tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post8011952953865941712..comments2024-03-28T21:41:52.558-04:00Comments on The Elephant Bar: How McCain Wins Pennsylvania. Race Matters.Deuce ☂http://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-90357430252744997472008-11-02T15:10:00.000-05:002008-11-02T15:10:00.000-05:00Justin Logan at Cato:...But evaluating McCain's fo...<EM>Justin Logan at Cato:<BR/><BR/>...But evaluating McCain's foreign policy positions reveals a candidate consistently dedicated to confrontation, threats, and the use of military power.</EM><BR/><BR/>As opposed to endless diplomatic "initiatives", sanctions that don't work. The statement itself is questionable on its face, but I don't have time or inclination to fisk it.<BR/><BR/>Were it up to me, I'd state a doctrine, identify consequences, and fast forward to decisive <EM>use of military power.</EM> Delete "threats" and substitute "promises". Confrontation is unavoidable, unless you favor appeasement.linearthinkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05201292791445921817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-74643659495611370062008-11-02T11:26:00.000-05:002008-11-02T11:26:00.000-05:00US deaths in Iraq plunge to wartime low in October...US deaths in Iraq plunge to wartime low in October<BR/> Email this Story<BR/><BR/>Oct 31, 6:41 PM (ET)<BR/><BR/>By ROBERT H. REID<BR/><BR/>(AP) Iraqi army soldiers check an Iraqi car at a check point in the Abu Dshir district of Baghdad, Iraq,...<BR/> <BR/><BR/>BAGHDAD (AP) - U.S. deaths in Iraq fell in October to their lowest monthly level of the war, matching the record low of 13 fatalities suffered in July. Iraqi deaths fell to their lowest monthly levels of the year. Eight of the 13 Americans died in combat, most of them in northern Iraq where al-Qaida and other Sunni insurgent groups remain active. The U.S. military suffered 25 deaths in September and 23 in August.<BR/><BR/>In Afghanistan, meanwhile, 15 U.S. military deaths were reported for October. The monthly toll in that combat theater had been in the 20s since June, when 28 Americans were killed - the worst one-month total since that war began in late 2001.<BR/><BR/>The sharp drop in American fatalities in Iraq reflects the overall security improvements across the country following the Sunni revolt against al-Qaida and the rout suffered by Shiite extremists in fighting last spring in Basra and Baghdad.<BR/><BR/>But the decline also points to a shift in tactics by extremist groups, which U.S. commanders say are now focusing their attacks on Iraqi soldiers and police that are doing much of the fighting.<BR/><BR/>Iraqi government figures showed at least 364 Iraqis killed in October - including police, soldiers, civilians and militants.<BR/><BR/>Despite the sharp decline, the Iraqi death toll serves as a reminder that this remains a dangerous, unstable country despite the security gains, which U.S. military commanders repeatedly warn are fragile and reversible.<BR/><BR/>[...]<BR/><BR/>364. Not bad.trishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14139410627244875589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-58368971725371182008-11-02T11:19:00.000-05:002008-11-02T11:19:00.000-05:00Justin Logan at Cato:Few U.S. presidential electio...Justin Logan at Cato:<BR/><BR/>Few U.S. presidential elections have been decided on the basis of foreign policy. For the first time in decades, however, both parties have fielded candidates who have chosen to emphasize their foreign policy views.<BR/><BR/>With many Americans regretting the consequences of the Bush administration's foreign policy, a relatively large number of voters are expressing interest in the topic. Accordingly, it is worth examining the candidates' views on the subject to attempt to determine what their foreign policies would look like.<BR/><BR/>Republican John McCain, with his long stint in national politics, has attempted to frame the foreign policy issue around the question of experience. But evaluating McCain's foreign policy positions reveals a candidate consistently dedicated to confrontation, threats, and the use of military power.<BR/><BR/>Democrat Barack Obama, a new face on the national scene, has chosen to emphasize the need for change in the way in which U.S. foreign policy is conducted. Obama has called for more focus on diplomacy, less on military action, and an end to the "politics of fear." However, an examination of Obama’s advisers and policy ideas makes it clear that Obama is anything but a non-interventionist.<BR/><BR/>In the end, both candidates have significant flaws in their foreign policy ideas. Yet McCain's approach seems likely to amplify and repeat the errors of the Bush administration. A President McCain would promise more provocation, more intervention, and more strain on the military, the budget, and the country.<BR/><BR/>(Link to pdf.)<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>"...Obama is anything but a non-interventionist." Seldom appreciated, but true, so far as we can gauge.