Ehavoc's Solipsistic Universe

The New Global War On Terror

In response to criticism about the term "war on terror" being to vague and not really encompassing our current struggle the Bush Administration in concert with the Pentagon has decided to rename our current war on terror as "war on extremism".  After all, as numerous commentators, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Richard Meyers, have pointed out terrorism is a battle tactic and not a specific ideology.   With the experience of such name changes as "weapons of mass destruction related activities" and "anybody in the administration convicted of a crime will be dismissed" behind us we are confident that the current name change will reflect our ability to sew confusion into the media and populace, and distinguish acts of terror committed by this government our military from acts of terror committed by Islamic extremists.

It is in order to avoid this confusion the "War on Terror" has been renamed the "War on extremism".  Notice that this extremism we are declaring war on is the Islamic type, Christian extremism and market capitalist extremism are not under attack here and are still actively encouraged.  We want it clear that we are in conflict with the enemies of democracy that are hostile to us, and enemies to democracy that are still our friends (i.e. Vladimir Putin, Hosni Mubarak, the House of Saud, et. al.) will not be subject to our attacks (military, economic, or verbal taunts).

That is all.  Please return to your regularly scheduled two minutes of hate.   

McCullough’s Latest

I really enjoyed reading David McCullough’s latest book 1776. As in his previous effort John Adams, Mr. McCullough does a masterful job of using letters and journals to tell the story of the time (It was interesting to note that Mr. McCullough started both books with a horse ride; in John Adams it was Adams’ ride to Philadelphia via, George Washington’s headquarters in Cambridge, to be part of the Continental Congress that would sign the Declaration of Independence and in the current effort it is George III’s ride to address Parliament on the subject of the rebellious American Colonies in October 1775 (okay, it was a carriage ride but still)).   The current book tells the story of the rebel American army in the year of the title, from the forcing of the British fleet out of Boston harbor, to the disastrous New York campaign, and the surprise American victories at Trenton and Princeton.  It is neat to learn about some of the more obscure American Generals, such as Lee (who rivaled Washington for influence), Greene (the youngest American general at only 33 years of age) and General Putnam or “Old Put” (commander of the Connecticut contingent and an ancestor of yours truly).  Mr. McCullough brings these figures to life in their own words from their letters.  Along the way some of the things that have been taught in history classes are dispelled (Nathan Hale, although brave, probably shouldn’t have been sent as a spy because his personality was to open and that the Hessians attacked by the Americans on the day after Christmas in Trenton weren’t drunk).  If I have any criticism of the book it is that it is too short.  Just when the tide is turning, and the Americans have won the battles of Trenton and Princeton the book comes to an abrupt halt.  I would have been happier with a longer book that covered the whole war.  I don’t know if Mr. McCullough is planning to continue the tale in other volumes or not, but if he is I would have been happier (and richer) if he had included it all in one tome.

Graffito Scrawled On Gates Of Eden

Nothing is sweeter than the forbidden fruit

From the tree you shouldn't be seen to climb

But when nothing else seems able to suit

It is only sweeter for committing the crime

And while sucking its juice does sate

The fact remains, that you did betray

You really didn't have a choice to make

The serpent will always have his way

The Albatross In The White House

The choice of a prince’s ministers is a matter of no little importance; they are good or not according to the prudence of the prince.  When they are competent and faithful one can always consider him wise, as he has been able to recognize their ability and keep them faithful.  But when they are the reverse, one can always for an unfavorable opinion of him, because the first mistake that he makes is in making this choice.

Niccolo Machiavelli

The Prince

Chapter 22

Mr. Bush is nothing if not loyal to his friends. His standing by Mr. Rove as the evidence mounts that he did indeed reveal classified information to reporters is proof enough of this.  And it may only to add to his problems

Despite the attempts of Republicans and Republican surrogates at Jedi mind tricks (Ken Mehlman:”[Karl Rove] has, in fact, been exonerated by information that's came out this week”) the American public doesn’t seem to be buying it.  The ABC News poll shows that only 25% of Americans believe that the White House is cooperating with the special prosecutor.  And if he is guilty even Republicans think he should go (at least 7 out of ten do).  Even the announcement of a Supreme Court nominee only fueled speculation that the President was trying to change the subject (too bad he can’t send the Air Force to bomb Iraq, oh wait never mind that’s been done).

I say let him keep Mr. Rove in his administration as long as he wants.  Even if he is forced to resign his position, he won’t stray too far from the President’s ear.  In his White House office he is an albatross around the President’s neck.

A tip of the beret to Billmon and Kos for some links