Letters to the Editor
omooex
Published Letters: 977 Editor's Choice: 5
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Bamage
[Read the article: What can and cannot be spoken on television]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]No prob. I thought it was something like that...
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Silash
[Read the article: Fred Kagan on Monday: "The civil war in Iraq is over"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I doesn't seem like your point and that of Glenn are mutually exclusive. If Kagan does want to be considered an eminent authority on this conflict, he should understand that the upheaval there is not strictly contingent on ethnic tensions. That is one 'civil war', to put things incredibly simply. One aspect overlooked by US media, for the most part, is that the government has no credibility and is considered a tool of the occupation. It makes sense that tension will erupt into violence at that flash-point too whenever the conditions are favorable. What you are seeing in Iraq is what usually happens to colonial-construct countries that are suddenly jolted out of strong-man rule. The fissures erupt on various lines, all contiguous, it is a horrible mess, and it lasts until so many people have died as to render the factions exhausted and meaningless (at least for a generation). The point that Kagan can pronounce the 'civil war' over, because violence declined slightly for a few months, is the lamest thing imagineable for someone claiming to be an expert.
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Silash
[Read the article: Fred Kagan on Monday: "The civil war in Iraq is over"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Seems to be stretching an argument that is basically reasonable. In fact, this is exactly how Kagan will probably defend himself. Wielding logic like a blunt instrument, it works, as long as you parse out the nomenclature and divorce ALL of the turf wars going on in Iraq to simply a generic sunni vs. shia fight. Under those terms, no one has proved that THE civil war hasn't ended. Kagan could--and probably will--argue as much.
My only point is. This is way too much tempest for such a finely filtered tea. Silash, actually, AGREES with Glenn.
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Michael Diveroli
[Read the article: Fred Kagan on Monday: "The civil war in Iraq is over"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I read that article this morning. Apparently--or so I gathered, reading through not so many lines, since the younger Diveroli became president of that company at the tender age of 18, the company must have been a shell for the elder Diveroli. I googled him quickly and found very little except that he'd done some biz with FEMA and for Hurricane Katrina with his company, WorldWide Tactical (and that he had tried to sell a diaper plant).
Here is the intro to World Wide Tactical's Website:
"Here at Worldwide Tactical LLC we are dedicated to providing you with the highest quality riot gear and tactical clothing at the best possible price."
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Stop the Bullshit
[Read the article: Bush and McCain's shared foreign policy approach]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]That's a classic line. Apparently, no one has ever thought of this in the last 50 years of post-colonial civil war. All you have to do is sit the two sides down and tell them to 'stop the bullshit'. And the UN all this time with that diplomacy mishigas--what a bunch of maroons.
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Military Fetishism...
[Read the article: Bush and McCain's shared foreign policy approach]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]One thing I don't like about the posts here, is the sort of rah, rah thing for the troops. I know people aren't going to believe this (since they also don't believe that I am Colombian-Palestinian, and lived through the first two years of the current Intifada in Palestine), but my son just joined the Marines. I wasn't able to stop him. Part of it was the Bruckheimer-esquie colors and heroic narratives that permeated the culture that he grew up into. Part of it was the rural area where he grew up, and the elders on his mother's side, who are all native american and all served in the military during Vietnam. Part of it is also this 'support the troops' thing that seems virulent even among progressives.
I can't think of one thing I'd support about my son's involvement in this catastrophe. I was in Ramallah when Israeli troops were at the gates, and even after when I left, I watched with horror, as Israeli tanks crushed cars and destroyed buildings, mostly for sport. Those were my friends cars, those buildings housed the restaurants and businesses that I frequented. They held my friends hostage in their own homes. In my mind, all those men and women who were involved with that are monsters. I support nothing about what they did; how could I support our troops now, when things are even worse.
The troops don't deserve health care, they don't deserve better pay, they deserve none of these things because they are involved in the murder and decimation of a people. They should never have volunteered to begin with--they should have gone to jail to avoid going. I just can't imagine what kind of common ground I'm going to have with my son when he comes back (if he comes back) from having participated in the murder of brothers and sisters in Iraq.
And the worst thing is this support the troops, they are heroes bullshit. They are criminals, even if they are related to us. We have to stand up for what's right, not for the confines placed on us by our so-called representatives in the Democratic party.
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Gordon
[Read the article: Bush and McCain's shared foreign policy approach]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Not sure...I saw too many things go on in Palestine for me not to see him like those Israeli soldiers that I hate. We're going to be in two different universes on this one.
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PDA
[Read the article: Bush and McCain's shared foreign policy approach]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Its given me a unique perspective.
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Idea for an ad...
[Read the article: Michael Mukasey's tearful lies]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I come from a fairly conservative (vying with apathetic) town, so I have good feel for what pisses off the mainstream conservative and center-rightist. One thing I think would really hit home is the money angle--the telecoms were taking money from the government to spy on you, while they were TAKING MONEY FROM YOU AND SPYING ON YOU. Did they even give you a discount for providing sub-standard service (that is, completely disregarding your privacy and selling your secrets to the GOV'ment)? Have they even offered to do that now, as a gesture of good faith? A spying-rebate, even? But they expected you to pay your bill on time every month, by gum! Add to that the constant anger always bubbling to the surface regarding being swamped by bills, overcharges, hidden fees etc., I'd say that's the way to go on this one...