Mama said there’d be days like this. And, you know what? Mama didn’t lie. Oh, actually, today wasn’t so bad. It’s just that when I was about to start working on today’s post at my computer, the power went out. … Continue reading →
The excellent Callimachus has expanded on some of the points in this post of mine, about those who think Bush lied concerning WMDs in Iraq. Callimachus tackles a subset of this group, those who say Bush didn’t lie–well, not exactly, … Continue reading →
Dr. Sanity has a post that’s well worth reading, on the topic of identification with the aggressor–how it begins as a normal process in childhood, enabling a child to manage threats and anxiety, and how it sometimes morphs into the … Continue reading →
As promised, I’ve got more to say about Moby Dick. Just think of it as that essay I struggled with in high school, redux (and, by the way, I’m still struggling). I prefer to state the question about the symbolism … Continue reading →
Many have looked to the possibility of reform of the Moslem religion for the best hope of avoiding a coming conflagration. After all, the other monotheistic Abrahamic religions have all grown and changed over time; why not Islam? Alexandra of … Continue reading →
Sigmund, Carl, & Alfred recently put Gerard Van der Leun on the couch. As could have been predicted, the results are well worth reading. Following the rule of threes, the three analysts (SC&A, speaking with one voice, as “they” always … Continue reading →
The ever-perceptive Victor Davis Hanson’s National Review column yesterday dealt with some issues discussed recently on this blog concerning Iran (hat tip: Soxblog). He first sets up the seriousness of the Iranian situation, and then goes methodically down the list … Continue reading →
On this thread from yesterday, an interesting discussion is ensuing concerning what could–or should–be done about Iran’s nascent nuclear arsenal. But one point I haven’t seen mentioned there, and which troubles me greatly, is the fact that intelligence has it … Continue reading →
If I don’t write all that often on Iran, it’s certainly not due to a lack of concern about what’s happening there. Au contraire; I believe Iran is of extreme importance and danger to the world. It’s just that we … Continue reading →
It seems to be an almost inevitable part of the ritual of the Haj, despite all the efforts (and they’ve been considerable) of the Saudi government to prevent it: a stampede that kills large numbers of pilgrims. I wrote this … Continue reading →
Back when I was a young mother in my early thirties, still looking to “find myself” careerwise, I hauled myself down to Boston to the Johnson O’Connor Foundation, which was housed in a beautiful old brownstone on Beacon Avenue. There … Continue reading →
Well, Churchill or Orwell he’s not. But Robert Frost isn’t too bad with the quotations, either–even some political ones (see here and here.) I never dared to be radical when young for fear it would make me conservative when old. … Continue reading →