All posts by Rand Simberg

War Commentary

Asymmetric Diplomacy

Much has been made of the asymmetry of the war, but until now, no one except Dr. Krauthammer has explicitly pointed out the diplomatic asymmetry. Why indeed should we have to continue to demonstrate our religious tolerance, in light of the continually-demonstrated religious intolerance in the Middle East?

Imagine if 19 murderous Christian fundamentalists hijacked four airplanes over Saudi Arabia and, in the name of God, crashed them into the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, destroying the holy Kaaba and killing thousands of innocent Muslim pilgrims. Could anyone doubt that the entire Christian world — clergy and theologians, leaders and lay folk — would rise as one to denounce the act? Yankee Stadium could not hold the trainloads of priests and preachers, reverends and rectors — why, even rabbis would demand entry — that would descend upon a mass service of atonement, shame, ostracism and excommunication. The pope himself would rend his garments at this blasphemous betrayal of Christ.

And yet after Sept. 11, where were the Muslim theologians and clergy, the imams and mullahs, rising around the world to declare that Sept. 11 was a crime against Islam? Where were the fatwas against Osama bin Laden? The voices of high religious authority have been scandalously still.

War Commentary

From The Duuuuhhhhhhhh File

Reuters reports that the US State Department has issued a warning today to travelers that “it was not a good idea to travel to Afghanistan right now because of war, banditry, political instability and an acute food shortage…”

Dang, they just blew my vacation plans right out the window. And I had such good fares, too…

Uncategorized

It’s The Dictator, Stupid!

Instapundit points out this article in the New Republic by Michael Rubin, which makes a couple interesting points about the situation in Iraq. First, that US sanctions aren’t starving Iraqis–Saddam is (as though anyone with half a brain didn’t already know that, but it’s nice to see the evidence laid out compellingly).

But what’s even more interesting to me is that, considering that it was actually written in June, months before the Current Unpleasantness, it also provides ample reason to think that if we were to provide Iraq with the same disinfectant treatment that we’re presently giving Afghanistan, that the populace there would be just as supportive. Just as the people least unhappy about bombing Afghanistan seem to be Afghans, I suspect that when (not if) we start to pound on Saddam, the wails and choruses of woe will come not from the Iraqis, but from outside Iraq. Hopefully, by spring, Saddam and his minions will have good cause to ask, “Why do they hate us?”

Uncategorized

It’s The Dictator, Stupid!

Instapundit points out this article in the New Republic by Michael Rubin, which makes a couple interesting points about the situation in Iraq. First, that US sanctions aren’t starving Iraqis–Saddam is (as though anyone with half a brain didn’t already know that, but it’s nice to see the evidence laid out compellingly).

But what’s even more interesting to me is that, considering that it was actually written in June, months before the Current Unpleasantness, it also provides ample reason to think that if we were to provide Iraq with the same disinfectant treatment that we’re presently giving Afghanistan, that the populace there would be just as supportive. Just as the people least unhappy about bombing Afghanistan seem to be Afghans, I suspect that when (not if) we start to pound on Saddam, the wails and choruses of woe will come not from the Iraqis, but from outside Iraq. Hopefully, by spring, Saddam and his minions will have good cause to ask, “Why do they hate us?”

Uncategorized

It’s The Dictator, Stupid!

Instapundit points out this article in the New Republic by Michael Rubin, which makes a couple interesting points about the situation in Iraq. First, that US sanctions aren’t starving Iraqis–Saddam is (as though anyone with half a brain didn’t already know that, but it’s nice to see the evidence laid out compellingly).

But what’s even more interesting to me is that, considering that it was actually written in June, months before the Current Unpleasantness, it also provides ample reason to think that if we were to provide Iraq with the same disinfectant treatment that we’re presently giving Afghanistan, that the populace there would be just as supportive. Just as the people least unhappy about bombing Afghanistan seem to be Afghans, I suspect that when (not if) we start to pound on Saddam, the wails and choruses of woe will come not from the Iraqis, but from outside Iraq. Hopefully, by spring, Saddam and his minions will have good cause to ask, “Why do they hate us?”

Political Commentary

Camelot Redux

Guess I spoke a little too soon yesterday–the Washington Post did run their obligatory JFK-death anniversary story, with all the usual foofaraw about “lost youth and promise,” with the bonus, this year, of attempting to put it in the context of what happened on September 11. They failed, in my humble opinion.

Still, I think there was a lot less attention paid to the anniversary this year than in any previous year–possibly just because it got crowded out by falling on Thanksgiving, but also, I think, because of the dramatic change in the national mood this year. Not to imply that they necessarily have that much in common, but both peace protests and JFK worship seem passe this fall.

Thanks to Glenn Reynolds who, in picking up on my comment yesterday, brought it to the attention of Best of the Web. My first (and hopefully not last) appearance there. Even though it’s indirect, they spelled the URL right, so it can’t hurt traffic. I’m curious to see just what kind of spike I get.