<BR/><BR/>It is also fair to assume that once in office either candidate will play contrary to (campaign) type, as presidents do - paraphrasing someone - whatever it is they deem necessary in the instance. I certainly would not bet that an Obama presidency will be uneventful in the foreign policy realm.<BR/><BR/>I once said that all Obama would have to do to best GWB on foreign policy is to avoid stepping in the big shit. But there's plenty of big shit out there to be stepped in and with a whole host of Clinton retreads on board, the opportunities are endless.trishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14139410627244875589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-66733288964802512402008-11-02T10:52:00.000-05:002008-11-02T10:52:00.000-05:00From blog.foreignpolicy.com:This autumn, an ancien...From blog.foreignpolicy.com:<BR/><BR/>This autumn, an ancient trade route that crosses the disputed Kashmiri border between India and Pakistan opened after being closed 61 years ago, when the two countries broke free of the British Empire. Many hope the opening of the trade route, in a bitterly disputed Himalayan region, will boost the economy on both sides of the “Line of Control” that divides the territory. In the photo above, the first truck carrying goods from the Pakistani side rumbles across the bridge to the Indian side.<BR/><BR/>For Kashmir's artisans, famed for their rugs, copper bowls, and other handicrafts, the opening of the trade route is a sign of hope.<BR/><BR/>[...]trishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14139410627244875589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-70841666157530738012008-11-02T10:34:00.000-05:002008-11-02T10:34:00.000-05:00You shoulda been there last night, Doug: A dance f...You shoulda been there last night, Doug: A dance floor full of middle-aged men in dress mess Gettin' Jiggy With It. TELL ME that is not worth the entire defense budget and I will send you the film. <BR/><BR/>Priceless. Just effing priceless.trishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14139410627244875589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-38304972100801361212008-11-02T10:15:00.000-05:002008-11-02T10:15:00.000-05:00Solar stocks are making a comeback. That's good ne...Solar stocks are making a comeback. That's good news to me. <BR/><BR/>New elections in Israel with right of centre coalition in the lead. That's good news to me. <BR/><BR/>Europe and now China are electrifying their car fleets. That's good news to me. <BR/><BR/>But America is still addicted to oil and is spending $2 trillion a year on that addiction.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11132252460964519368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-80755669831420758612008-11-02T10:07:00.000-05:002008-11-02T10:07:00.000-05:00As Taliban Overwhelm Police, Pakistanis Hit BackSH...<A HREF="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/world/asia/02pstan.html?hp" REL="nofollow">As Taliban Overwhelm Police, Pakistanis Hit Back</A><BR/><BR/>SHALBANDI, Pakistan — On a rainy Friday evening in early August, six Taliban fighters attacked a police post in a village in Buner, a quiet farming valley just outside Pakistan’s lawless tribal region.<BR/><BR/>The militants tied up eight policemen and lay them on the floor, and according to local accounts, the youngest member of the gang, a 14-year-old, shot the captives on orders from his boss. The fighters stole uniforms and weapons and fled into the mountains.<BR/><BR/>Almost instantly, the people of Buner, armed with rifles, daggers and pistols, formed a posse, and after five days they cornered and killed their quarry. A video made on a cellphone showed the six militants lying in the dirt, blood oozing from their wounds.<BR/><BR/>The stand at Buner has entered the lore of Pakistan’s war against the militants as a dramatic example of ordinary citizens’ determination to draw a line against the militants.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-80151052534887193662008-11-02T09:02:00.000-05:002008-11-02T09:02:00.000-05:00NEWS FLASH: Just got some numbers on two rallies t...NEWS FLASH: Just got some numbers on two rallies that occurred here in Williamsport PA yesterday!<BR/>Sarah Palin was at one of our baseball fields,, Joe Biden was at the Lycoming college.<BR/>Biden spoke on campus at 2pm,,, Sarah was at the stadium at 7:30.<BR/><BR/>Sarah Palin had 13,000 and Biden at approx 700!!<BR/>Woot!!!<BR/><BR/>JellyToast on October 31, 2008 at 7:43 AMBobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-15011975257971883812008-11-02T08:59:00.000-05:002008-11-02T08:59:00.000-05:00Barack and the Boogie Pimps<A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRiiZ5M0_TQ" REL="nofollow"> Barack and the Boogie Pimps </A>Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-87385872031155315842008-11-02T06:03:00.000-05:002008-11-02T06:03:00.000-05:00We've learned heaven is at least partially made ou...We've learned heaven is at least partially made outta music. Good song, there Doug.