Those who are so certain they know how history will judge George Bush—or any other president, for that matter—show their ignorance of history itself. It’s not just that contemporary perceptions of a leader are often quite different from their evaluations … Continue reading →
Patrick Desbois is a French priest with a special calling: he has dedicated himself to documenting the mass murders of Ukrainian Jews by the Nazis during World War II, committed in the days before the efficiency of gas chamber and … Continue reading →
I’ve got an essay up at PJ today entitled “Finessing the Surge,” about politicians staking out a position on the current situation in Iraq. In my essay, I mention that they keep referencing that tragic image of helicopters attempting to … Continue reading →
Michael Hirsh has a column in Newsweek that must be read to be believed. Channeling Alfred (“What, me worry?) E. Neuman, Hirsh takes the loooong view of history, arguing that our withdrawal from Vietnam “worked.” After all, Vietnam isn’t doing … Continue reading →
“You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you,” is a quote attributed (apparently incorrectly?) to Leon Trotsky. Whether or not he actually said it, it seems true. And getting truer all the time—at least the … Continue reading →
[This is a repeat of a post that first appeared here on June 10, 2006. I thought in light of the post I wrote today, it could bear repeating.] I was rummaging around the house where I’m staying, looking for … Continue reading →
A year comes round rather quickly, and once again it’s the anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Nagasaki followed three days later, and Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945. To date these two bombs remain—astoundingly enough, … Continue reading →
When the Europeans came to this continent, it was already inhabited by millions of indigenous peoples, originally and (erroneously) called “Indians” by the invaders, and later known by the more PC term “Native Americans” (although, just to confuse things even … Continue reading →
Today is the Fourth of July, our Independence Day. Although the focus is on fireworks and barbecues—a tradition I intend to perpetuate this evening—deep down, this particular holiday is really about American history. John Adams, one of our founding fathers, … Continue reading →
Recommended reading on a Sunday: this article by Barry Casselman, comparing Bush and his new proposals for the Iraq war to the situation Lincoln faced in the spring before the 1864 election. Bush, Lincoln–huh? you say. Well, read it. Casselman … Continue reading →
Yesterday I wrote about the limitations Congress might face in opposing a “surge” of American troops in Iraq if–as rumor would have it–such a surge is part of Bush’s new Iraq policy to be unveiled next week. Today I read … Continue reading →
It has been announced that Saddam Hussein was executed by hanging a few hours ago. I’m not a death penalty fan. But I’ve always realized that there are some situations in which execution seems only appropriate. A trial of Adolf … Continue reading →