While on that same topic....

NOTE: The post below is mine (Peter). The wireless network at the house is on the fritz, and Xanth (my 15-year old son) was still signed in. While I'm sure he would agree with these points, I don't want his mom to bust him for dropping the F-bomb.

The topic--Missing the Point.

America's dumbest president gets off the plane from brush-clearing and headed to a fundraiser and then back to brush-clearing to tell us that whatever happened in Britain was:

"a stark reminder that this nation is at war with Islamic fascists who will use any means to destroy those of us who love freedom, to hurt our nation."

George, George, George...

First of all, we are not AT WAR. We are OCCUPYING Iraq, but we are not AT WAR (if you disagree, PLEASE 1) identify the "enemy" and 2) identify the "objective." If you can't do that, from Sun Tzu to Clausewitz, shut the fuck up)

Secondly, I can also hardly find a more laughable term than "IslamoFASCISM." Fascism suggests extreme nationalism and an identity with the corporate state. Hmm, I see no NATIONALISM given these are not nation-states, And "FASCISM?" The identification of the corporate state with the polity? Hardly here (but George--see "Halliburton.").

And of course, this has NOTHING to do with OUR FREEDOMS. It has to do with international arrogance, and yes, lessons unlearned from Viet Nam and the "fall" of the "Soviet Union."

Lessons unlearned, where should I begin?

1) Be honest with your citizenry (read Barbara Tuchman's The March of Folly) Admittedly, the American electorate is not comprised of rocket scientists (DocMagoo excepted) but eventually they catch on.

2) You can't bomb people into liking you.

3) Overwhelming military force cannot change fundamental realities on the ground.

And how about INTERNATIONAL ARROGANCE?

"They" don't give a damn about our "freedoms"--honestly, I wonder if we do.

They care about OUR POLICIES. They "care" about us invading an Arab country without provocation. "They" "care" about us supporting repressive regimes in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. "They" care historically about our support of the Shah, who in terms of abusive dictators, made Hussein look like the shallow end of the pool. "They" care about our unconditional support of Israel, having pissed away our role as "honest broker." "They" care about Abu Ghrahib and Gitmo and 14-year old girls raped and killed.

But what do "they" know?