Pentagon Papers Redux?

No.

With the release yesterday by WikiLeaks of 75 MBs of 92,000 classified military documents about the ongoing war in Afghanistan, many in the media are saying the information, like the release of the Pentagon Papers in 1971, will undermine popular support for the war and make current Obama Administration policy in the region politically untenable.

Cooler heads know war is hell and that no war was ever won by equivocating and second-guessing every tactic and moral choice.  Compromises are made, policies and strategy are reset, and people with common sense know to keep their eyes open and their mouths shut.  Remember the World War II slogan Loose Lips Sink Ships?  Remember the practicality and expediency of Russia as our ally in World War II?

As reported today in The Wall Street Journal:

"That is why it is so disconcerting, if also predictable, to see the usual political suspects seize on the media hullabaloo to claim the Afghan effort is hopeless. The political left, which can't forget Vietnam, is comparing the Wikileakers to Daniel Ellsberg and even the Tet offensive. Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry, who pays close attention to the region and has led the fight for more U.S. aid to Pakistan, nonetheless declared that, 'However illegally these documents came to light, they raise serious questions about the reality of America's policy toward Pakistan and Afghanistan.'

"As informed as he is, Mr. Kerry can't possibly have learned all that much from these documents. His statement is more worrisome as a signal of political panic, a desire to placate his party's growing opposition to President Obama's war effort."

And in The New York Times:

"ANYONE who has spent the past two days reading through the 92,000 military field reports and other documents made public by the whistle-blower site WikiLeaks may be forgiven for wondering what all the fuss is about. I’m a researcher who studies Afghanistan and have no regular access to classified information, yet I have seen nothing in the documents that has either surprised me or told me anything of significance. I suspect that’s the case even for someone who reads only a third of the articles on Afghanistan in his local newspaper."

Watch WikiLeaks' editor Julian Assange, self-proclaimed journalist and activist (and convicted hacker) preen before the digerati at TED, where he describes himself with the messianic analogy that "capable, generous men don't create victims, they nurture them."



For those who make the simplistic argument that the war against the Taliban is unjust and unwinnable, here's a graphic reminder of the stakes.  If that doesn't move you, watch what the Taliban do to their own daughters.

Race

Woo boy, race continues to be a hot button issue in the U.S.  Despite promises (and expectations) of a "post-racial society" with our first black President, race continues to divide many Americans.

Neither party nor its supporters can claim moral high ground on race with partisans exploiting race whenever it suits their purposes.  Some memorable examples: Reverend Wright, Judge Sotomayor, Henry Gates and Van Jones.  Most recently we have the Shirley Sherrod mess where everyone around her acted badly.  The left demonized Andrew Breitbart for his selective video editing, yet the NAACP and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack both called for Sherrod to resign - and she did.  Everybody got it wrong.

But the ensuing, full-throated armchair analysis by the left and right only digs deeper holes.  Until today's opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal by Virginia Senator James Webb.

Titled Diversity and the Myth of White Privilege, Webb gets to the root of contemporary race politics - opportunity, jobs and money:

"Forty years ago, as the United States experienced the civil rights movement, the supposed monolith of White Anglo-Saxon Protestant dominance served as the whipping post for almost every debate about power and status in America. After a full generation of such debate, WASP elites have fallen by the wayside and a plethora of government-enforced diversity policies have marginalized many white workers. The time has come to cease the false arguments and allow every American the benefit of a fair chance at the future.

"I have dedicated my political career to bringing fairness to America's economic system and to our work force, regardless of what people look like or where they may worship. Unfortunately, present-day diversity programs work against that notion, having expanded so far beyond their original purpose that they now favor anyone who does not happen to be white.

"In an odd historical twist that all Americans see but few can understand, many programs allow recently arrived immigrants to move ahead of similarly situated whites whose families have been in the country for generations. These programs have damaged racial harmony. And the more they have grown, the less they have actually helped African-Americans, the intended beneficiaries of affirmative action as it was originally conceived."

