Wrong Paul!

(sorry. lost my head.)

Excellent. The LA Times isn't all bad.

re: #2 Happy4LA

Excellent. The LA Times isn't all bad.

yep. even a blind hog finds an acorn every now and then...

It's not that the Times couldn't be better and more balanced...it's that they choose not to be.

Interesting.

Is it me, or is it really happening that the MSM is coming around, stepping out of their lunacy?

Perhaps their medication is now finally starting to work?

Boot's got it right on every issue here.
Which is why you probably won't see this in the MSM anywhere.

Guys got an "academic" approach to flipping coins. He says he can guess the future in Iraq; because "proposals" are discussed to "get out," without leaving the USA with an "abject failure."

Folks, anybody can draw up lists! Heck, "self-help" programs have you doing this ALL OF THE TIME.

But if you'd prefer a history lesson, you could take one from General Douglas MacArthur; who refused all of Truman's offers to "come home from Japan, for a parade." INSTEAD. MacArthur moved his wife and son TO Japan. And, stayed there for five years.

When the "powers" who thought they were gonna remain in charge, in Japan, cooked up a "constitution," it fell on MacArthur's desk. HE RIPPED IT UP! And, then he took out a yellow pad. And, "made a list."

One of the first issues the Japanese public voted on, had to do with killing women who were found to be adulterous. A COMMON PRACTICE IN THE OLD JAPAN!

MacArthur made a ballot choice: Either BOTH MEN AND WOMEN are killed for adultery; or neither. Guess what the PEOPLE picked?

I'd bet a lot of the "upper crust" in Japan (who hadn't committed Hari-Keri, were pissed off. To say the least.) But Japan evolved. It went from a savage state; where it had been the savages in the Pacific for 700 years. To "quite nice." Really. Really. Nice.

As to what we're doing in Irak. I've got a better question. WHAT ARE WE DOING IN GERMANY! They need peace keepers, still?

I think Irak will be the same. They're competitive with Saudi Arabia, when it comes to the size of the oil fields where it's EASY to extract the oil. (No wonder the Saud's keep opting for more real estate.)

As to policy wonks, Like Boot. Great for creating toilet paper. These clowns are NOT elected! Sure, they give elected officials heart burn. But that's because the Internet hasn't applied it's own BOOT, yet.

As to choices, the ones I like has our military learning at every turn. You'd be surprised how much better we are, today, than when we started.

Even the "clownish" Homeland Security, with money to burn, has managed to keep us SAFE. Sure. They use a wide net. Everyone going to an airport to fly, anyplace, is treated like a terrorirst.

But ya know what? NOTHING KEEPS AMERICANS AWAKE LIKE THE REALIZATIONS THEY GO NO FREE PASSES.

In Irak FOR THE LONG HAUL. Even better, if we can keep a majority of Americans into believing it's suicidal to let Bonkeys anywhere near the levers of power. Don't laugh.

good vid

Please excuse my ignorance - who is Max Boot?

Hitch has a good piece up today, too, at Slate.
Foolish myths about al-Qaida in Mesopotamia.

Right on target.
Correctly states that the USA politicians will paint the Sept. report to pander to supporters.
Bottom line is we must open new fronts in Iran and Syria, but we need help from the rest of the "Free" world as well as the Arabs , Russia and China.

Successful Surge Is Dems' Dilemma

Democratic senators visiting Iraq have seen for themselves that President Bush's surge strategy is working. But their party has so much invested in losing this war, they're muffling the good news.

How very sad.

Interviewed from Iraq, Illinois Sen. Richard Durbin, the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate, last week admitted that our forces are "making real progress" there.

The progress must be a lot better than even we suspected if Dick is saying that.

According to the Associated Press, freshman Sen. Robert Casey, D-Pa., who accompanied Durbin to Iraq, said in a conference call with reporters last week that a good argument could be made that U.S. troops have actually won the war in Iraq.

Yet Casey also told CNN last week that he was still right to have voted against the surge.

"The problem here," he said, "is that the president of the United States continues to insist on a stay-the-course policy, no change in direction, no sense that the American people can determine that there's a light at the end of the tunnel."

Figure that one out.

#10 sandspur

Yeah, Max Boot? Who he?

Great name tho'.

re: #14 SorenK

[Link: www.latimes.com...]

Max Boot's LATimes Bio.

#13 Geepers

Lemme guess.
After pandering to the Kos and DU nut jobs for cash and primary votes, the Dems are suddenly going to drop ha.f their insanity to pander for the general election. That way they can lie to ALL the people instead of just 1/2,

You know what's wrong with the Dims, especially the lib ones, besides being godless, miserable and unhappy?

What kind of party is dependent upon (1) the economy tanking, (2) the military losing and (3) maximizing inept government dependency?

