Dean calls me out
Dean Esmay has publicly called me out. And when Dean calls me out, that means I need to step up to the plate. And take a swing. And stop making stupid puns, and instead predict who’s going to win the … Continue reading →
neo
Iraq: federalism and/or bust?
The Iraqi Parliament has passed a law allowing for the establishment of federal regions in Iraq. This isn’t the sort of thing that makes good sound bites or titillating headlines. Its real effect on the course of history in Iraq … Continue reading →
Daniel Pearl’s killer: all the perfumes of Arabia
Remember Daniel Pearl? His kidnapping and brutal murder in the winter of 2002 sent shock waves throughout this country, back in a time when we were still relatively shockable. The still shots released of Pearl during his captivity reinforced the … Continue reading →
Clearing out the closets
Just now I’ve been trying on clothes in preparation for a very exciting trip I’m planning to take in about nine days (more about that when the time comes; I like to retain my aura as a woman of mystery). … Continue reading →
Between the Scylla of dictatorship and the Charybdis of anarchy, Part II: North Korea
North Korea is a country formed by a war that never ended. Pacifists are fond of saying that war never solves anything. I beg to differ–war, for example, solved the problem of Adolf Hitler and German expansionist aggressiveness, although at … Continue reading →
Between the Scylla of dictatorship and the Charybdis of anarchy: Russia
I’m with Winston Churchill when he said that democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others. Truly democratic states, with guarantees of human rights and freedom of speech, press, and religion, are precious and yet rare … Continue reading →
North Korea joins the nuclear club
North Korea is somewhat of an informational black hole. But apparently even black holes may give off a few emissions now and then. Yesterday was one of those times for North Korea, which claims to have successfully accomplished an underground … Continue reading →
The Sanity Squad goes to Washington
Another week, another podcast. This time the Sanity Squad takes on Congress, in particular the Foley scandal, and the Squad doth not its punches pull. (And if I sound a bit disconnected on this podcast, let me just drop the … Continue reading →
Subways: a token
I’m in New York City for the weekend, the town where I was born and raised but don’t visit all that much any more. It seems to me there are more people here than ever. Whether that’s true or just … Continue reading →
Steve Beren, changer extraordinaire: Part II
[Part I of my interview with McDermott challenger Steve Beren can be found here. We take up the second half of the interview shortly after 9/11, when Beren had become convinced that the unity the country faced was temporary and … Continue reading →
Steve Beren, changer extraordinaire: from Socialist to Republican
When I read that ultraliberal Jim McDermott‘s eminently safe seat in the mostly-Seattle 7th District of Washington was being challenged by a Republican who was actually attempting to mount some sort of viable campaign, I was intrigued. And I was … Continue reading →
One small step for Neil Armstrong: the wheels of justice grind slow, but they grind exceedingly fine
It’s been a long time coming, but vindication is finally here for astronaut Neil Armstrong. That’s actually–ahem–Neil A. Armstrong. Don’t forget that A, like Armstrong did! Except it turns out he didn’t forget it, he just spoke it too quickly … Continue reading →