In a May post, I lamented, facetiously, the demise of WASPs in America, a cause about as popular as bringing back robber barons.  But eventually reason and logic does need to prevail.  Affirmative action, quotas, and diversity "targets" ignore real merit and only disadvantage another segment of society.  Just ask Arizona.

Lohan Agonistes

For the last 30 years, rarely does a day go by when I don't read The Wall Street Journal editorial page.  So imagine my disgust this morning upon reading an Opinion piece titled Stop Picking on Lindsay Lohan.  To wit:

"Drunk driving is deplorable. Blowing off court-ordered responsibilities and showing up to trial with expletives scrawled on your fingernails is not the way to garner respect. And Ms. Lohan is not above the law.

"But eating disorders, alcoholism, drug addiction and apparent psychological illness should not be laughed at by the American public. Since I can't guarantee that I wouldn't have succumbed to similar demons had I lived a life like Ms. Lohan's, I won't gawk at her condition, and I will root for her to get the help she desperately needs."

I'm not saying Lohan's struggles aren't news to some.  That's why there are papers like the New York Post.  Does Rupert Murdoch know the difference?  It's a big one.

The Beatles

Clever.  By Mozzarellapoppy.

Death Ads

I don't know about this advertisement.

Singing in the Rain

Wow!

Dick Cheney's VAD

The Wall Street Journal reports that Vice President Dick Cheney had surgery yesterday to implant a device to help his heart pump blood.

"In a statement, Cheney said he had a Left Ventricular Assist Device implanted, which he said will improve heart function and enable him to resume an active life. The operation was done at Inova Fairfax Heart and Vascular Institute outside of Washington, D.C.

"In his statement, the former vice president, who is 69 years old, noted that he has dealt with heart disease for decades, having suffered his first of five heart attacks at age 37.

“ 'A few weeks ago, it became clear that I was entering a new phase of the disease when I began to experience increasing congestive heart failure. After a series of recent tests and discussions with my doctors, I decided to take advantage of one of the new technologies available,' he said.

"He said the operation went 'very well' and said he is now recuperating, and thanked those who had included him in their thoughts and prayers."

Readers' comments, even in the Journal, show that politics trump all.

To wit . . .

• Suspicious wrote:  Well on his way to actually becoming Darth Vader. 
• Anonymous wrote: Pumpous ass (and heart) 
• Hell is awaiting Cheney.. wrote:  Hell is preparing a huge cauldron of superheated spiced red hot oil to fry this vermin. The later he goes the hotter the oil would be. 
• Misterra wrote:  Can some enterprising hacker find a way to hack into the pump and shut it off, please? 
• Denman wrote:  Let’s pray that the pump fails. 
• Anonymous wrote: Every heart beat and every breath he should feel like the last one of a man being waterboarded. 
• Andrew wrote: May he die a slow and painful death. Even the worms will stay far away from his vile cadaver.

Some have kinder hearts: 

• E Nelson wrote:  Ah the eloquence of the left. I wish Mr Cheney a speedy recovery.
• If They Only had a Brain wrote:  Of course all clear thinking and intelligent Americans wish Mr. Cheney a speedy recovery and as many long years of retirement as possible. Isn’t it amazing how Conservatives never wish their political foes physical harm or death, only political failure, while the Left is rife with nasty and hateful idiots who take great delight in wishing all sorts of calamity on anyone they don’t like. It’s just another reason why the Left must lie about who they are and cannot tell the truth about Conservatives who, like Mr. Cheney, have a far bigger heart towards their fellow man than do Liberals/Progressives with their constant stream of death wishes. 
• Linda wrote: Wow, I am truly sickened at the responses on here wishing Vice President Cheney ill will. Everyone has their personal opinions of politicians, it is their profession not their life. Judge not lest ye be judged. I am a Cardiovascular Intensive care RN that takes care of patients that have these Left/ Right Ventricular Assist Devices (LVAD’s or RVAD’s) placed and I can tell you that they are not only placed in patients that are wealthy, many of them have been unable to work and live on disability because of their failing hearts. Vice President Cheney I wish you the very best I know this is a complete lifestyle adjustment. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family for the best possible outcome. I am also praying for all of the people on here who have made such distasteful remarks that God works in their lives.