Even when they win, they're still losers.

I look forward to reading this article.

re: #16 hous bin pharteen

Hous, I posted yesterday that what the Dems do is "pander" to groups of voters that make up blocks. 5% here (Elderly, scaring them by stating that the Repubs want to "destroy" Medicare) , 5% there (African Americans by telling them only the dems care for them), 5% wherever (the far nutroot left, telling them that only the Dems can get us out of Iraq because they reaaly do care for the troops) . Thos groups added up, gets the Dems 50% +1.

#19 sattv4u2

Yup.
Thats pretty much what they do.

hous bin pharteen (#16),

That's about right.

"I was actually for the war before I was against it."

Sound like you want to have it both ways.

"Of course not! I'm firm on my convictions! It's the Republicans that want to 'Stay the course.'"

WASHINGTON (AP) Republicans waver on Iraq. Democrats stand firm on their position.

Mr. Boot knows whereof he speaks.

re: #11 sandspur

Great Link sandspur-- just a a real concise reason to fight on in Iraq I think can't be repeated enough:
We can not only deny the clones of Bin Ladenism a military victory in Iraq, we can also discredit them in the process and in the eyes (and with the help) of a Muslim people who have seen them up close. We can do this, moreover, in a keystone state of the Arab world that guards a chokepoint—the Gulf—in the global economy. As with the case of Afghanistan—where several provinces are currently on a knife-edge between an elected government that at least tries for schools and vaccinations, and the forces of uttermost darkness that seek to negate such things—the struggle will take all our nerve and all our intelligence. But who can argue that it is not the same battle in both cases, and who dares to say that it is not worth fighting?
from [Link: www.slate.com...]

Here is his contentions bio: [Link: www.commentarymagazine.com...]

re: #10 jamgarr

Please excuse my ignorance - who is Max Boot?

[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

I remember Max Boot used to be the op-ed contact at the Wall Street Journal about 8 or so years ago. I saw him speak on a panel at the Union Square Barnes & Noble a month or so after September 11th 2001 with Bernard Lewis upon publication of his book 'What Went Wrong' along with John Esposito, noted Islam apologist from George Washington Univ.

C-span was taping with Lou Dobbs moderating and the sound technician screwed up so it never aired. Pity, it was quite a good and necessary discussion. Lewis and Boot were outstanding.

A good regional brief, but while correctly identifying the role Syria is playing vis Iraq, he then fails to suggest why we are playing along with their claimed innocence along the Iraq border nor does he factor in the Syrian heavy hand in the deliberate destabilizing of Lebanon - given the key Iranian connection in both cases this would have provided a more complete picture

Did anyone catch Boot's little joke at the last 7 seconds about the Council on Foreign Relations and "one world government"? What a wise guy, for this will certainly pop up on nutty websites almost immediately.

productive

re: #26 Colin Nelson

A good regional brief, but while correctly identifying the role Syria is playing vis Iraq, he then fails to suggest why we are playing along with their claimed innocence along the Iraq border nor does he factor in the Syrian heavy hand in the deliberate destabilizing of Lebanon - given the key Iranian connection in both cases this would have provided a more complete picture

Why are we playing along with Syria and Iran? He said he didn't know. I don't know either.

...just had this conversation the other day, Iran is at war with us, whether we admit it publicly or not...that day will come when it's obvious, at that *we* are at war with them...the day when the bombing starts...the day we kill Ahmadinejad...

Who is Max Boot?

[Link: www.cfr.org...]

[Link: www.latimes.com...]

[Link: www.latimes.com...]

[Link: www.latimes.com...]

===

Max ain't half bad at what he does, in spite of his employment by LATimes. There have been times where I've suspected Max is our own Cognito, (noting the last article I linked.)

Given his history backround, I think he's just a bit better than flipping coins for answers. Sometimes, (noting that video), he's even correct.

EIGHT
BALL,
R

This will part of a strategy change from the Democrats.They tried to crush Georg Bush with the war and it failed so now they will tout the progress and say that they only they opposed the war was because it was a quagmire.Now that it is succeeding they will have to change their opinion or it will be political suicide during the election.Hillary will be first to say that she always wanted success in Iraq and only wanted to remove the troops because of Bush's incompetence.
Have you noticed that the media is softening it's Iraq has failed style of reporting?
Pissing on the war is no way to become a Commander in Chief.
Obama is sinking in the polls.
Hillary doesn't need to worry about pissing off the Sheehan Code-Pinkers because she knows that it's vote for her or waste their vote.Of course they will vote for her.

re: #21 Geepers

"I was actually for the war before I was against it."

Next it will be:

"I was against the war until we got the President to change his failed policies, which resulted in our succesful transistion over to Iraqi peacekeepers".