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpN-8bUxlFo" REL="nofollow">Like A Rock</A>Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-49735392360769124902008-11-02T05:53:00.000-05:002008-11-02T05:53:00.000-05:00You're supposed to say, "Goodnight, Chet"You're supposed to say, "Goodnight, Chet"Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-50864193050554730162008-11-02T05:27:00.000-05:002008-11-02T05:27:00.000-05:00I MEAN IT LABOB!...wait til tommorrow!Doug's World...I MEAN IT LABOB!<BR/>...wait til tommorrow!<BR/>Doug's World Changer,<BR/>You'll see!<BR/>...if not, it's 'Rat's fault for postin that Buffet.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-37879098725456831892008-11-02T05:25:00.000-05:002008-11-02T05:25:00.000-05:00Tall tall trees<A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1gRxqzEVbQ&NR=1" REL="nofollow">Tall tall trees</A>Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-2239413061341411252008-11-02T05:24:00.000-05:002008-11-02T05:24:00.000-05:00Good ol' Labob, always ready with a helping hand, ...Good ol' Labob, always ready with a helping hand, Doug.<BR/><BR/>"I will change the world", he says.<BR/><BR/>Only a fool could say that and mean it. Change the entire world. The Greeks called this hubris.<BR/><BR/>The world changes, but slowly. Human nature not at all, that we know of, though it can be softened around the edges, over time, and that takes patience. <BR/><BR/>Technology changes the world, for better or worse. And Obama doesn't have a science degree.<BR/><BR/>Well, nothing good will come of it.<BR/><BR/>Goodnight, David.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-65536797715449337932008-11-02T05:21:00.000-05:002008-11-02T05:21:00.000-05:00Litty Bitty<A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFBc__RCDp0&NR=1" REL="nofollow">Litty Bitty </A>Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-16553090518085894732008-11-02T05:20:00.000-05:002008-11-02T05:20:00.000-05:00...maybe a little more Buffet....maybe a little more Buffet.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-85304134489531689012008-11-02T05:19:00.001-05:002008-11-02T05:19:00.001-05:00...back to work....back to work.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-8113866364204823502008-11-02T05:19:00.000-05:002008-11-02T05:19:00.000-05:00Thanks, LaBob.No thanks to the rest of you SOBS.Go...Thanks, LaBob.<BR/>No thanks to the rest of you SOBS.<BR/>Go Ahead, give the country away!Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-70564546340592671472008-11-02T05:16:00.000-05:002008-11-02T05:16:00.000-05:00Remember When<A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y4NTXT96EM" REL="nofollow">Remember When</A>Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-11471669970396668842008-11-02T05:07:00.000-05:002008-11-02T05:07:00.000-05:00It's Five O' Clock Somewhere<A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib8nH4kHjxk&feature=related" REL="nofollow"> It's Five O' Clock Somewhere</A>Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-64163410412320888322008-11-02T03:49:00.000-05:002008-11-02T03:49:00.000-05:00I think it is a pole shift, not a time change:)You...I think it is a pole shift, not a time change:)<BR/><BR/>You can start at <A HREF="http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/015/197wxqsf.asp?ZoomFont=YES" REL="nofollow">Obama's Hyde Park Home</A>, Doug.<BR/><BR/>Not at all like a grass shack in Hawaii:)<BR/><BR/>Then compare and contrast to brother Obama in Kenya and Auntie Zaitima in Boston.<BR/><BR/>"I'm not my brother's keeper, or my Aunt's either."Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-33374350985393293902008-11-02T03:42:00.000-05:002008-11-02T03:42:00.000-05:00Where's my links, you lazy SOB's?...I'm going back...Where's my links, you lazy SOB's?<BR/><BR/>...I'm going back to WORK!<BR/><BR/>The nation's <BR/>FATE IS IN YOUR HANDS!<BR/>Start Typin!Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-79669976201530064622008-11-02T03:40:00.000-05:002008-11-02T03:40:00.000-05:00HAPPY FACE<A HREF="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/11/02/world/02mexico02-190.jpg" REL="nofollow">HAPPY FACE</A>Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-69392945714036710452008-11-02T03:38:00.000-05:002008-11-02T03:38:00.000-05:00It's the GOOGLESPHERE,LaBob:Evil trick to distract...It's the GOOGLESPHERE,<BR/>LaBob:<BR/>Evil trick to distract me from my quest to rid this land of the evil Obamanation.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-83312252484888063472008-11-02T03:36:00.000-05:002008-11-02T03:36:00.000-05:00Columbian Cocaine!It's Trish's Fault!Supporting th...Columbian Cocaine!<BR/>It's Trish's Fault!<BR/>Supporting them Narco-Fascists and forcing my girl into a life of crime!Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.com