Egg rolls, fire and music

It's another magical summer on Martha's Vineyard.

The West Tisbury Farmers Market on Saturdays never fails to delight with local food, produce, flowers and $250 alpaca hats.  Thi Ken Tran, better known as "The Egg Roll Lady," continues to sell out her yummy egg rolls in the market's opening hours.  I prefer her spring rolls.

Monday marked the opening of the 40th season of the Martha's Vineyard Chamber Music Society at the Edgartown Whaling Church.  Beethoven, Brahms, Bruch, Schuller and Ravel pieces were performed on piano, cello and clarinet.

Earlier that day, firefighters across the island fought a huge blaze that consumed the Coast Guard boat house on Menemsha's harbor.

And last night, The Martha's Vineyard Film Festival  featured a screening of Miracle in a Box, a documentary about the six-month restoration of a 1927 Steinway grand piano.  Neighbor, sheep farmer and piano tuner extraordinare David Stanwood was on hand to answer questions and  introduce Jared Redmond, the lucky guy who won the restored piano in a competition at U CAL Berkeley.  Redmond performed several pieces on stage to close the night.  Sublime.

 

Death and Taxes

Leave it to George Steinbrenner to prove the exception to the death and taxes maxim.

Steinbrenner's heirs will benefit from 2010's one-year repeal of federal estate taxes and will pay no "death taxes" to the federal government.  Next year, the rate for estates worth more than $1 million will be hit with the confiscatory rate of 55 percent.

According to the Washington Post:

"By dying this year, the New York Yankees' billionaire owner found the sweet spot in the U.S. tax code, exiting this earthly world during a year in which a congressional stalemate has allowed the estate tax to lapse, potentially saving his heirs hundreds of millions of dollars.

"Had he died last year and tried to pass his fortune on to his children or grandchildren, they would have faced a 45 percent tax. Had he lived until next year, the rate would have been 55 percent. But Steinbrenner's death this year, like that of three other known billionaires who have died in 2010, gives his heirs a break."

George Steinbrenner, RIP

The Boss turned 80 on July 4 and his death today comes just two days after the passing of 50-year Yankees announcer Bob Sheppard, leaving the Yankees and their fans with many reasons to mourn . . . and to be thankful.  Someone clever quipped that "God must have needed Bob Sheppard to introduce the Boss in heaven."

Love him or hate him, Steinbrenner didn't mince words.

He also turned the Yankees into winners, with 11 pennants and seven World Series championships in 37 years.  Colleague and fellow blogger The Sportslifer, says it best - Yanks for the memories.

Rest in peace.

Bob Sheppard, RIP

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Yankee Stadium.”

Bob Sheppard, New York Yankees announcer for 50 years, dead at 99.  A class act.  RIP.

Hey, Me!

Tomorrow's Senate leadership.

Remember the Warren Beatty flick Bulworth?

Here's the YouTube version.

Bad Hijab

"Get a haircut!" takes on new meaning in Iran.  The country's "Culture Ministry has now banned a number of 'decadent Western cuts' and issued a catalogue of permissible hairdos from which male salon-goers must choose."

The intention is to cut down on "bad hijab" which is considered a threat to Islamic principles.

The most popular cuts?  The Khomeini and the Mahmoud.

$3000 and 75 pounds

That's what it costs and weighs. The Official Major League Baseball Opus book debuts with Tuesday's All-Star Game.  With more than 1,000 photographs and 110.000 words, it's a baseball lover's dream.

According to The New York Times, you won't find the book at your local Boarders bookstore.

