I can’t figure out how to imbed this, but here’s a music video of soldiers singing “Please Send Some Beer”.
Enjoy!
Archive for March 5th, 2010
There’s a new election on Sunday in Iraq.
Al Jazeera has this article up on the “feel” of people there. (the bold is mine)
Despite shortcomings, misgivings and failures of the political structure established post-2003, it seems that most Iraqi factions have finally become resigned to the fact that this is as good as it gets.
In other words, its like the day you realize you’re over 40 (or 30 or 20 or 60 whenever it hit you) and there’s no point waiting for x,y,z because, you’re all grown up now. It’s time to make your own life.
Good for them! I wish them well.
Here’s the end of the article in case you don’t click through for the whole thing.
Iraqis determined
However, it the most likely significant change to emerge from the elections is the transformation of the overall mood and outlook of the Iraqi people themselves.
Walk the streets of Baghdad, Basra and Mosul and you get a strange sense of determination despite scant public confidence in the political hierarchy or the system that was gradually but almost forcefully imposed upon them since 2003.
The determination lies in the realisation that few nations throughout the world could have survived the trials and tribulations of the past seven years intact; yet the Iraqis, through providence or an indomitable stubbornness, have done just that.
In fact they have lived through nearly four decades of such difficulties even prior to the US-led invasion in 2003. The miserable conditions they have endured continue to persist, but what has changed is that whatever faith was placed in the new rulers or their agents in Iraq has now shifted inward.
There are signs of the re-emergence of that distinguished national spirit which many suspected had become irreparable when Iraq appeared on the verge of civil war in 2006.
The overall voter turnout this weekend might even exceed the expected average of 55-58 per cent.
Most will confess that they vote not in hope that the newly elected will bring about a transformation of fortunes, but rather in resignation that this is yet another tired process they have to endure in their struggle to regain their self-worth, dignity and freedom.
There was a time when I thought that antiabortionists would of course have the courage of their convictions. I mean once you believe it’s murder, the conversation is over. Isn’t it?
Then Ben Nelson introduced me to cynicism.
So when Democrats say they will not vote for the Senate healthcare bill due to not having protections against Federal money spent on abortions, I am not holding my breath.
The Foreign Affairs Committee narrowly approved the resolution with a 23-22 vote, but it remained questionable whether it will be taken to the floor for a full vote in the House of Representatives.
I sincerely doubt this will make it to the floor.
Ed Morrissey is curious what’s going to happen to Eric Holder as he tries to fit under the bus.
The administration suddenly has found a use for military tribunals for the big guys again, vs just the little people at Gitmo.
By overruling Holder after letting him twist in the wind that way, they will have effectively emasculated him to the DoJ staff and humiliated him on the national stage. Obama may not want to get rid of Holder, but it’s hard to see how he can remain at Justice after such a public setback. Either he leaves with some modicum of dignity, or he stays while tacitly admitting that he’s screwed up the biggest issue he was asked to handle.
