back country, including the 10 essential systems to carry.

News flash: Pentagon makes plans!

Published
by
Brent Logan
on 2/26/2007
in Rants and War
. 0 Comments

Feb 24, 2007 — NEW YORK (Reuters) - Despite the Bush administration’s insistence it has no plans to go to war with Iran, a Pentagon panel has been created to plan a bombing attack that could be implemented within 24 hours of getting the go-ahead from President George W. Bush, The New Yorker magazine reported in its latest issue. –Source

Is this a surprise? Is this even news?

Making a plan does not equate with intending to follow the plan. Sometimes plans are created to see whether an action is feasible. If the plan requires unavailable resources, then the action cannot be successful. That’s useful information to have.

Sometimes plans are created in advance of an threat or opportunity so that when the triggering event occurs, no time is wasted in responding. Again, planning in advance is useful.

I wouldn’t be surprised in we had plans to invade Canada. I would be surprised if we had present intention to implement them.

I think I’ll go plan what to do when I win the lottery.