"The leather-bound book, “The Official Major League Baseball Opus,” will come out in a limited edition (1,000 copies), packaged in a silk-covered clamshell case. The huge volume is targeted to teams, corporations, wealthy fans, museums and collectors. An abridged, 26-pound version is available for $295.

 "Throughout the book, there are profiles of numerous players — Hall of Famers like Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth, and current superstars like Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols. But the absence from this roster of Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, who have both been accused of using performance-enhancing drugs, is noticeable, if not glaring."

 All I want for Christmas is . . .

Paging George Orwell

Funny how a Democrat administration whose members decried the Patriot Act, wiretapping and other necessary and proven means to protect America from terrorism are now implementing new and sweeping measures by the NSA to monitor the Internet.  Remember the brouhaha about how Bush & Co were infringing on our civil liberties and freedom?  Oh, right, Obama group think is different.

Called Perfect Citizen (an Orwellian term if there ever was one) the program's primary focus is to prevent cyber-terrorism against nuclear facilities, utilities and other key infrastructure.

According to The Wall Street Journal:

"While the government can't force companies to work with it, it can provide incentives to urge them to cooperate, particularly if the government already buys services from that company, officials said."

Provide incentives?  Sounds like Chicago-style politics.

And who comes up with these cheesy logos?  Probably the same person who recently updated the Department of Defense's Missile Defense Agency logo with its much maligned Muslim star and crescent imagery and Obama campaign logo associations.

Ooooh! Ahhhh!

Photo: Steve Kelley

The Coolness

Enter Sandman.  Enough said.

From The New York Times.

"The Yankees’ old guard shined that afternoon. Pettitte allowed no runs in six innings. Jeter homered. Posada hit two doubles. Only Rivera himself was left out, for the Yankees were leading 7-1 going into the top of the ninth. Girardi allowed Dave Robertson, a hard-throwing reliever, to mop up. But Robertson quickly got himself into trouble, falling behind hitters and then having to throw strikes. Perhaps he was having commitment issues. With the bases loaded, Bobby Abreu hit a grand slam. Suddenly it was 7-5, and Robertson was yanked. As the bullpen door swung open and the sound system cued up 'Enter Sandman' and Rivera began jogging toward the mound, the fans went wild. It felt as if Robertson had accepted his role in the drama by pitching badly enough to give Rivera a chance to write his own inimitable conclusion to the afternoon.

"Torii Hunter, one of the Angels’ best hitters, was up with one out. Rivera bent over deeply from the waist, in the almost prayerful gesture with which he begins his windup, and fired a cutter. And then another. And another. He fell behind Hunter, 3-1, and then threw two more cutters past him for a strikeout. Then fate provided the perfect coda for the day in the form of Matsui, the Japanese superstar who had played his entire American career with the Yankees and had come to seem the very incarnation of Yankee professionalism and class — a clutch performer of unshakable sang-froid. If Mariano Rivera were a position player, he would be Hideki Matsui. The fans roared again as Matsui came to the plate. Rivera fired his seventh cutter of the day, jamming the left-handed hitter. Matsui popped out weakly to second to end the game and provide Rivera the 529th save of his career.

"After the game, reporters crowded Rivera’s locker, and he patiently answered questions in English and Spanish — standing up, not sitting in his folding chair, as many players do. Matsui, he said, was a great player, a great guy. The team was looking good. The whole day had been deeply moving. 'It was,' he said, 'special for me.' "

Day 73 . . .

Booze Art

I'm familiar with Beaux-Arts architecture.   But Booze Art is something new.

A company named BevShots takes pictures of alcohol under a microscope and then brings them to canvas, calling their art "an intoxicating blend of art and science."

Here are vodka and scotch.

Rock Stars - Then and Now

Next time you look in the mirror, hopefully you'll find solace in the fact you didn't spend your last 30 or forty years living the sex, drugs and rock and roll lifestyle.

See more rock stars, then and now.

Some have held up really well.  Good genes no doubt.