I’ve finally gotten around to adding some long-overdue space blogs to the blogroll. I’ve also moved some of the dead links to the AWOL list. Finally, I created a new category, called “Futurism/Transhumanism.” The only blogs I have there now are The Speculist and Future Pundit, but if anyone can think about others (or space blogs I’ve missed) let me know.
All posts by Rand Simberg
On The Radio
I’m going to be on The Space Show this evening, along with my webmaster, Bill Simon, talking about the July 20th ceremony, and other space-related topics. It starts at 7 PM Pacific, 10 Eastern, for an hour on the radio, and some additional time streaming, until 8:30 Pacific.
“2006 Was 1943”
The success of the surge. And the continuing efforts of the Dems and the media to make Iraq into another Vietnam.
[Afternoon update]
Max Boot has to educate Henry Kissinger on the fact that Iraq is not Vietnam:
Skilled diplomacy can consolidate the results of military success but can seldom make up for its lack. In Iraq, there is scant chance that any American legerdemain can convince internal factions like the Jaish al Mahdi or Al Qaeda in Iraq, or outside actors such as Iran and Syria, that their interests are congruent with ours. While the U.S. pursues stability and democracy, our enemies are merrily capitalizing on mayhem to carve out spheres of influence and bleed us dry.
The only thing that could conceivably alter their calculations is a change in the balance of power on the ground. That is what Army Gen. David Petraeus is trying to achieve. But he is being undermined by incessant withdrawal demands from home, which are convincing our enemies that they can wait us out. Only if the other side faces the probability of defeat — or at least stalemate — can negotiations produce a durable accord.
“2006 Was 1943”
The success of the surge. And the continuing efforts of the Dems and the media to make Iraq into another Vietnam.
[Afternoon update]
Max Boot has to educate Henry Kissinger on the fact that Iraq is not Vietnam:
Skilled diplomacy can consolidate the results of military success but can seldom make up for its lack. In Iraq, there is scant chance that any American legerdemain can convince internal factions like the Jaish al Mahdi or Al Qaeda in Iraq, or outside actors such as Iran and Syria, that their interests are congruent with ours. While the U.S. pursues stability and democracy, our enemies are merrily capitalizing on mayhem to carve out spheres of influence and bleed us dry.
The only thing that could conceivably alter their calculations is a change in the balance of power on the ground. That is what Army Gen. David Petraeus is trying to achieve. But he is being undermined by incessant withdrawal demands from home, which are convincing our enemies that they can wait us out. Only if the other side faces the probability of defeat — or at least stalemate — can negotiations produce a durable accord.
“2006 Was 1943”
The success of the surge. And the continuing efforts of the Dems and the media to make Iraq into another Vietnam.
[Afternoon update]
Max Boot has to educate Henry Kissinger on the fact that Iraq is not Vietnam:
Skilled diplomacy can consolidate the results of military success but can seldom make up for its lack. In Iraq, there is scant chance that any American legerdemain can convince internal factions like the Jaish al Mahdi or Al Qaeda in Iraq, or outside actors such as Iran and Syria, that their interests are congruent with ours. While the U.S. pursues stability and democracy, our enemies are merrily capitalizing on mayhem to carve out spheres of influence and bleed us dry.
The only thing that could conceivably alter their calculations is a change in the balance of power on the ground. That is what Army Gen. David Petraeus is trying to achieve. But he is being undermined by incessant withdrawal demands from home, which are convincing our enemies that they can wait us out. Only if the other side faces the probability of defeat — or at least stalemate — can negotiations produce a durable accord.
Feckless
Bill Richardson might be good on space policy, but I sure don’t want him responsible for our national security:
ROBERTS: but there’s no indication that they want to get together and no indication that the international participants want to get involved, as well.
GOV. RICHARDSON: no, but you use the leverage of our withdrawal and you engage diplomacy to almost force them to get in there. get iran and syria in there. my point is all these other candidates are still talking about, even though we’ve had 160,000 troops, they’re still ready to leave 50,000 troops behind. i don’t. i move them out, deploy them around the region for contingencies, into afghanistan, so there is a difference in our approach, and i believe i got that out in the debate last night and some of your poll tested video groups have been good.
As Kathryn points out, way to go. Hand the place over to the terrorist-supporting enemy regimes that have been destabilizing it.
Another Inconvenient Truth
As Glenn notes, National Socialism was socialism, unhappy though leftists might be when it’s pointed out.
Space Linky Love
Ferris Valyn has the latest edition of his space diary up, with a lot of links, and discussion of the conference. Also, yesterday, I failed to mention the latest edition of the Carnival of Space over at Music of the Spheres.
News I Can’t Use
Starbucks is increasing their prices.
I don’t think that I’ve ever given them a dime of business. If I did, I was purchasing something for someone else. I don’t even drink coffee. As I’ve noted in the past, if I were the market, there would be no Starbucks (and the economies of several tropical countries would be devastated).
A lot of Freepers seem to agree. Even the coffee drinkers. I like this proposal:
We need a $10 federal excise tax on Starbucks
News I Can’t Use
Starbucks is increasing their prices.
I don’t think that I’ve ever given them a dime of business. If I did, I was purchasing something for someone else. I don’t even drink coffee. As I’ve noted in the past, if I were the market, there would be no Starbucks (and the economies of several tropical countries would be devastated).
A lot of Freepers seem to agree. Even the coffee drinkers. I like this proposal:
We need a $10 federal excise tax on Starbucks