Drumbeats category archive
In Security 0
I tend to be skeptical when persons raise concerns about “national security.” Too often that phrase is used to either intrude illegitimately into areas that are nobody’s business or to hide official misconduct or, perhaps more often, official acts of stupid.
Nevertheless, “national security” is a real thing and ignoring or weakening it costs blood and treasure, as when President George the Worst ignored warnings that Osama Bin Laden was determined to attack the U. S.
In The Guardian, Jeffrey H. Smith argues that Donald Trump and his administration are inimical to legitimate national security. Here’s an excerpt:
Second, some of his actions and utterances are so far outside the bounds of responsible presidential conduct that many professionals who serve in the national security agencies lack confidence in him as commander-in-chief. Much damage has been done and whether it can be repaired, and if so how, is not clear.
Do please follow the link.
“We’ve Heard This Song Before” 0
Thom discusses evangelism and evangelical causes and the danger thereof when they become political.
He starts by somewhat awkwardly establishing a premise the Communism was an evangelical movement, that, one that wished to convince persons to follow it to the exclusion of others, and moves on to argue that evangelical movements can lead to crusades. It’s not as polished as his usual presentations, but I think it’s well worth a listen.
Teed Off 0
Will Bunch:
The good news is that the experts still believe, despite the insane rhetoric and threats from both sides, that a nuclear war involving the United States, North Korea, and assorted allies is highly unlikely. In that sense, it’s a little like comedian Steven Wright’s joke about his plan to live forever: so far, so good.
Follow the link.
Image via Job’s Anger.
From Wimp to Warrior 0
Thom discusses “little wars” as a political tactic.
Damage Control 0
Farron describes how members of the Trump administration are trying to clean up the mess after the Trumpler-in-Chief’s warmongering rhetoric about North Korea.
War and Mongers of War 0
Given Donald Trump’s disdain for diplomacy, Tracey Rubin sees more blood in the sand (and the forests, and the cities, and the seas).
President Donald Trump not only wants to slash the State Department’s budget by a third but clearly considers the department unnecessary. His vision of foreign policy revolves around military strikes and arranging mythical “big deals.”
Meantime, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson conducts diplomacy as if he were still the god-head of Exxon Mobil, consulting only a few aides while gutting the department. Most key posts and many crucial ambassadorships remain vacant.
Image via The Bob Cesca Show Blog.
Afterthought:
Big deals.
Right.
Trumpling the Bomb 0
I remember sitting on the side porch in the 1950s and feeling relief that, in the event of World War III, we were within the radius of the nuclear attack that would most certainly be delivered to Norfolk Naval Base, so I would not be around for the aftermath.
If Trump wins, I can comfort myself with that same thought.
Via TPM.
War and Mongers of War 0
Jim Wright hears the war drums. Here’s a bit; follow the link for the rest.
We’ve got to do something. We’ve got to kill some people, man!
War, it’s always the answer.
War, it’s what Jesus would do. That’s what The Decider would do! That’s what Reagan would do! War! War! War!
Boot the “Boots” 1
Drs. Joel Howell and Sanjay Saint think that the phrase “boots on the ground” to mean persons in the military needs to be retired as demeaning and dehumanizing. I certainly do not think of Captain First Son, USA, as a “boot” (though there were times I was inclined to give him one).
Methinks they have a point. Here’s a bit of their column from the Detroit News:
Some will die there. Some will return home injured; many will receive care at VA facilities.
These people have lives, friends, loved ones, and all too often dreams lost and hopes abandoned on account of what happened to them.
“Boots on the ground” implicitly invites the reader to think not about the many individuals who serve, but instead to reduce those people to a single article of clothing, one that in its uniformity belies the many different types of people who wear those boots.
I will give a dollar to a doughnut that most of those who so casually use the phrase “boots on the ground” have not served. They would send the children of others into harm’s way.
Red, White, Blue, and Yellow, Reprise 0
Rick Steves is fed up with cable news; he suggests that television news now foments fear for funding. A snippet.
But times have changed, and now corporations have a legal responsibility to maximize short-term profits for their shareholders. They’ve started sexing up, spicing up and bloodying up the news to boost ratings. And 24/7 news channels have to amp up the shrillness to make recycled news exciting enough to watch.
In a sense, news has become entertainment masquerading as news. Now an event is not news, it’s a “crisis.”
The drek to information ratio of TV news, cable or not, is off the scale.
The last time I watched a television news show was a couple of years ago when we had (I kid you not) a white Christmas. We watched local TV News reporters standing around shocked! shocked! I tell you, that below-freezing temperatures are cold and slippery streets lead to car crashes.
At least their findings were factual.