I can't wait.

very interesting. I still don't believe that the MSM is coming around or even removing their head from their...well' you know. I think that in two months the MSM will be spinning the success of the surge as the result of the left wing. Just a thought.

The only reason the Dem's can play their cards this way is the complete ignorance of most of our USA citizens.

I am sure most of you experienced what I did in Walmart Friday.

I am chatting with another fisherman and he states that he did 20 in the Army.

I said he should be proud and that I appreciated his service.

Next he started to rant that Bush has taken us to Iraq just to get their oil.

Need less to say we parted and agreed to disagree.

He walked away shaking his head and clearly thought I was misinformed.

I got a kick out of how he is puzzled at why we don't respond to Iran and Syria's involvement in Iraq as if he alone has figured out they are heavily involved in the insurgency.
It's like yeah...no f*cking sh*t Einstein.Thanks for the clue.
He left out the fact that the Democratic led Congress and Senate have been so treasonous in regards to the war as well as the majority of the MSM that Bush had no political capital to spare on a new war front.They would have impeached him.
The media has made Iran's involvement in Iraq a non-story and won't touch it.The Democrats were screaming for dialogue With Iran and Syria.For crissakes Pelosi even went to Syria in an excruciatingly embarrassing effort to weaken the President.Ahmadinejad has capitalized on the President's diminished influence because he believes he has allies in Congress.He's playing with fire.
We offered to slap Iran down when they kidnapped the British sailors and Marines but that opportunity passed.We have three aircraft carrier strike groups in the region and they're not there to pick daisies.Just recently Bush has issued a warning to Iran openly and by name.I believe if he wasn't worried about the traitorcrats in the Congress he would have sent Iran a cruise missile love note by now.We could take that fool (Ahmadinejad) out in ten minutes but even he knows right now ,politically speaking that Bush's hands are tied.
That's gonna change.

re: #6 JRHelgeson

Is it me, or is it really happening that the MSM is coming around, stepping out of their lunacy?

Perhaps their medication is now finally starting to work?

I think that they are reading their internal polling numbers, and they have to change their tune if they want a Democrat elected. The surge is starting to work in Iraq, and the MSM will want to be supporting the actions, hoping that the folks that buy their "crap" will have very short memories.

#30 Texas Joel. Thanks, I missed it.

Just always seem that we get little good int on who is doing what in Syria and for whom.

Max Boot also has a recent book titled 'War Made New' for those who are interested in technology and war

The "latest" information (or gossip), is that congress will attempt to hold Patreaus' report IN SECRET. Sans cameras.

Whatever they doo-doo, however, there's still the Internet. And, the prices politicians with tin ears will eventually pay.

It's pretty obvious we're not 'walking away' from Irak. As long as Bush is President. And, then, what happens to the Bonkeys ahead? They may come out looking like one huge caravan accident?

I don't bet the future.

But the experiences our military is gaining now, is much greater than any of the lessons learned, before. Including WW2. Because we're not going back to that "old" theater. In the future? The places we need to approach will be just like Irak. In terms of heat. And, the backwards nature of lots of those who dwell there.

Oil's not going to go away as an "issue," either. Given that some cities are built with buildings that are so tall, there's no way up or down, without electricity. (Including Dubai's new "adventure"). Where's it gonna come from?

And, we expect a lot now, from our military. Unlike WW2, where you could send out raw recuits; the military spends FORTUNES on training. It's another reason you want to keep troops ALIVE. So they can fight another day.

The other thing you'd notice? UP the chain of command, is responsibility. Not just for the USA. Israel, too, now, is going through its "growing pains."

By the way, the pressures from the press, and the Bonkeys, is not lost. It puts pressures where they should be put. On Maliki, and his elected gang of elites; who haven't figured out, yet, how to steal Irak, the country. Not for lack of trying. Just "no success" there, either.

I think the Internet is what's HOT. Men like Charles Johnson, and Drudge, unique characters. Pulling in millions of people, who are sorting these things out.

re: #12 dogg

Right on target.
Correctly states that the USA politicians will paint the Sept. report to pander to supporters.
Bottom line is we must open new fronts in Iran and Syria, but we
need help from the rest of the "Free" world as well as the Arabs ,
Russia and China.

Here's my bet: NO CHANCE.

Forget "allies." In WW1 & WW2, we got them, because we joined "late."

If anything, we now know the press is a failure. The media industry as a whole is "consolidating" (under Murdoch), to survive.

And, the Internet is right on top!

Michael Yon's columns get linked at Glenn Reynolds. (Where it's interesting to note that Afghanistan is sliding backwards. Because of the drug dealers.) It's always been a mecca for heroin and opium traffic. Not quite up to innoculating their kids against polio. Diseases are as intrenched as they're "local" tribal behaviors and customs. It's a mess. Just like the drug traffickateers, all over, are. Some day I hope we just legalize them all out of business.

