Tag: diplomacy

National Security, Anti-Americanism, The “War on Terror” and new methods in public diplomacy

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Don’t Let Him Die Easy

The Moussaoui verdict is a victory not for him, but for justice overall. He was originally alleged to be the 20th terrorist on the 9/11 flight crew, in which case he would have ultimately found his salvation in his sudden death aboard one of the doomed aircraft.

I’ve always thought life in prison to be a far harsher sentence than the death penalty. Either way, guilt will only be absolved with death, but in the case of a life sentence, it will be preceded by years of torturous suffering in isolation. Not that I’m a fan of torture, but to give Moussaoui a death sentence would essentially be releasing him of his guilt.

It must be understood the jihadist culture does not share the same “eye for an eye” sentiment as is understood in most sectors of Judeo-Christian culture.

And now, back to my harrowing final projects or school!

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The “Old Man” is Getting On

Neil YoungThere’s been a bigtime buzz in the air since last week’s news that Neil Young is to release a “war” album including a track titled “Let’s Impeach the President.”

Wait no longer, the sneak peak is here in full, and apparently it’s a must-hear.

Revealed in today’s New York Times:

Critic’s Notebook: Neil Young’s ‘Living With War’ Shows He Doesn’t Like It
By JON PARELES

Mr. Young’s new album, which is available to download for free online, is irate, passionate, obstinate and definitely worth a click.

The Canadian-born Young told the Times:

“If you impeach Bush, you’re doing a huge favor for the Republicans,” he argued, speaking by telephone from California. “They can run again with some pride.”

They can run, but they can’t hide.

Young’s official website is streaming Living With War, the Living With War Blog has extended coverage, including a CNN interview.

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U.S. Plans ‘Second Liberation’ of Baghdad

a carbomb Sunday left at least 10 deadToo over-the-top to be true? In fact its the most hilarious and disturbingly not-parodied headline story in Sunday’s Times UK (tip via Blairwatch).

THE American military is planning a ?second liberation of Baghdad? to be carried out with the Iraqi army when a new government is installed. […] Strategic and tactical plans are being laid by US commanders in Iraq and at the US army base in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, under Lieutenant- General David Petraeus. […] The battle for Baghdad is expected to entail a ?carrot-and-stick? approach…

This must be an extension of Bush’s infamous “Fool me once… can’t get fooled again” doctrine (video).

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Post: Iraqi Reporter Killed in Controversial ‘Mosque’ Raid

Kamal Manahi AnbarA 28-year-old reporter, enrolled in the London-based Institute for War and Peace Reporting was one of the casualities of the March 26th raid by Iraqi and U.S. troops that killed at least 16.

“All that he was carrying was a notebook,” a friend of the victim, Kamal Manahi Anbar, told the Washington Post.

The Pentagon reported that insurgents were killed and captured in the raid and U.S. military photos show several armed victims, while al-Iraqiya television aired photographs of unarmed civilians slain at a mosque.

Jonathan Finer and Naseer Nouri’s report on A12 of Saturday’s Post is the most complete account of the raid and is a necessary follow-up read for everyone who, like myself, was utterly confused by the conflicting reports of the attack.

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Also of note in the much-ignored Saturday papers, is this article in the Los Angeles Times by H.G. Reza. The story sucks you in the moment you read this deck:

The airport worker enjoyed Hollywood’s club scene. His hand was found chained to the steering wheel in Iraq’s deadliest attack.