One challenge the administration might have is what appears to be a strategic difference with the Iraqi government. Prime Minister Nourish al-Maliki’s office claims that they’ve been living with broken promises and unfilled expectations for ages. In addition, any peace initiative that relies on Sunnis and Shiites shaking hands and hugging seems to build on, pardon the pun, loose sand.
Your intrepid reporter often sits and wonders why people in Washington, mostly in the government, seem dumber than a bucket of hair. Didn’t they know Iraq was a made up country run by a dictator keeping the two clans (Sunni and Shia) quiet? Does anyone remember Yugoslavia (not the car, you idiot)? Usually when you want to do something complex, you start with a measurable objective with timelines, which in Iraq is… who knows anymore. Then you develop a strategic analysis to ensure that you understand how things really are and how badly you can get into trouble. Then things like strategies which give clear direction to people running the operation. I hear that Congress didn’t boo when the prez left. They should have. As far I can tell, I was having more fun as a medical experiment.
Other Stuff
Excuse My Yawning: Mike Tyson was indicted on drug charges and driving while blotto.
And he never shares.
Excuse My Mouth Agape: Matthew Bandy, a teenage kid, has been living through hell charged with having kiddie porn on his computer – that he supposedly downloaded when he was 14. What he was after was real porn and there’s no explanation for how the wrong stuff got on that little hard drive. The kid passed two polygraphs, and, more interesting, computer experts found 200 infected files on his machine — backdoors for hackers. And the kid is facing 90 years in jail.
Excuse me, but are cops now drinking the stupid-water that’s infested D.C.? Anything for a conviction. The problem with this kid is that he’s a goody two shoes, whatever that means. Everybody likes him, shrinks say he’s normal, but why do any real police work when you can gin up a case against a 14-year-old?
There are times it’s tough to be an American. That’s why I say I’m from Lithuania where everyone knows…
In Jameson Veritas
Article comments
1 - D'oh
On the breaking front -
Padilla trial on hold. Remember this guy? An American citizen , held for 3 years with NO trial or habeus corpus rights, now in front of a Florida judge. This should be a real test of the legal assumptions made by the Administration, as well as just how far Rights in the U.S. have been eroded.
Then there's throwing Rice at the Middle East.
And, finally What's up with the Greeks?
Bad craziness all over.
2 - D'oh
And one in the "blast from the past" category - Time to ride the Scooter (Libby).
3 - Bliffle
If 20,000 more US troops standup then 20,000 Iraqi troops can standdown. Maliki should be happy, since standing down seems to be what his army does best.
4 - Mark Schannon
Oh yeah, Scooter Libby. That communist backstabbing Destructo Man hiding out as mild-mannered Clark (The pointer) Kent. And I'd spill the beans about the Greeks, but I'm scared of them.
I think Bliffle has the best idea. Make it sound profound. It's better to sound good than to say good. And now, (it being late 8:30 p.m), it's off to sleep, but of course not after...
In Jameson Veritas
5 - Bliffle
I was just asserting metrical transitivity. Or something. I think.
6 - The Bandy Team
Here's another scathing story about the Bandy case, published January 25.
Doubting Thomas By Sarah Fenske County prosecutors charged a teenager with looking at kiddy porn. Turns out they hadn't done their homework
Thanks,
The Bandy Team