Irak's a real country. And, while it will take longer than it took to turn Japan away from savagery. We're on the right road. Israel owns an advantage in the Mideast because of language skills. And, because they play for keeps when they fund the Mossad.

That's where we have big gaps. The drug lords, as well as the Saudis, can by the local shits in DC. We haven't found a way to operate against them, yet.

I think we'll see more and more Democrats and MSM slowly change their tune. The rhetoric might be fine in regional congressional elections, but McGovern type, anti-war mongering isn't going to help them win the Presidency.

Max

Max Boot is just another "pundit." Trying to find a way "into" the public's hearts and minds. But look at all the layers of garbage?

As to his claim "that he doesn't understand why we're not at war with Iran, or Syria," you get to see the main problems with the press. If it's not wanting one war, it's wanting another.

But I can answer his questions.

We're not at war with Iran, because Iran is at war with itself. And, it's only a matter of time, before the collapse sets in. For the Soviets? There were lots of professionals who were clueless. So, ditto, the same, for Iran.

As to Syria, the reason we're not at war with them, is the same reason Israel used when it turned down Condi. And, James Baker. NOW is NOT THE TIME to give the Saud's any more Mideast real estate.

Syria's run by a louse? You bet. ALWAYS WILL BE! But things would be worse if we killed Assad, and put the stinking Saud's in charge!

Pundits. Keep in mind you know more than they do.

Am I the only one who thinks the audio at the end of the video (after the screen goes dark) is absoo-freakin'-hilarious?

re: #36 dogg

The only reason the Dem's can play their cards this way is the complete ignorance of most of our USA citizens.

I am sure most of you experienced what I did in Walmart Friday.

I am chatting with another fisherman and he states that he did 20 in the Army.

I said he should be proud and that I appreciated his service.

Next he started to rant that Bush has taken us to Iraq just to get their oil.

Need less to say we parted and agreed to disagree.

He walked away shaking his head and clearly thought I was misinformed.

This is one of the dimmest of the liberal dimbulb arguments, a mere slogan with absolutely no thought behind it.

Every American citizen lives a life that's powered (literally and figuratively) by oil. It would be completely negligent of an American president not to attend to the stability of his country's main oil supply.
Out of the eighteen very good reasons to invade Iraq, making sure its oil did not fall into the hands of terrorists is not to be sneezed at by any THINKING American. Some of the reasons for invading were altruistic, some self-serving, but oil was a win-win situation for both the American and the Iraqi people. The ideas was always that we continue buying the oil at world prices but now the proceeds would spread beyond a kleptocrat's bloody hands. As it happens, it would have been cheaper for Americans to buy the oil from Saddam like the shameless French and Russians than conduct a war freeing his people. So there's the altruism.

Mid-East oil was worthless until Western technology developed a need for it, carried the costs of exploring for it, discovering it under camels, and developing it with the permission of the head camel jockeys, paying them so much money for the privilege, that they have become undeservedly wealthy, choosing not to share that wealth with their people as is the tribal mentality. Instead, they have used that wealth to export Wahhabi Islamism creating terrorist mayhem around the world. Meanwhile, truly shameless Arabs claim the West is "stealing their oil". We should be so lucky. We're the kind of "thieves" who build you a mansion where your hovel used to stand and pay you for the privilege!

The same economically illiterate morons who cavalierly dismiss the importance of protecting Mid-East oil supplies are also against any movement toward energy self- sufficiency except self-impoverishment. They veto Alaskan drilling, prioritizing a handful of caribou. They veto nuclear energy (the slavish imitators of Europe have suddenly found one thing they don't want to imitate). They make up fanciful projects such as Kyoto and inefficient recycling/windmills/carbon credits all of which boil down to a big transfer of funds from the US to the 3rd wold, including China, with the concomitant drop in the American standard of living.

All of this is impossible to get across to someone standing in Walmart, surrounded by shelves that are going to be half empty if he gets his foolish foolish way and his President ignores the need for oil. I'll bet you anything he didn't walk to Walmart either, but drove home, fuming the entire way about YOUR ignorance!

re: #41 Carol Herman Um, it's Iraq, not Irak. Just thought you'd like to know.

re: #46 siiras

I like the way you think.

re: #27 wiles

lol, I was thinking... only those who made it through to the very end got the very funny suprise. Well worth listening to the whole thing for the levelheaded analysis of course, but but that was like a bonus prize lol.

re: #45 vexare

certainly cracked me up big time lol

re: #47 realwest

re: #41 Carol Herman Um, it's Iraq, not Irak. Just thought you'd like to know.

I do IRAK on purpose!