Category Archives: Agora

Glimmers

… of hope: Former deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage has told an Australian newspaper that he believes the Iraqis will soon ask the US to leave their country. This would certainly moot the fatuous “cut and run” talk—but would … Continue reading

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Patria

My fellow Americans: If you really love your country, you wear a flag lapel pin, just like our President does. If you don’t wear one … well, we can draw our own conclusion. Question of the day: Can you name … Continue reading

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Control

Somewhere in America recently, there was a conference on international strategy. After presentations by three scholars, the floor was opened to questions from the audience. After ten or so, this: “My question to the panel is, What is the path … Continue reading

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InstaPudhead

Why I don’t read InstaPundit. (I know you’ve been dying to know.) I don’t bother with Mickey Kaus either. That guy’s always on the verge of making sense, but never really does. Wait a minute—if I start listing all the … Continue reading

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Smile

One of these men is leaving Iraq in a matter of minutes. Can you tell which one?

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Clarity

In his review of Cobra II, Andrew Bacevich encapsulates the inherent contradiction of the Iraq invasion as concisely as I’ve seen anywhere: Rumsfeld’s grand plan to transform the US military was at odds with the administration’s grand plans to transform … Continue reading

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Irony

The US has killed Zarqawi. What does it mean? From the Independent: US forces in Iraq said the killing was a major victory. “We killed him, and it’s always great when you can remove someone that has caused this much … Continue reading

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Neighbors

Memorable lines come flying unbidden … Something there is that doesn’t love a wall, That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, And spills the upper boulders in the sun; And makes gaps even two can pass abreast. Writing at Slate, Shmuel … Continue reading

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Phages

We have a problem with bacteria. They can make us sick. Sure, we have antibiotics, but it turns out the little buggers are smarter than we gave them credit for. They keep changing, making our medicines ineffective. We also have … Continue reading

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Pugilist

Since his campaign headquarters is on the same block as my illustrious place of daytime employ, James Webb‘s thumbnail self-characterization is constantly popping up during my periodic escapes from the asylum.* The former Assistant Secretary of Defense (under Reagan) is … Continue reading

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