In Pursuit of Perfection

US Permanent Military Presence in Iraq

Majority of Country Still Favors Timetables for Withdrawal

I just found this very interesting.  To compare what people in the country say they want, in relation to what we hear on the talk/news/opinion shows they say we want.  Of course, there are many ways to "interpret" these polls.  However, I'm reminded that in terms of everyday ordinary people, Americans are not so far apart.  We're constantly told that our neighbor is our enemy, but in reality, you and your neighbor are probably working toward some of the same goals.

Interesting. From Gallup

McCain '08: Like Hope, But Different.

More Views from the War on Iraq

So I was checking the stats for this weekend over at the Afrospear when I came across an incoming link that I did not recognize.  After a few clicks of backtracking, I came across the following article.   I've stated before that we will not realize all of the evils, and I use that word deliberately, to come from this illegal war of aggression.  It will take years.  However, some evils are staring us in the face right now.

CNN did the original reporting.  They ran an interview with several Iraqi women who have turned to prostitution as a way to support their families.The anonymous blogger over at The Cunning Realist posted on this as well as Helen Boyd who writes (en)Gender.  My politics do not appear to align with either of these writers, but my sense of disgust, anger, and shame do.  Thanks to each of you for continuing the conversation.  We should not be able to skip over issues like this so easily.

I have a couple of thoughts before you head over to the original video and subsequent articles:

• What can we do to lift the image of our nation so that we can feel proud again to call ourselves Americans?  Or do you still feel proud today?  In earnest, I struggle with feeling good about America knowing what I know today.

• We are destroying other nations and peoples for the sake of what we've been told is our personal security.  We're impoverishing people and taking the natural resources of their nations for our own purposes.

• Is this what we're planning to do to Iran?  If I we're an Iranian husband reading these things about America, I'd want a nuke as soon as possible too.

If you've got a conscience, this is going to bother you:

clipped from www.myhusbandbetty.com What Men Do Posted in s.e.x.,  feminism on August 28th, 2007 In the ‘astonishing, but not surprising’ category: CNN does a report on Iraqi women who have ended up prostituting themselves due to the war, asking sometimes as little as $8 a day. The point of course was to do a human interest story, or a feminist story, or a reality of war story, but some guy, dick in hand, instead wants to know if it’s true & how he can get in on the action. Another comments: You are a fortunate man to find ass here in the IZ so quickly. I live here and it took me 4 months to get my connections. We have a PSD team contact who brings us these Iraqi cuties but dangerous it is. Now that’s class. Don’t keep reading that message board if you’re an actual person with actual compassion, please. There are days guys wonder why women hate them en masse. This is why, sensitive New Age guys. Please do something about these fuckwads & then get back to me about your problems. (via The Cunning Realist.) 19 Comments »

Not Again!

MoveOn.org

Guantanamo Unclassified

-Gen. Jay Hood, former Gitmo Cmdr, Jan. 2005

History: A Patient Teacher

I've mentioned before that I drive truck for a living.  As such, I listen to a lot of talk radio.  XM satellite radio to be exact.   I own 3 receivers and never go anywhere without one!  But I digress...

Opinions.  Everybody's got one.  Like elbows and...other body parts.  And that's what our 'news' sources today mostly represent.  Opinion, spin, carefully crafted perspective.  Real investigative journalism has gone the way of the newspaper.  We like our news like we like our food -- fast.  Give us two pundits, two guests, and 30 seconds on the clock!  The winner?  The loudest, fastest talker with the most colorful turn of phrase.  We don't let facts get in the way of our news here.

Enter history.  The perfect teacher. Always has available office hours.  Classes offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.  Didn't get a passing grade?  No problem.  History will just send you the same lesson in another form.  History has time on it's side.

Exhibit A.

Experience is a dear teacher, but fools will learn at no other. Benjamin Franklin