International Consequences

Nov 21st, 2011

The first signs of real and lasting damage abroad as a result of recent police violence against the Occupy Movement here at home are now being seen.

Via ThinkProgress:

"As a part of renewed crackdowns on nonviolent activists in Egypt, the military-run government injured hundreds and killed several people over the weekend.Renowned Arab journalist Sultan Al Qassemi points out on a Twitter that an Egyptian television anchor on state television justified the crackdown by pointing to the crackdowns against Occupy Wall Street in the United States and similar crackdowns in Germany."

Much the way our own servicemen and women are now more likely to be subject to Geneva Convention violations in the wake of the last administration's use of torture, there are broad and lasting consequences here. The U.S. does, after all, still lead the world in many ways. It is time to ask more loudly, "where the Hell is it leading it?"

Quote Of The Day

Sept 12th, 2011

Image via

"How far can you go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without?" 
-- Dwight D. Eisenhower

More Strange Bedfellows

April 10th, 2011

A hat tip to Tea Party proponent and Blog Talk Radio host Mark Gillar. No, really. He and I were recently discussing the Waukesha situation on twitter. Politely, I might add. We may not agree on much, but we agree on the principles of fairness and the rule of law. I would like to see more folks across the spectrum get on board and acknowledge that this is the most important issue here. He is convinced that the outcomes will not be changed by a recount. I am not so sure. But my mistrust is purely political. It is more than possible that Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus is just profoundly incompetent. It would not be the first time an initial appearance of impropriety was simply the topcoat on a pattern of stupidity. The point is this; we both want to turn on the lights.